Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

If it hadn't been for the news about Caroline's miscarriage...

Really? Sherilyn offered a wry smile, a gesture that spoke volumes of her disbelief. The Sherilyn of the past might have bought such words, but the woman she was at the moment? Not a chance.

She gestured toward the door. "So, can I leave now?"

"Sure." Gilbert nodded slightly. "Go ahead."

"Goodbye." After a casual wave, Sherilyn slung her bag over her shoulder and started for the door. Her steps were light at first but picked up pace until she was running, the thrill of freedom pumping through her veins.

Panting from the rush, Sherilyn barely caught her breath when she spotted Edgar stepping out of his car. "Sherilyn!"

"Edgar!" She couldn't help but beam at him, sprinting his way.

Right then, Sherilyn desperately needed a friend to share in her joy.

Once she reached him, Edgar instinctively reached out as if he would catch her if she stumbled. "Be careful."

"I'm fine!" Sherilyn gritted her teeth, a clear contradiction to the broad smile on her face. "I'm just so happy! I can't believe how thrilled I am!"

"Yeah, I see that." Edgar's gaze softened, a smile touching his lips as he took in her tearful happiness. Was that what they called crying out of sheer joy?

Unable to hold back any longer, Sherilyn covered her face, her shoulders shaking with sobs.

"Sherilyn?" Edgar was at a loss, unsure of how to comfort her.

Frantically, he rummaged through his pockets for a tissue, only to remember he didn't have any. "Just wait, okay?"

He scrambled to his car, fetched a pack of tissues, and handed them to her. "Sherilyn, here." Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

"No, I don't want them!" Sherilyn sobbed, shaking her head. "I want to cry, to let it all out..."

So, Edgar stopped trying to hold her back. He might not fully grasp what she was going through, but he could understand the relief of ending a loveless marriage that was only a shell of what it once promised to be.

"Cry then." Edgar said softly, "I'm here with you."

...

Gilbert watched them from a distance, a fleeting observation that unimpressed him. With a sigh, he turned away, his interest waning. "David, let's go."

David received the order. "Alright."

As they drove off, Gilbert saw Edgar gently dabbing at Sherilyn's tears, treating her with the delicacy of something fragile.

...

At Lightning Dance Troupe, after several days of getting to know her, Daphne finally made plans for Sherilyn. "Here, get ready to start practicing. You'll be leading Group D in the Sea Breeze Swing."

Daphne's casual remark hit Sherilyn like a thunderbolt, leaving her stunned and hard to believe.

"What's wrong?" Daphne frowned. "You don't want it?"

Sherilyn snapped back to reality. "No, that's not it at all!"

The idea of leading was far from unwelcome.

"Ms. Hansen..." Sherilyn voiced her concern, "I've just joined the troupe. Wouldn't this cause some discontent?"

Daphne chuckled. "That's for you to handle. If you're worried about not being accepted, prove yourself through your dance!"

Sherilyn tried to say something else, "But..."

"What now?" Daphne raised an eyebrow. "If you're going to be hesitant, are you planning to stay in the background forever? If that's the case, you might as well leave. The last thing I need here is someone to fill in the gaps!"