A derisive, somewhat ungentlemanly snort escaped Edgeworth. "If he hasn't left after..." a moment's hesitation,"...everything, I imagine I'll never be totally rid of him." He lapsed into silence, as he reflexively brought one hand up to rub nervously at his arm.

"Yet being present and remaining the way we are now are two mutually exclusive things. If my foolishness has..." A struggle flickered over his features, and he finally sighed, stubbornly turning his eyes away from Ellison as if attempting to forget he was there. "He means...a great deal to me. Not in the capacity I'm sure you're imagining, but he holds an important place in my life. I never wanted him to. Now...I'd rather not lose whatever's there."