"It's hopeless," Jennifer said, turning away from the screen, swiveling in her chair to face Edward, standing in the doorway, leaning against the frame, a somber look on his face.
"What is it?"
"The drugs... The reason they're gone from my bloodstream is because I've assimilated them entirely.
"They're a part of my genetic makeup now."
Edward said nothing, trying to process this news before he heaved deeply, rubbing the back of his neck. "What... What does that mean then? For you? For us?"
Jennifer turned away, back towards the screen, gazing at the DNA sequence that was now indelibly a part of her.
"It means that I'll be like this forever," she answered bitterly. "Unless someday, long from now, someone far more brilliant than me builds a DNA altering compound to reverse this."
The silence hung long and heavy between them, neither knowing what to say. The possibility of a cure suddenly, abruptly dashed, and so completely, with no alternative in sight.
Life as a mindless slut, she thought dejectedly. At least Edward would be happy. Or would he? Well, he'd get used it at the very least. There were worse things in the world than a ridiculously hot wife who wanted to have sex all the day. Maybe she'd be happy too, in her own way...
"Would it be that bad?" Jennifer wondered aloud, before looking back again. "If I were like this?
"Forever?"
Edward's face held a mixed range of emotions: confusion, doubt, guilt. He took several long moments to answer.
"I love you, honey," he said, finally. "All I want is you."
"That's not what I asked, Edward."
"Look, I have never lied to you, Jennifer. I never will," he said resolutely, before hesitating. "It's just-"
He stopped, wringing his hands.
"You can tell me," Jennifer said quietly, although unsure if she really meant that.
"It's just...
"Of course, I love you, and I want you and I am so, so attracted you, Jennifer. I am. But Jenna...
"Jenna is completely different than you.
"I'm not saying better.
"Just... different."
Jennifer nodded, not saying anything in turn. She tried to focus on Edward's honesty and his steadfast love. And she loved him for it, his integrity, his principles, his respect for her.
She studied his familiar face, now looking miserable. Edward, her husband. Her love. Her partner in all things. When he said she was all he ever wanted, she believed him. Or at least believed that he wanted to believe it. But it was hard to reconcile that against these past few weeks. She couldn't fool herself into thinking that he didn't want Jenna in some way. That he hadn't enjoyed himself the least little bit, no matter how ashamed he might be of that fact.
She's still me, though, Jennifer thought. Jenna is so different, but she's a part of me, she came from somewhere inside of me. My deepest, uninhibited desires. And he likes it too. He's trying not to say so, but he does. He likes it too.
And then the thought streaked across her mind, like a shooting star, brief yet dazzling, something she thought she had always known, but only now realized she had never truly understood.
He loves all of you.
And from that simple, blazing realization, Jennifer knew then that there was hope after all. She got up from the chair, going over to Edward, taking his hand in hers, gazing up into his earnest face.
"You're a good man, Edward," she said, kissing him on the mouth.
