A Second Chance at Forever (Eleanor and Bernard) novel Chapter 1504

After lingering by the hospital room for what seemed like an eternity, Peterson mustered the courage to pull up a chair beside the bed and slowly took a seat.

The moment he sat down, their eyes inevitably met. Starry, feeling the weight of the moment, cast her gaze downward, unable to meet his stare. Peterson, however, reached out, gently grasping her wrist.

"You’re divorced now, do you want to be with me?"

Starry's eyes welled up with tears as she looked down at his slender fingers resting on her wrist. Touched by his offer despite her broken state, she wondered how she, a divorced woman with a child, could possibly deserve a man like Peterson, who'd never even been touched by scandal.

"Peterson." Her voice was light, almost teasing as she pushed his hand away.

"I think it's better if I just stay your little sister."

She didn't put herself down, but her gentle, distant tone was a clear refusal, as if she had never harbored any feelings for him at all, as calm as a passing cloud.

"I've always seen you as a brother, so even if your mother hadn't pressured me into marriage, you and I could never have been together."

Peterson peered into her smiling eyes, searching for a lie, but found them serene, undisturbed.

After a long silence, Peterson nodded slightly, letting go of her wrist. He straightened his suit and rose from the chair, "Forget what I said just now."

As Peterson walked away, Starry covered her face, crying uncontrollably. She knew her decision was right. A man like Peterson deserved someone better.