Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?



"Well..."

Gilbert locked eyes with her, his gaze sparkling with warmth.

"If we get married, I become her dad naturally. We can explain the past to her when she's older."

Is that really the way?

Sherilyn fell silent for a moment.noveldrama

Objectively speaking, it was a sound idea.

Jenna was still young, too young to need explanations. If they got married, over time, she would naturally accept Gilbert as her father. As she grew up, she might even forget that her father had been absent for the first few years of her life...

It would minimize any hurt to her.

But marriage?

She hadn't really considered it.

Even though they were already in such a relationship.

"Sherilyn."

Seeing her hesitation, Gilbert squeezed her hand gently, his eyes earnest. "Would you? Would you marry me?"

"

Sherilyn furrowed her brows, caught in indecision.

"No rush."

Gilbert sensed her hesitation and chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You don't have to answer right away. Take your time, think it over, and let me know when you're ready."

Besides, he realized he was being a bit hasty today. Such an important thing as marriage deserved proper preparation, a formal proposal that he hadn't given her the first time around.

Just then, Sherilyn's phone buzzed.

Gilbert glanced at it, curious, but didn't pry.

"It's Rebecca White," Sherilyn volunteered. "Her divorce was finalized today."

"That's good news," Gilbert remarked, nodding. "It's been dragging on for a while."

Then he asked, "How does she feel about your brother now?"

"I'm not sure," Sherilyn replied, frowning slightly. Relationships were personal matters, and no matter how close you were to someone, it was hard to interfere.

Sunhaven was already feeling the first hints of summer.

Rebecca White and Eddy stepped out of the courthouse into the blinding afternoon sun. Across the street, a black SUV was parked. As soon as she emerged, the car door opened, and Francis stepped out, waving a hand in greeting.

Rebecca White frowned. What was he doing here?

"Rebecca," Eddy said next to her, forcing a smile. He had seen Francis too.

"Well, I'll be off then."

Rebecca was about to respond when she noticed Eddy clutching his stomach.

"What's wrong?"

Rebecca frowned, noticing for the first time how pale he looked, like he was unwell.

"It's nothing..." Eddy replied, trying to smile through it.

"Nothing?" Rebecca didn't believe him. "Is it your stomach again?"

Eddy paused, then nodded. "Yes."

"I thought so."

After years of marriage, Rebecca knew he had stomach issues. His lifestyle of smoking and drinking had taken its toll, leading to chronie stomach problems. He had seen doctors, taken medication.

"Do you have your meds with you?" Rebecca asked.

"No..." Eddy shook his head. "It's been a while since the last episode, so I didn't carry them."

Rebecca sighed, frustrated but resigned.

"Ugh," Eddy groaned, holding his stomach, clearly in pain.

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"This won't do..." Rebecca said, supporting him. "Here, sit in the car. There's a pharmacy around the corner. I'll get you some medicine."

"The ones I take..."

"I know what you need."

"Okay." Eddy felt a warmth in his heart, a smile tugging at his lips.

"I'll help you to the car first."

"Alright."

Rebecca was helping Eddy to the car when a shadow fell over them. She looked up to see Francis standing there, blocking their path.

"Let's go."

"Mr. Johnson," Eddy said, surprised, his expression turning tense.