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.

his

herself perfectly clear, and as for

have to worry about me. Just keep being yourself. If we end up working together again, there's no need to feel

way, Elodie didn't dwell on it.

never one to mince

turned her attention back to the data

feel hurt,

on her profile, fair and focused, a faint

wasn't such a

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

standing by the curb As she approached, he greeted

bit skeptical. His

Eldrion Global were

Watts looked completely unfazed. She couldn't very well

she nodded.

smoothly. "Anywhere on your way is fine. Just drop me

but decided not to press

back toward the Global Trade Plaza, Watts didn't let any awkwardness linger. He steered clear of personal topics and instead chatted about work-topics he knew Elodie