Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

"What's going on?" Caroline wasn't one to be easily fooled.

"Caroline..."

"Francis." Caroline suddenly closed the distance, her gaze piercing into Francis. "Look me in the eyes and tell me the truth! What in the world is so important that you have to leave in the dead of night?" He was still on medical leave, in the middle of his recovery.

With Gilbert looking out for the Johnson family from the outside, and Caroline keeping the home fires burning, what could possibly require his urgent attention?

Caroline's sharp instincts told her that tonight's events were far from ordinary.

To be precise, it felt like a long-held premonition was about to come true tonight!

"Caroline."

Francis made up his mind.

He hadn't planned to keep this secret forever, nor was it feasible. The child would eventually have to return to the Johnson family; it was inevitable that she would find out.

But as fate would have it...

He had wanted to find the perfect moment to have a proper talk with Caroline, but a sudden turn of events had forced his hand.

Now might not be the best time, but somehow, they had reached this critical juncture.

"Listen to me..."

step closer, taking Caroline's hands in his, "I can tell you the truth, but you have to promise me, don't panic. Listen calmly until I finish,

Caroline narrowed her eyes, "What's going

moment before he slowly said, "The reason I'm going out so late is

if she couldn't grasp what he had

took a deep breath, repeating, "My child is missing. I

her body surged to

her head, her

Francis quickly grabbed her

"Don't touch me!"

pushed him away in an instant, her eyes wide with shock and

"You, you... your child?"

Francis frowned, silently nodding.

"What?"

welled up with tears, red veins spreading like spider

she grabbed Francis'

whole body shaking,

Child's Bests

"ol.net ?Child? You said.net

gaze, only

A deathly silence fell.

it bled without her noticing. "Caroline!" Francis' brow

to release her

ber