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.

honest, full of warmth, and completely comfortable in his own skin—a product of

she'd made herself perfectly

don't have to worry about me. Just keep being yourself. If we end up working together again, there's no

it that way, Elodie didn't dwell on it. She

one to mince words

watched as she turned her attention back to the data on her

didn't feel hurt,

let his gaze linger on her profile, fair and focused,

taking things slow wasn't such a bad idea

Watts didn't interrupt her again. He went back to his own tasks, finishing up what needed to be

was heading to her car when she spotted Watts standing by the curb As she approached, he greeted her without missing a beat. "Elodie mind giving me a lift? My car broke

His

from Eldrion Global were

couldn't very well refuse him twice

day, so she nodded.

is fine. Just drop

but decided not

back toward the Global Trade Plaza, Watts didn't let any awkwardness linger. He steered clear of personal topics and