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."

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

Francis nodded, not objecting.

happens at night, just let the nurse handle it. Call

playful glare,

for stating

the couch, and stretched out his arm

...

bed, a book in hand, gazing at Gilbert

two people could look so

"Gilbert."

lap and whispered, "The doctor said we should talk to you more. I've been talking to you so much why won't you wake

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

lowered her gaze and began to read

Haydée's complexion was pale,

Promise me, you'll wake up by

to brighten, Francis pushed open the door of the

his

the

Caroline dozing off bet

a copy of "The Count

Cristo" beside her.

almost inaudibly,

con cocon