Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Taken by surprise at Edgar's clear yet reckless excitement, Sherilyn felt urged to say something. “I know it sounds low, but I'm not Lara, and this isn't Crestwood. The effort you put into me won’t get the response you're hoping for.”

“At least I would have tried,” Edgar shrugged, his eyes burning with a fierce determination. “If I don't even dare to make an effort for the girl I want, I don't deserve to talk about love.”

He ended with a raised eyebrow and a smirk, “Who knows what the future holds, right?”

The following day, during the dance troupe's lunch break, Sherilyn visited the hospital where she had previously gotten her medication. Thanks to Joyce's recommendation, the doctor was well- informed about her situation and took good care of her.

“Ran out of meds?” the doctor asked upon seeing Sherilyn.

“No, that's not it.” After things with Ernest didn't work out, she hardly took any of the prescribed medication.

“So, what brings you here today?” the doctor gestured for her to sit down and talk.

“Okay.” Sitting down, Sherilyn voiced her concerns. “I haven't taken much of the medication. But lately, it seems my symptoms have improved somewhat. If faced with no aggressive behavior, my reactions aren't severe. But sometimes, I feel like I can't control it.”

“Is that so? Tell me more.” After Sherilyn explained, the doctor said, “From what you've described, your condition seems to be improving, meaning your body is learning to discern whether an environment is safe.”

He suggested, “How about undergoing treatment? It might even cure you completely.”

Treatment? Psychotherapy was expensive.

Sherilyn declined with a smile. “No, thank you, doctor.”

The doctor nodded. “Fine, but if you change your mind, come to me.”

“Will do, thank you.” Sherilyn thanked the doctor with a smile.

Leaving the hospital, Sherilyn covered her eyes with her hand. The cost was one thing holding her back, but the other thing was, therapy would no doubt make her relive her past. And she never wanted to remember those days again.

At five in the afternoon, since Sherilyn had just joined the dance troupe and hadn't got any performances yet, she could leave work on time. Changing her practice clothes, she left the dance studio and turned toward the subway station.

“Sherilyn!” Turning around, she saw Edgar, his face beaming as he jogged toward her.

Sherilyn asked, surprised, “What are you doing here?”

“Came to pick you up from work.” Edgar's smile didn't waver, but he added, “Don't look around. Just look at me.”

Huh? Sherilyn was puzzled. “What's going on?”

Edgar explained in a low voice, “Gilbert's car is at the corner.”

What? Sherilyn's heart skipped a beat. Was Gilbert still not giving up?

Edgar stepped closer and leaned in slightly. From a distance, they appeared very close.

He whispered in Sherilyn's ear, “I guess Gilbert doesn't believe we're together.”

But that was the truth.

“Good thing, I saw his move coming.” Edgar grinned somewhat proudly. “I thought I'd pick you up and make our act convincing. Sherilyn, smile for him, will you?” NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

Huh? At first, Sherilyn didn't feel like smiling, but his teasing made her laugh. She didn't just smile. She laughed out loud, genuinely and joyfully.