Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Adela was fuming, her anger practically steaming around her. "I swear, you're under some spell! What's so great about her that you're always in her corner? Out with it, what else did she say about me?"

"It was Gilbert!" Edgar confessed, "It was him who told me! Sherilyn didn’t badmouth you at all!"

At the mention of Gilbert, Adela's expression grew even darker.

"My son, think about it. Sherilyn and Gilbert are divorced. Do you really want to be with a woman like that?"

"What do you mean, 'a woman like that'?"

Edgar was taken aback, then explained, "Sherilyn was adopted by the Johnson family. She and Gilbert weren't husband and wife; they were raised as siblings!"

"Oh, for heaven's sake!"

Adela's blood pressure soared, and she clutched her forehead. "Enough, I don't want to hear it! I will not approve of you marrying a divorcee! Adopted by the Johnson family? Ha, even if she were the president's adopted daughter, it wouldn't make a difference!"

So that's it? No room for discussion?

Edgar paused, then nodded. "Alright, I understand."

Sensing her son's unusual defiance, Adela felt a chill. "What are you planning? Don't tell me you're considering breaking ties with us over her?"

"No." Edgar shook his head. "If I did that, you'd only hate Sherilyn more. I wouldn't be that foolish."

"At least you have some sense!"

"But..." Edgar continued calmly, "Mom, I won't give up on Sherilyn. I truly, deeply care for her. If you really can't accept her, I'm willing to be caught in the middle, to bear this burden. You should rest now, good night."

With that, he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

"Edgar!"

Adela got up abruptly, speechless.

She couldn't believe it. Her normally compliant and obedient son was standing up to her like this!

"Why am I doing all this?"

"No, this won't do!"

Adela clenched her teeth. She had to find a way to drive them apart!

...

Realizing he had misunderstood his parents' vehement opposition to his relationship with Sherilyn, Edgar returned to his room, reached for his phone, and prepared to call Sherilyn.

Then he saw a message from her. Content from NôvelDr(a)ma.Org.

[Edgar, I couldn’t be open at the Johnsons'. Mrs. Ferguson's worries are the same as mine. We're just not right for each other. Please, don't do anything else for me.]

Shock washed over him as he read the message, a cold sweat breaking out. He immediately dialed Sherilyn's number.

"Hello?"

"Sherilyn!"

Edgar gripped the phone, his heart in his throat. "Don't be upset, I've already talked to my mom. Let's make our own decisions about us, okay?"

Hearing his words, Sherilyn could guess he had confronted Mrs. Ferguson again.

Sherilyn introspected.

"I'm sorry, Edgar, it was wrong of me to use you to escape from Gilbert."

Even if it was a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, it was her mistake.

She shouldn't have caused him to have conflicts with his family because of her.

"Don't argue with your family over me. Let's not contact each other anymore."

"Sherilyn..."

Her words pierced Edgar's heart like needles, a pain that bled invisibly.

"Don't..."

"Edgar, I'm sorry, I'm really not worth it. I’m hanging up now. From now on, I won't answer your calls anymore."

With that, she ended the call.

"Sherilyn!"

Edgar was stunned. Without hesitation, he tried to call her back.

But it was in vain. Sherilyn had blocked him.