Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Chapter 84

After completing their orders, the two of them remained inside the room, exchanging laughter and

banter while eagerly awaiting the arrival of Edward

A few minutes later, they heard some commotion at the door.

Natalie nudged Sherri beside her, urging her to get up and suggesting going out for a meal first.

Now feeling a hint of unease, Sherri found her smile freezing on her face. “Natalie, I suddenly feel a bit

lightheaded. Please tell Edward that I’m not feeling well”

Natalie raised an eyebrow, her thoughts racing. “She’s going to pull off this act?”

But realizing Sherri’s genuine fear, Natalie decided to play along and not expose her ruse.

She powered down the computer. set it aside, and made her way out of the room. As she caught sight

of the man’s shoulders, still glistening with water droplets, “Has it been raining outside?

Edward’s voice, as soothing as ever, filled the room. “Yeah, it’s pouring out there. Thankfully, I parked

the car in the basement, so it didn’t get wet.”

Natalie swiftly entered the bathroom, retrieved a dry towel, and offered it to Edward. “Here, give

yourself a quick wipe. Your clothes seem to have gotten a little damp.”

Edward accepted the towel with a smile, using it to pat dry his shoulders. He then turned around and

inquired, “Is my back

wet?”

She took the towel from his hands and gently dried his back without hesitation. “All taken care of”

Edward seemed momentarily puzzled but quickly regained his composure. He asked. “And what about

Sherri?”

Knowing that she couldn’t deceive Edward, known for his kindness and honesty. “Um, well, Sherri isn’t

feeling well.”

Upon hearing her answer, Edward immediately grasped the situation. He called out to the guest room,

lus voice firm and resolute. “Sherri, you have one minute to come out or face the consequences”

Sherri swiftly recovered from her illness and dashed out of the room, calling out in a low voice,

“Edward,” with her head bowed to convey her acknowledgment of wrongdoing, much like a repentant

child.

Natalie stepped in to defuse the impending explosion, attempting to alleviate the tension. “Why don’t

we grab a bite and have a detailed conversation afterward?”

Edward shot Sherri a stern glance. “We’ll discuss this later.”

Behind Edward, Sherri gestured to Natalie, silently conveying that she would be saved later. Natalie

couldn’t help but think that she might also face a lecture. After all, crossing a muddy river was no easy

feat. She shrugged her shoulders, accepting the situation.

Unbeknownst to Edward, the two girls engaged in a silent mime performance behind him.

Natalie put great effort into her evening cooking, showcasing her culinary prowess.

A subtle haze of tension dissipated as Edward laid eyes on the table laden with an array of

mouthwatering dishes. Grilled salmon fillet, grilled steak, roasted turkey, buttered lobster, garden salad

with ranch dressing, creamy potato soup. The extensive menu offered ample portions to satiate their

hunger.

Sherri secretly observed Edward’s expression, noting a slight easing of his demeanor. It brought her a

small sense of relief. reaffirming the power of Natalie’s culinary prowess in defusing tense situations.

Natalie warmly beckoned Edward. ‘Please help yourself to more.”

Edward shook his head, a soft smile playing on his lips. “You girls are using sugary ammunition on me,

aren’t you? Is that man who impregnated Sherri, not a decent person?”

Sherri fell into a stunned silence.

Natalie was left speechless.

Sherri tried to diminish her presence, bowing her head and slowly picking at her food, counting each

morsel she brought to her mouth. As long as Edward remained silent, the meal would lose its savory

appeal.

Natalie felt the weight of responsibility pressing on her. She couldn’t let Sherri take all the blame or

make decisions on her behalf. She found herself caught in a dilemma.

Determined, she decided to address the issue directly and shoulder the responsibility herself. “Edward,

I need to come clean about something. I’m the one who should be held accountable for what happened

to Sherri”

Sherri wanted to speak up in her defense, but a meaningful look from Natalie silenced her.

Assuming that Natalie was defending Sherri, Edward refrained from speaking up.

Natalie continued, “On January 2nd. I went to the Foster family to retrieve my late mother’s belongings.

Sherri insisted on accompanying me, fearing for my safety. However, we were unknowingly subjected

to a malicious act. The culprit tampered with the entire table, drugging all the guests, including older

people and children. We let our guard down, and as a result, we lost consciousness. During that time, I

failed to protect Sherri. It’s entirely my fault.”

She chose not to disclose to Edward that Mia was behind this incident. After all, the matter had been

resolved, and they eagerly anticipated the outcome the following day.

Edward had yet to anticipate this explanation. He assumed Sherri had brought a child from some

reckless affair. If that were the case, he would also share the responsibility for not caring for them

properly. Upon his return, he had been preoccupied. with company matters, neglecting to offer

sufficient care and attention to the two girls, ultimately leading to the current situation.

Now that Sherri was affected, and Natalie… The realization struck him, causing a moment of hesitation

before he mustered the courage to ask.

“So… were you affected too? Are you alright?”

Each passing moment seemed to stretch as he tightly gripped his fork, holding his breath in

anticipation.

Natalie struggled to find the right words, pausing briefly to collect her thoughts. She had always

regarded Edward as an older brother figure, imbued with a sense of reverence. She wanted to carefully

choose her words before responding.

Sherri couldn’t contain her urgency as she hastily interjected, “Yes, Natalie is pregnant too. We’re both

expecting.”

A thunderous roar reverberated through Edward’s mind, leaving him stunned and motionless. It felt as

if his soul had been wrenched from his body. His gaze remained fixed on the girl before him,

desperately seeking confirmation in her expression.

He moistened his parched lips and felt a constriction in his throat. “Is what… Sherri saying, truly

happening?”

Now it was Natalie’s turn to resemble a child caught in a transgression. She lowered her head, her fork

idly twirling in her hand, and gave a solemn nod.

As the weight of the revelation settled upon Edward, a suffocating sensation enveloped his chest.

Though he was not an avid smoker, he stood up to gather his thoughts and maintain a facade of

composure. “I need some fresh air. I’ll step out onto the balcony. You two continue eating.”

Edward pushed the balcony door open, seeking solace and a moment to gather his emotions in

solitude.

Left alone in the dining room, the two girls exchanged perplexed glances, unsure how to proceed. They

shared a common understanding. Edward’s apparent anger stemmed from both of them being

pregnant. Their minds were consumed with the belief that he was struggling to accept this unexpected

news without delving into other possibilities.

Feeling a sense of unease, they found it difficult to continue eating without Edward’s presence. Instead,

they chose to wait for

him.

Sherri turned her gaze toward Edward, who was engrossed in his cigarette on the balcony. Then, she

leaned toward Natalie and asked, “Do you think Edward will confront us later?”

Natalie shook her head, witnessing Edward in such a distracted state for the first time. It was genuinely

uncertain what actions he might take next. All they could do was wait for his return and gauge his

reaction. Hence, she shook her head, indicating her lack of certainty.

Sherri slumped back in her chair, deflated like a balloon losing air. “What do we do now? If Edward

refuses to help, it will be quite a predicament. I truly wish that Mia would also face the consequences,

but not at the hands of Trevon. Let her taste the helplessness we’re experiencing That vindictive

woman.“

Natalie concurred wholeheartedly. That woman had no moral boundaries, showing no mercy to the

young or the elderly. At this point, she was too overwhelmed to care about anyone else. Natalie knew

she wasn’t perfect, struggling to navigate her life’s complexities.

Life was a jumble of complications.

After a brief pause,

Edward regained his composure, returning to his usual refined and composed demeanor. He calmly sat

as if nothing had transpired and casually inquired, “What are your intentions moving forward?”

He casually speared a piece of food with his fork while posing a fair question.

However, his discontent was palpable as he ate, indicating a lack of pleasure in the dining experience.

Both girls perked up instantly upon being addressed. Natalie took the initiative, asserting, “I’ve decided

to keep.”

Edward’s hand slowed its movement as he delicately picked up a piece of food, his throat tightening as

he swallowed. There was a hint of emptiness in his eyes, “Have you considered telling that man?”

Natalie paused, momentarily taken aback by the inquiry, before regaining her composure. The child is

mine, and he has no connection to it. I desire to have a family of my own.”

Edward’s response burst forth before he could contain it, his voice filled with hope and desperation,

“We can be your family if you wish 1

Sensing Edward’s building excitement. Sherri hastily interjected, “Edward, Natalie wishes to have a

blood relative, a family of her own. She doesn’t want to be alone”

Edward yearned to assure her she wouldn’t be alone and could have a family whenever desired.

But he understood Natalies strong-willed nature Once she had decided, it was nearly impossible to

sway her. She possessed

inwavering determination that others words couldn’t easily influence.

Edward refrained from any further persuasion.

He discreetly tightened has grip on the hand under the table and turned his attention to Sherri “And

what about you? Do you have any plans to keep it as well”

Sherri w

momentarily stunned, unused to Edward’s genuine interest in her desires Juana had long dictated their

familial mics, with Edward acting as the authoritative figure. The decisions were made without much

consultation, assuming was best for her had already been determined. However, at that moment, she

couldn’t help but recall the genuine care and occasional warmth Edward had shown her over the years

Edward, noticing her hesitation, perusted with a touch of impatience “Come on, don’t be tongue-tied”

Sherr took a deep breath, contemplating Edward’s past acts of kindness. Although he could be strict

with her, she recognized his underlying care and concern I think I want to keep it

Edward wasn’t surprised by Sherri’s decision. He had long known her kind-hearted nature and her

passion for newborns, so he had anticipated this outcome. He had seen how she treated other people’s

children with the utmost care, never willing to harm even a hair on their heads. It was only natural that

she would make such a choice for her child.

It seemed tasteless as Edward looked at the table filled with delicious food. He put down his fork and

gently rubbed his temples. “Alright, I understand. You’ve grown up, and it’s not my place to make all

your decisions. When it comes to important matters in life, it s your call. But I hope you’ve thought it

through thoroughly and won’t regret your choice. Being a single mother is far from easy, and it should

not be taken lightly

It was

moment of rare patience and understanding from Edward as he spoke to Sherri For the first time, he

was letting go and allowing her to make her own decisions. Natalie couldn’t help but notice that Edward

and Sherri’s eyes were moist. reflecting the weight of their emotions and the ugnificance of this

moment.

They conversed for halt an hour, and Edward barely touched his food before abruptly leaving. As he

reached the doorway, his hand hesitated on the doorknob, and he left them with a parting statement. Tll

handle your plans of going abroad later tonight. Please be careful and avoid any slip-ups with Juana. I’ll

gradually break the news to her without causing unnecessary distress

Natalie’s eyes welled up with tears, observing Edward’s departure, while Sherri, overcome by emotion,

began to sob inconsolably.

“Natalie, do you think Edward is deeply disappointed in me? I could sense his heaviness when he

walked away.” Natalie held her close, offering comfort without uttering a word, as both of them

recognized the profound sadness that resonated with Edward’s departure. They were acutely aware of

their immaturity and the need for growth