Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Was Francis really that unfazed as the one in the eye of the storm?

Francis picked up the glass from the table, taking a sip of water.

"I've never really explained it, mainly because it's indefensible. Once I start talking, I'm up against a million other voices spreading rumors. All that matters is that I know the truth," he said with a calm that belied the gravity of his words.

Sherilyn remained silent, her breathing almost imperceptible.

So, there was more to the story? Were the rumors not just baseless fabrications?

Francis set down his glass. "Gilbert and I have always been good to Caroline, that's undeniable...absolutely true. Sherilyn, do you want to know why?"

Sherilyn paused, her heart racing.

She nodded slightly, "Yeah."

"Ah." Francis sighed, as if the words he was about to say were a heavy burden. "We hardly ever talk about it in our family because... well, it's especially painful for Gilbert and me."

He began to recount the past, each word seeming to cost him.

we were kids,

parents were taken as well. The incident had been

police searched day and night but couldn't find them. The kidnappers never made contact with Sylvia Johnson, leading the authorities to suspect that the motive wasn't

months until Francis and Gilbert were found in a criminal hideout, malnourished

Gilbert was being carried

ragged and gaunt, having carried him for miles through

to rush them to the hospital. But the girl refused because she had

Francis; he was too big. But with Gilbert safe,

police were able to rescue Francis as well. However,

was

deep e within each member of the Johnson family, seldom spoken

his story, Francis' voice seemed to drift,

her eyes clouding with

understood now. "Caroline, she

nodded, his

her well, but