Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?



"Are you talking to me?"

Kearney's eyes widened in disbelief, his face paling a shade or two.

"Is that how you talk to your father?"

"And how should I be talking to you then?"

Unlike Kearney's agitation, Rebecca White remained calm. A faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "Yes, you're my father, but ever since you divorced Mom, you've been completely out of the picture."

She took a shallow breath, her smile deepening. "I really can't think of anything we need to talk about."

"This is outrageous!"

Kearney's face turned an alarming shade of red as he pointed an accusing finger at Rebecca. "You ungrateful brat! Are you denying that I'm your father?"

"I'm not denying anything," Rebecca replied, frowning as she met his gaze steadily. "But since you didn't care back then, there's no need to start now."

"You!"

Kearney's fury was palpable, his eyes burning with anger. "How did you end up like this? If I had known, I would never have let you leave with your mother!"

He jabbed a finger at Rebecca. "No manners! No respect! Is this how your mother taught you?"

Those words hit Rebecca like a punch to the gut, her eyes instantly welling up with tears. "No manners? No respect? Sure... that's me."

In her father's eyes, she'd carried that label for five long years. "But don't you dare put all the blame on Mom! If anyone knows the truth, it's you! I had a mother who raised me, but no father who cared..."

Before she could finish, Kearney's arm swung through the air, delivering a stinging slap across Rebecca's cheek.

Rebecca turned her face, stunned into silence. "What are you doing?"

Galloway, who had remained silent until then, finally snapped. "Did you come here to hit my granddaughter? Tell me, what exactly did Rebecca say wrong? Have you ever fulfilled your duties as a father?"

"Dad..."

Kearney protested, frowning, "Stop shielding her! Do you have any idea how reckless she's been all these years?"

"Is this about Eddy?"

Galloway waved his hand dismissively. "That was years ago. Eddy's moved on, so why can't you?"

As he spoke, he gently pulled Rebecca closer. "Rebecca, let Grandpa see... Did it hurt?"

Rebecca snapped back to reality, her left cheek stinging painfully, but she forced a smile, "It's okay, Grandpa. It doesn't hurt."

What does hurt, she thought, never really shows on the outside.

"Oh dear."

Galloway inspected her cheek. "It's all red! How can you say it doesn't hurt?"

He turned to scold his son. "How could you? Rebecca's your own daughter!"

"Dad..."

Kearney showed no remorse as he looked at Rebecca. "Why don't y ask

ser what kind of trouble she'snoveldrama

SWO

caused now?"

"What did I do?" Rebecca asked, bewildered.

"Playing dumb?"

Kearney laughed bitterly, turning to Galloway. "Dad... this girl, she divorced Eddy!"

Rebecca's heart sank. They knew?

"And she thought she could keep it a secret!"

Kearney went on, shaking his head. "But as they say, the truth will out!"

He gestured to Faustina. "Go on, tell him!"

"Uh..."

Faustina gave a nervous laugh,

nodding as she explained to

Galloway. "I heard it from some of

the ladies at our book club. They

said..."

"Eddy didn't want the divorce, but Rebecca forced the issue in court. Eddy had no choice but to agree."

"Ridiculous!"

Kearney's anger flared as he glared at Rebecca.