Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?



Gilbert sat on the edge of his bed, cheeks puffed out, feeling a sourness around his eyes that he couldn't shake.

It was supposed to be a sweet moment, yet why did everything taste so bitter in his mouth?

Sherilyn, I'm sorry...

Jenna, I'm sorry...

Late at night.

At Golden Oak Manor.

Gilbert stepped out of the shower, his skin still damp and shining. He switched on the TV and stumbled upon a documentary, hitting the play button.

"From the moment of conception, a woman's body undergoes a myriad of changes..."

He was watching a documentary on pregnancy and childbirth.

The room was dark, lit only by the faint glow of the TV screen that flickered across Gilbert's face.

He watched intently, murmuring, "So, pregnancy is this painful..."

Even with the support of husbands and families, the pregnant women in the documentary seemed to be walking a tightrope between life and death.

And then there was Sherilyn.

Gilbert covered his eyes with a hand.

Sherilyn had been only 20 years old! Alone in Crestwood, how did she endure those long ten months... And afterwards, those long three years, raising Jenna alone!

She was just a little girl when she had Jenna!

It was hard to imagine, a frail young girl, taking care of an even smaller, sickly child...

It wasn't the prolonged four years that had eroded Sherilyn's love, but... his own cruelty and decisiveness!

"Ugh!" Gilbert suddenly stood up, grabbed a glass from the table, and hurled it to the ground with all his might!

The glass shattered into pieces!

Gilbert closed his eyes in pain.

Sherilyn would never forgive him... Never... Ever!

Meanwhile, in Sunset Ridge Community.

Jenna was fast asleep, but Sherilyn lay awake, eyes wide open.

Her hands were clasped tightly across her chest...

Thinking positively about today's events, she no longer had to pretend in front of Gilbert.

Judging by Gilbert's actions, he wouldn't stand idly by regarding Jenna.

But with that came deeper troubles.

Jenna was Gilbert's daughter. Could such bonds ever truly be severed?

Closing her eyes, she remembered the year she was kicked out of the hospital, holding Jenna...

She had no money, not enough food, no breast milk, and had to resort to stealing...

Gilbert, you don't deserve forgiveness... Never... Ever!

...

The following afternoon, Sherilyn

returned to her apartment with

Jenna after a stroll in theel

around the same time she received

a message from Gilbert.

It read simply, "I'm downstairs, waiting for you."

Sherilyn pocketed her phone, slipped on her coat, and headed out.

"Sherilyn, over here."

Gilbert waited by his car, gesturing for her to come over. Without a particular destination in mind, they found themselves at the same dessert cafe they had visited the day before.

"What'll you have?"

"Lemon iced tea."

"Alright."

Sherilyn was much calmer than the day before.

Gilbert returned with their drinks, "Here, your lemon iced tea."

"Thanks." Sherilyn took it, sipping twice.

Some things between them didn't need to be spelled out.

Like now, sitting together peacefully, all because of Jenna.

"Sherilyn," Gilbert said in his deep, soothing voice, keeping her

e

attention, "I'm arranging for Jenna to see a doctor. I'm looking for

vet

someone with more authority, more experience."

At his words, Sherilyn's eyes began to water.

Jenna was her Achilles' heel! Her everything!

"Sherilyn..."

Gilbert reached out, taking her hand, "There's no condition that hasn't been overcome, Jenna will make it too."Original content from NôvelDrama.Org.

"Whatever I failed to give her at birth, I'll make sure she has it now."