Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

How many times had he seen Jenna now? And he hadn't even gotten her a treat!

"Hold on a sec."

Gilbert, holding Jenna with one arm, reached for his phone with the other and dialed a number. "It's me, yeah, grab some strawberry milk, right..." After hanging up, he flashed Jenna a smile.

"Just wait a bit, Jenna. Your favorite strawberry milk is on its way."

"Mmm..."

Tears welled up in Jenna's eyes as she buried herself into Gilbert's embrace, holding him tight. "Sir, you're the best! I love you, sir!"

He chuckled softly, "And I love you too, Jenna. Very, very much."

At the doorway of the hospital room.

Sherilyn stood there, quietly observing the scene.

She had only stepped away for a moment, and Gilbert had shown up? Should she mention the uncanny bond this father and daughter shared?

Blinking back her tears, Sherilyn quickly stepped aside...

Soon, Charles arrived with the strawberry milk Jenna had been craving.

"Mr. Gilbert..."

Charles, holding the bag, was still trying to grasp the situation. Mr. Gilbert with a little girl? And what a beautiful little girl she was! She was the most gorgeous child he had ever laid eyes on. "Yeah." Gilbert nodded. "Open one for her."

"Sure thing."

out a bottle from the bag, opened it, and handed

Jenna.

she just opened

she drank, her cheeks puffed out rhythmically,

softened, "Jenna's

there, thinking to himself how everything a child does seems praise-worthy, even

leaving, Gilbert left his number with Sophia. "If Jenna feels unwell, or, you know, misses

pause,

took the number, biting her lip.

didn't seem like

not downright wealthy. Not likely a scammer, especially since Jenna had nothing he could possibly want to scam her

Gilbert's finger.

might cling, quickly said,

"Jenna, you

t things

of."

pouted,

felt a pang of heartache, "Don't be sad, Jenna.

lit up at

out her little finger, she said, "Pinky promise,

aback, laughed and hooked his finger around her chubby one. "I don't lie."

"Bye, Jenna."

was bittersweet

soon as Gilbert and Charles had left,