Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Sherilyn paused, a hint of surprise flickering in her eyes. Had he finally seen the light?

Although slightly puzzled by the sudden shift in his demeanor, the outcome was precisely what she had hoped for.

"Okay," Sherilyn said with a small, pursed-lip smile. "Take care, I'm off."

"You too..."

Edgar Ferguson nodded slightly, stepping out of the car to open the door for her.

Their eyes met, sharing a laugh.

Sherilyn waved at him. "I'm heading in. It's snowing; drive safely."

"I will. Go ahead, I'll wait till you're inside before I leave."

"Okay."

Sherilyn turned and walked away.

The moment she turned, the smile on Edgar's face vanished, leaving behind a depth of emotion in his eyes that couldn't be easily dispelled. Watching her retreating figure, he murmured softly, "Sherilyn, I'll wait for you."

He understood Sherilyn's predicament.

From her point of view, it totally made sense.

As a mother, her daughter had to come first... He couldn't and wouldn't compete with Jenna...

So, all he could do was wait.

Wait for the day Jenna was out of harm's way.

Until then, he couldn't pressure Sherilyn.

His decision to wait was voluntary, independent of her...

Perhaps, by then, Jenna would be better, and Sherilyn and Gilbert wouldn't end up together.

That would be his chance.

And if, contrary to his hopes, Sherilyn and Gilbert did end up together...

Then, he wouldn't have any regrets.

Edgar lifted a corner of his mouth, catching a falling snowflake, "This is my hope for myself." After all, hope remained.

...

Back in her apartment, Jenna had already bathed and gone to bed.

Sophia, however, was still bustling about. Sherilyn noticed the kitchen table was laden with various

vel.se

ingredients, snacks, and g

red...

"What's this?" Sherilyn asked, picking it up but not recognizing it immediately.

"It's paper for window decorations," Sophia explained with a laugh. "Don't you know? Haven't you done it before?"

With that hint, Sherilyn recognized it. "I know, but it's been a long time since I've done it."

As a child living with her grandma, it was an annual tradition. But after moving to the Johnson family, such tasks were left to the servants. And later, in Crestwood, with a tight budget and Jenna to care for such festivities were a luxury.

Sherilyn rolled up her sleeves. "Let me do it."

"Sure."

As Sherilyn opened the package, she reflected, "Christmas' is coming. Time flies."

"Doesn't it just? Once you grow up, time seems to fast forward."

Sherilyn moved to the window, pulled back the curtain, and carefully placed the decoration, smoothing it out. "Makes it look nice," she murmured.

As she let the curtain fall back into place, her gaze paused. She swiftly drew the curtain back for a closer look Down below, a black Bentley was unmistakably parked

From this distance, the license plate was unreadable.

But in this neighborhood, with such a car, who else could it be?

Had Gilbert Johnson arrived? Sherilyn frowned, quickly closing the curtain.

However, her concerns proved unfounded. Her phone remained silent, no calls, no messages.

The doorbell didn't ring either, the night passing peacefully.

As she prepared for bed, Sherilyn couldn't help but wonder if she had been mistaken. Or perhaps it wasn't Gilbert?

The next morning, Sherilyn woke up and saw Jenna was still sleeping. She quietly got up so as not to wake her daughter.

While she was freshening up, there was a knock at the door.

Sophia answered it. "Who could that be, so early..."

Then, with a note of surprise, "Mr. Johnson, it's you."

"Yes." Gilbert stood at the doorway, holding a bag emblazoned with The Velvet Fork logo.

He smiled, "Promised Jenna yesterday."