Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Francis' gaze sharpened, a sense of urgency tightening in his throat.

He glanced at Caroline, hesitating as if he had something to say but eventually remained silent and turned to leave.

Caroline's eyes widened in shock, her voice raising in anger, "Francis! You stop right there!"

Hearing her, Francis paused, turning back with a look of conflict and difficulty.

"Francis!"

Caroline took a step forward, gripping his arm tightly, her eyes swelling with tears as she slowly shook her head, the words forcing their way out between clenched teeth. "You, can't, go!"

"Caroline..." Francis frowned, looking steadily at her.

Finally, he lifted his hand, gently removing hers. "We'll talk about us... when I get back."

Caroline stumbled backward, taking a couple of steps back.

Francis gave her one last look before he walked away.

"Francis! Francis!"

Behind him, Caroline was nearly in tears.

"What on earth is going on?"

Sylvia quickly came to her aid. She was completely in the dark, unable to piece together the full truth from the snippets she heard.

"Grandma!"

eyes, "I have to see what he's been

In the car.

noticed, "Ms. Bennett is

silent, his expression

"Yes."

Sawyer's lead, they drove to

orphanage director had called them, informing them that the

three years old, and thanks to his good health and looks,

returned him to the orphanage six months later when they had a child of their

the couple had marital issues, went through a divorce, and once

this return that

orphanage, on top of being returned twice, the child's psyche had taken a significant

Francis came to take him from the orphanage, the director

is a really noble thing to

wasn't planning on keeping

child had already been

His naturally vibrant

cheerful

had turned

he couldn't

third abandonment.

reassured the director, "Don't worry. From today,

material life