Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Francis' expression was a mix of shock and urgency upon hearing the news.

He mumbled something under his breath, his eyebrows furrowed as he scrambled to find the right words.

This left Edgar feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Chill out," Caroline intervened, patting his hand reassuringly. "Edgar's here because Sylvia gave her blessing. You can relax."

She then turned to Edgar with an apologetic smile. "Francis, being the protective older brother he is, just worries a lot. He treats Sherilyn as if she were his own sister. Of course, he's going to be a bit on edge knowing she's got a boyfriend now. Don't take it personally."

"Of course," Edgar replied with a smile, understanding the situation.

He then looked directly at Francis. "Fran, trust me, my intentions with Sherilyn are genuine. I'll take good care of her."

Francis calmed down, though his eyebrows didn't fully relax.

...

After leaving the hospital room, Caroline escorted them to the entrance. "I've got to take care of Francis, so I can't see you out. Thanks for coming over!" she said.

"No problem at all," Edgar responded. "You better head back in. Sherilyn and I will leave now."

"Alright."

After the hospital room door closed, Sherilyn was silent.

"Sherilyn?" Edgar waved his hand in front of her face, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Penny for your thoughts? You seemed miles away."

"It's nothing," Sherilyn replied, shaking her head slightly.

She just felt there was something odd about Caroline... as if there was something going on between her and Francis. But she brushed off the thought. Francis was awake now, and she believed whatever it was, he could handle it. The truth about the past could wait until Francis was better.

"Let's get going," she suggested.

"Sure thing."

Edgar drove Sherilyn back to Serenity Street. As they passed through the bustling downtown area, traffic slowed to a crawl. Sherilyn, leaning against the car window, suddenly perked up. "Mmm, smells amazing."

"What do you smell?" Edgar asked, amused, since the car windows were up. NôvelDrama.Org (C) content.

"Look over there," she pointed towards a street vendor not too far away. "They're selling roasted chestnuts. That scent is unforgettable."

"Let me check it out."

Once the light turned green, Edgar didn't drive off but instead pulled over near the roasted chestnut stand.

"What are you doing?" Sherilyn asked, as he unbuckled his seatbelt.

Edgar raised an eyebrow playfully. "Getting roasted chestnuts, of course."

With that, he stepped out of the car.

"Hey!" Sherilyn hesitated for a moment before following him.

Sure enough, there was a line at the stand. Edgar, towering above most in the queue, waved Sherilyn over.

"Just a sec, it'll be our turn soon!"

Sherilyn couldn't help but smile. She had only mentioned it in passing.

In the crowd, Edgar's height was hard to miss. Sherilyn counted down the people ahead of him, "Six to go...now five..."

Her thoughts drifted to Jenna, who also adored chestnuts, though she was only allowed two pieces each time due to digestion concerns. Sherilyn longed to reunite with Jenna after her upcoming surgery so they could be together again.

When Sherilyn was lost in thought, it was suddenly Edgar's turn.

"I'll have the maple-glazed ones," he said.

"Right away," the vendor replied with a smile. "Lucky you, it's the last serving of the maple-glazed."

"Oh, is it the last one?"

A girl peeked over Edgar's shoulder, and the vendor confirmed, "Yes, the last serving goes to this gentleman here."