For a moment, a strange thought crossed my mind, which made my breath hitch, but the next second, I jerked that thought out from my mind, as my eyes lay on Edward, and before I could stop myself, the words spilled out of my mouth, "Let’s talk outside."
No doubt, there were several problems surrounding me and my loved ones, but seeing Sophia in that state sparked something in me. I did not know whether it was sympathy or a strange sense of responsibility, but I could not look away. Thɪs chapter is updated by N0veI.Fiɾe.net
It was as if her pain had quietly tied itself to mine, but to subsidize her pain, I need to know the roots of it. This was the reason I wanted to have a good talk with Edward.
Edward was facing mine, so I could not see his expression right away. The moment those words left my mouth, an awkward silence spread across the room.
Only Emma and Sophie’s slow breathing echoed through the thin walls. I gulped down the lump forming in my throat as I explained further, "I know you might not want to share anything with a stranger, but..."
Before I could utter another word, Edward turned, making the remaining words stuck in my throat. There was no expression on his face like before, but this time he did not need anything to express because the tears in his eyes did that for him.
I froze in my position, not able to comprehend that the person who did not show any personal emotion while taking care of Sophie was now in such a state.
I opened my mouth to say something...anything, but nothing came out of my mouth. Instead, this time he walked out of the room. I blinked as reality hit me, as I followed him back.
The moment I entered the hall, Edward stood there in the middle, his shoulders slumped. I stopped at the doorway, hesitant to get close to him. All the rehearsed questions in my mind faded away in the next moment.
I started to regret why I even asked him to talk when he was in such a state. That’s when his voice fell into my ear, "It triggered her. Your story."
My heart skipped a beat as he confirmed what I was already thinking.
He took in a deep breath, but did not turn, matching my gaze instead, and continued speaking, "She herself was an orphan like Emma, and her life was never better until her adoptive parents took her in."
I slowly took steps in his direction, as his side face started to appear. Tear marks beneath his eyes that told me everything that some words could ever express.
He again said, his voice slightly breaking, "But God...He also took that sole reason for her happiness when she was just a college student. She fell into depression almost as if..." His sudden pause made me stop in my tracks, unsure how to respond to this sudden action.
I slowly put my hand on his shoulder as I tried to remain calm. He sighed disappointedly, palming his face, "I wish I could have been there with her at that time...I wish I had supported her to overcome those depressing and overwhelming feelings."
His shoulders started to tremble as more tears spilled from his eyes. Without any hesitation, I gripped his shoulder as firmly as I spoke my words, "No, don’t think like that, Edward. Though at first, she did not get the support she needed, but now..."
I took in a long, deep breath, as my own heart started to overwhelm seeing his reaction, "But are you here now...with her. I saw how you took care of her, made her feel comfortable, warm, and most of all loved."
His gaze finally shifted in my direction as confusion and surprise were evident from his expression, "Really?"
In that moment, it felt as if the weight of all his guilt and pain had lifted, not completely, but just a little.
The tension in his shoulders eased, and his trembling slowed a bit. For the first time, I saw a flicker of relief behind his tear-filled eyes.
I squeezed his shoulder gently, letting him feel the truth in my words. "Yes, Edward, it’s true. Though it’s been just a few hours, all the things you did gave evidence of your true and pure love for her."
At last, I just whispered out, "I know the feeling of giving everything to your loved ones. To be there for them in their every sad or depressing moment. And trust me, you are doing way better than most men would ever do for their partners."
He stared at me for a moment before the corner of his lips curved up, as he shook his head, "Now, I know why Sophie was so insistent about helping you. You talk like you have also been through this."
His words caught me off guard. I opened my mouth, but no words came out of it as I did not have any words to give him a reply.
Somewhere, he was not telling a lie. I have been in the same place as he was now. Constantly waiting for that one person. Wanting to be available for them twenty-four seven.
I also gave my all, maybe even more than I should have, but there came a time when I had nothing left to offer. Meanwhile, the other person never matched our effort.
You all know exactly who I was talking about. I looked back at him and gave him a small smile in reply.
"I think you should go back into the room." Edward glanced in the bedroom’s direction, "It’s late. You should rest."
This time, I did not argue and nodded as I walked into the room. He was right, I was too exhausted to even open my eyes. The moment my head hit the pillow, I went into a deep slumber.
Just when I thought it was all peaceful, someone’s voice fell into my ear, "Elena? Mommy! Elena, wake up!"