A Second Chance at Forever novel (Eleanor and Bernard)

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."

gentle, distant tone was a clear refusal, as if she had never

a brother, so even if your mother hadn't pressured me

her smiling eyes, searching for a lie,

wrist. He straightened his suit and rose from the

walked away, Starry covered her face, crying uncontrollably. She knew her decision was

and, with her sister-in-law Faustina's help, she soon left the heartache behind Starry and Peterson's paths, which had seemed to run parallel, never to cross again, intersected unexpectedly at a cocktail party where someone had laced Peterson's drink with a potent substance. At the party, Starry was also present. Through the crowd, Peterson's eyes found hers. Unable to wait for a

for his restraint, Peterson asked for her consent as soon as she entered the room. When she declined, suggesting he wait for medical

and yet you cried after I left. It's clear you feel unworthy because you've been married and have a child. But, Starry," he said, taking her chin in his hand,

his shirt, the love Starry had kept hidden for years