"Herschel...

" My voice trembled in shock as I barely whispered.,

"Felicia,

" Herschel tried to muster a smile as he called my name.,

"Your hair...

" I reached out, wanting to touch his hair., He looked puzzled for a moment,

"What about my hair? Is it messy?

", Then, my tears started to fall., Seeing me cry, he was even more astonished,

"What's wrong? Why the tears? Did Jacqueline say something? Don't believe her; she loves to make a fuss over nothing.

" Herschel seemed oblivious to the fact that his hair had turned completely white., Just a few days ago, I saw him with a head full of dark hair, but now, although not entirely white, it had turned about eighty percent white., It was as if he had transformed into a different person, from a vigorous middle-aged man to an elderly one in an instant., I couldn't bring myself to say anything, especially since he wasn't aware of it himself., I stepped forward and hugged him, tears streaming down my face., He gently patted my back,

"Don't cry, what's there to cry about? I'm fine. I just wanted some alone time. Jacqueline keeps nagging me, and now she's brought you here too.

", He thought my tears were because I was worried about him locking himself in his study for a day and a night., I shook my head against his shoulder, my throat feeling as if it was being squeezed.,

"Come, let's sit inside. I will make you a cup of coffee,

" Herschel seemed to be in a slightly better mood., But I knew he was just trying not to worry me., His hair turning white overnight said it all.,

"Herschel,

" I stopped him,

"Let Conrad be... Don't worry or bother about him anymore.

", I had never felt such deep sympathy for someone before. Herschel, at this moment, made me feel an unprecedented sense of pity, as if he was my own father. Herschel's gaze dimmed,

"He has disappointed me so much. I've been reflecting on it, and it's all because we spoiled him too much since he was young.

"

"How can you blame yourself? Conrad is his own person, with his own thoughts and opinions. And he's not a child anymore,

" I tried to console him. Herschel didn't respond; I knew he wasn't listening., He was a stubborn man. Despite appearing easy-going and amiable to everyone, especially how he never showed any emotional reaction to whatever Jacqueline said, he had his own firm beliefs that were unshakeable., But I never expected Conrad's marriage to upset Herschel to the point of turning his hair white overnight.,

"Felicia, sit down. Keep me company with a cup of coffee,

" Herschel gestured for me to sit by the coffee table and then went to prepare the coffee., Looking at his back, I suddenly realized that he seemed to have become a bit hunched, and with his hair now suddenly white, he truly looked like an old man.,

"Felicia, I'll brew some of that special blend Shaun gave me. I've been meaning to...

" Herschel's voice abruptly stopped., He froze with his hand on the cupboard door, not moving an inch., Sensing something was wrong, I quickly got up and went over,

"Herschel...

", I couldn't finish my sentence, realizing why Herschel had stopped. He saw his white hair reflected in the glass door of the cupboard.,

"Herschel,

" I softly called, grabbing his arm., He snapped back to reality, then smiled bitterly,

"So that's why you were crying.

", His attempt at laughter made my heart ache even more,

"Herschel, how did you, just...

", I choked up again, unable to continue.,

"Come now, I'm over fifty, it's normal for my hair to turn white. This way, Jacqueline won't have to worry about any young ladies eyeing me. Suddenly turned into an old man, who'd be interested,

" Herschel joked in an attempt to cheer me up., But I couldn't bring myself to smile; instead, I pressed my face into his shoulder, sobbing softly., Herschel's hand stroked my hair,

"Alright, no more tears. Everyone gets old...

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