Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Caroline was puzzled. Why on earth would Francis buy a pencil?

Wait a minute, that brand...

It looked familiar to Caroline, seemingly a classic German label. She immediately grabbed her phone to look it up.

Scrolling through the product page, she found an identical one.

Professional grade drafting pencil.

Caroline frowned, her confusion deepening. Why would he buy such a pencil? He was a businessman, it surely wasn't for his own use. Could it be...?

Her instincts told her it must have something to do with James' mom.

First, the hidden pearl hair clip, then the secretive 'love nest', now this pencil...

Caroline had always felt that Francis was somehow connected to James' mom!

But she also knew that asking directly would get her nowhere. Without a word, she closed the pencil case and put it back in its place...

When the night turned pitch black outside, Francis woke up.

As he sat up, Caroline entered from the adjoining room, carrying a bowl of freshly warmed soup.

"You're awake."

exhausted. I'll stay tonight, you go and get some rest. You're still recovering, I'll take the night shift,

Francis nodded, not objecting.

at night, just let the nurse handle

him a playful glare, "Do you really need

for stating the

jacket that was draped over the couch, and stretched out his arm to take the pencil with him. Caroline

...

sat by the hospital bed, a book in hand,

two people could look so much

"Gilbert."

said we should talk to you more. I've been talking to you so much

find me annoying, how about I read to you instead? 'The

and began

turned around, Haydée's complexion was pale, her

soon. Promise me, you'll wake up by

open the door

the bed, his brother was

the

Caroline dozing off bet

copy of "The

Cristo" beside her.

almost

con cocon