How a Dying Woman Rewrote Her Epilogue

Chapter 440

Elodie had no intention of giving Watts any false hope. She cut straight to the point, her words clear and direct.

Watts wasn't surprised. After spending time with her, he'd learned enough about Elodie's personality to expect as much. He wasn't the type to pine away in silence, nor did he see rejection as some world-ending event. If he liked someone, he believed he should also respect their right to follow their own heart -whether that meant saying yes, or no.

So-

Watts looked at her, eyes soft. "I understand."

"Feelings aren't something you can force just by confessing them. If I can't show you I'm sincere, why should I expect you to accept me?"

Elodie considered this before replying, "Mr. Aldridge, it's not about testing you. I really just don't have those kinds of feelings for anyone right now. It isn't personal."

Watts could tell she wasn't trying to string him along; even her rejection left no room for ambiguity.

But-

Wasn't that part of what made her so admirable?

He didn't feel discouraged. Instead, he smiled, his expression easy and open. "Alright. Then, can I ask you to temporarily forget that I said I want to pursue you? Let's just be friends. If you start avoiding me because of this, I'll admit, I'd be a little sad."

Elodie had never met a man quite like Watts before.

comfortable in his own skin—a product of growing

made herself perfectly clear,

tilting his head with a carefree shrug. "You don't have to worry about me. Just keep being yourself. If we end up working together again, there's no need to feel guilty about turning me down. You don't owe me anything, and I promise, it's really

didn't dwell

mince words or drag things

she turned her attention back

feel hurt, not

on her profile, fair and focused, a faint smile tugging at his

taking things slow wasn't such a bad

was still work to be done, and Watts didn't interrupt her again. He went back to his own tasks, finishing up what

approached, he greeted her without missing a beat. "Elodie mind giving me a lift? My car broke down and

His assistant, driver,

Global were

unfazed. She couldn't very

day, so she nodded. "Sure. Where

smoothly. "Anywhere on your way is fine. Just

but decided not to press the

Watts didn't let any awkwardness linger. He steered clear of personal topics and instead chatted about work-topics he knew Elodie cared about. She responded thoughtfully,