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.

she endure those long ten months... And afterwards, those long three years, raising Jenna alone! She

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

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

suddenly stood up, grabbed a glass from the table, and hurled it to the

glass shattered into

his

forgive him...

in Sunset

was fast asleep, but Sherilyn lay awake, eyes wide

were clasped

positively about today's events, she no longer had to pretend

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

that came

daughter. Could such bonds ever

the year she was kicked out of the hospital, holding

food, no breast milk, and had

you don't deserve

...

The following afternoon, Sherilyn

to her apartment

stroll in the

the same time she received a message from

"I'm

slipped on

"Sherilyn, over here."

gesturing for her to come over. Without a particular destination in mind, they found themselves at the same dessert

"What'll you have?"