Xavier leaned back on the sofa, the bitterness in his eyes deepening. During their time in Kingston, he had seen firsthand the depth of Mansfield''s feelings for Eleanor-passionate, bold, and without reservation. Unlike him, who was held back by his own hesitations, Mansfield just needed a nod from Eleanor to give her the world.


    Seeing the sadness in Xavier''s eyes, Henry ran a hand through his hair. "So, does that mean neither you norn have a chance?"


    Xavier rubbed his brow and shook his head. "Not necessarily. It all depends on Eleanor''s choice. She''s not someone who cares about family background."


    "With Mansfield''s credentials, if he''s actively pursuing her, I find it hard to believe Eleanor wouldn''t be moved," Henry countered.


    "I''m out of the running. We''ll see whatn can do," Xavier said, then picked up the nearest bottle and started drinking straight from it.


    "Whoa, whoa!" Henry quickly grabbed the bottle. "You''ve had enough for tonight. Stop drinking."


    They talked for a little while longer. When Henry saw it was already one in the morning, he helped Xavier up. "Come on, it''s gettingte."


    Xavier was a bit drunk. He held his head. "I''ll just get a room at a nearby hotel. I''m not going home."


    His assistant came to pick him up.


    As Henry waited for his own ride, he stood under the cool night air, the breeze clearing his head. He stood under a streetlight, trying to sort through his chaotic thoughts.


    The shattering of a seven-year obsession brought not just pain, but also a liberating sense of new beginnings.


    He took out his phone. Even though it was past one in the morning, he couldn''t resist finding her on WhatsApp and typing a message.


    *Selma, are you asleep?*


    Realizing the time, he gave a wry smile and put his phone back in his pocket. But a secondter, it vibrated.


    He pulled it out almost instantly. Selma Quigley had replied.


    *It''s the middle of the night. Why are you sending random messages and waking me up?*


    Even though it was aint, Henry''s heart soared. He stood there, grinning like an idiot.


    *You''re not awake because you were thinking of me, were you?* he typed, then tried to salvage some dignity. *Sorry to bother you.d can''t sleep.content


    *Why can''t you sleep? Heartbroken?* Selma replied, a hint of teasing in her tone.


    *I want to confess my feelings to a girl, but I''m worried she''ll reject me, so I can''t sleep.*


    This time, Selma didn''t reply


    immediately. Henry watched as


    "typing..." appeared and disappeared


    at the top


    pounding


    the chat, his heart


    with each sh.


    Had she misunderstood?


    After a moment, a new message popped up: *If you like someone, you should just


    tell them. Otherwise, you might miss your chance.*


    Henry''s heart hammered against his ribs. He took a deep breath and typed, letter by letter: *If that girl were you, would you reject me?*


    He hit send.


    He stared at the screen, his heart beating like a drum. Was he being too direct? Did he scare her off? Would she think he was being flippant?


    Regret washed over him. He frantically tried to unsend the message, but it was toote.


    Just as his anxiety reached its peak, his phone vibrated again.


    Selma''s reply was simple. Just two words.


    *I wouldn''t.*


    Henry blinked, rereading the screen to make sure he wasn''t imagining it. A.wave of euphoria washed over him, and he almost jumped for joy,


    ing like a fool.


    fo