“Sherilyn, say something, please! I need to know the truth!”
Seeing her struggle to speak, Edgar had his suspicions but dared not confirm them. “You said you couldn’t move…”
What could make someone unable to move?
“Did my mom… did she feed you something nasty?”
Sherilyn’s eyes flickered, her lips parting slightly.
That’s it! Edgar felt a jolt in his heart, his pupils suddenly narrowing.
He didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “So that’s what this is! It all adds up now!”
He should have realized sooner….
Before, Gilbert had been pestering Sherilyn relentlessly, but Sherilyn had no intention of being with him!
Not only that, Sherilyn seemed genuinely scared of him!
And then, suddenly, everything about Sherilyn changed!
What was he doing at the time?
Edgar closed his eyes tightly, filled with regret and remorse… He really messed up!
Not only did he fail to manage his family affairs, he was oblivious to what his mother was up to…
And he was so selfish and cowardly, only concerned with his own grief, never considering Sherilyn’s perspective!
“So…”
Now, he had figured it all out.
Edgar’s voice was hoarse, “That time, Gilbert took advantage of you when you were too weak…”
Sherilyn’s silence was an acknowledgment.
Upon learning the whole truth, Edgar felt as if his heart was being torn apart. He raised his hand, hesitated, and then gently placed it on her shoulder. “Sherilyn, I’m so sorry, so sorry…” He repeated, over and over.
Though he knew well that apologies couldn’t change what had happened, he couldn’t help but say them.
He looked down at her, thinking, if only he could have persuaded his mother, then he and Sherilyn wouldn’t be in this situation!
“Sherilyn, Gilbert…”
“Edgar.”
thought guessing his
lifted a wry smile.
“Don’t
worry about me, I’m fine. Whate
happened with him… was
consensual. He didn’t force me.”
Really?
Edgar was doubtful. Was Sherilyn just saying this to make him feel less bad?
But Sherilyn didn’t know… he couldn’t be fine.
If she was the slightest bit unhappy, he would never be okay!
However, since Sherilyn put it that way, Edgar didn’t argue.
Following her lead, he managed a smile, “As long as you’re okay… that’s all that matters.”
“Yeah.”
Sherilyn nodded with a smile, “The same goes for you. You should also be happy.” “Sherilyn!”
Edgar suddenly found it hard to breathe, overwhelmed by pain.
Suddenly, he bent down, spreading his arms, and hugged Sherilyn tightly.
“Promise me, if… if you’re not happy,
if Gilbert treats you poorly, you have to tell me! We might not be lovers, but
e still friends!” Contest
With tears welling up in her eyes, Sherilyn choked out a promise, “Okay, I’ll remember…”
Footsteps approached, steady and forceful.
At the door, Caroline was holding her phone. Seeing the arrival, she smiled and went to greet him, “Gilbert, you’re here.”
She had sent the pictures to Gilbert just a moment ago.
“Yeah.”
Gilbert nodded slightly, his expression unreadable.
Caroline didn’t say much else, just pointed towards the lounge door, “Go ahead, I’ve got things to do.”
“Yeah.”
Gilbert nodded again and pushed the door open to enter.
Then, seeing the two of them embracing and shedding tears, his expression quickly darkened, a storm brewing in his eyes that seemed to swallow him whole.
He forced a smile, his voice cold, “What’s going on here? What is this…?”