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.

old! Alone in Crestwood, how did she endure those long ten months... And afterwards, those long three years, raising

hard to imagine, a frail young girl, taking care of an

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

up, grabbed a glass from the table,

glass shattered into

closed his

never forgive him...

Sunset Ridge

was fast asleep, but Sherilyn lay awake, eyes

hands were clasped tightly across

longer had

by Gilbert's actions, he wouldn't stand idly by

with that

such bonds ever truly be

her eyes, she remembered the year she

food, no breast milk, and had to

deserve

...

The following afternoon, Sherilyn

her apartment

a stroll in the

she received a message from

"I'm downstairs, waiting for

her phone, slipped on her coat, and headed

"Sherilyn, over here."

a particular destination in mind, they found themselves at the same dessert cafe they had

"What'll you have?"