Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Gilbert sat on the edge of his bed, cheeks puffed out, feeling a sourness around his eyes that he couldn't shake.

It was supposed to be a sweet moment, yet why did everything taste so bitter in his mouth?

Sherilyn, I'm sorry...

Jenna, I'm sorry...

...

Late at night.

At Golden Oak Manor.

Gilbert stepped out of the shower, his skin still damp and shining. He switched on the TV and stumbled upon a documentary, hitting the play button.

"From the moment of conception, a woman's body undergoes a myriad of changes..."

He was watching a documentary on pregnancy and childbirth.

The room was dark, lit only by the faint glow of the TV screen that flickered across Gilbert's face.

He watched intently, murmuring, "So, pregnancy is this painful..."

Even with the support of husbands and families, the pregnant women in the documentary seemed to be walking a tightrope between life and death.

And then there was Sherilyn.

Gilbert covered his eyes with a hand.

Alone in Crestwood, how did she endure those long ten months... And afterwards, those long three years, raising Jenna alone! She was just a little girl when she

girl, taking care

years that had eroded Sherilyn's love, but... his own cruelty

a glass from the table, and hurled it to

shattered into

closed his

would never forgive him... Never...

in Sunset Ridge

Sherilyn lay awake,

hands were clasped tightly

about today's events, she no longer had

wouldn't stand

that

Gilbert's daughter. Could such bonds

her eyes, she remembered the year she was kicked out of the hospital,

no breast

don't deserve forgiveness... Never...

...

The following afternoon, Sherilyn

to her apartment

a stroll in

the same time she received a message

"I'm downstairs,

phone, slipped on her coat, and headed

"Sherilyn, over here."

particular destination in mind, they found themselves at the

"What'll you have?"