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."

was a clear refusal, as if she had never harbored any feelings for him at all, as calm

always seen you as a brother, so even if your mother hadn't pressured me into marriage, you and

for a lie,

long silence, Peterson nodded slightly, letting go of her wrist. He straightened his suit and rose

knew her decision was right.

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

as she entered the room. When she declined, suggesting he wait

he looked deep into her eyes. "That day, you said you didn't want to be with me, 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, drawing her closer,

fragrance from his shirt, the love Starry had