Chapter 34: Confronting His True Feelings

"Why? Did something happen to Cecily?" Archie's immediate reaction was concern for Cecily.

"She's fine," Edwin replied, but his mind returned to the woman he had met earlier, the one who had called him a "reproductive animal." He had been somewhat irritated at the time, but now, he couldn't seem to muster any anger. In fact, he found himself thinking of her.

"So why give her up? Why look for someone new?" Archie was growing drowsy, likely nearing bedtime, and his thoughts were muddled.

"Just do as I say," Edwin replied without offering an explanation.

"Are you ordering me?" Archie joked, trying to make light of the situation. He found it all quite incredulous, and his drowsiness had vanished.

Edwin looked at him. "You can interpret it that way."

Archie hesitated for a moment before he asked, "Are you in love with her, by any chance?" He couldn't believe it, but it was the only reason he could fathom for Edwin's change in plans.

There was another long pause. The room became eeril