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."

at him, "You must be exhausted. I'll stay tonight, you go and get some rest. You're still recovering, I'll

Francis nodded, not objecting.

"If anything happens at night, just let the nurse

gave him a playful glare, "Do you

for

stretched out his arm to take the pencil with

...

night, Caroline sat by the hospital bed, a book in hand, gazing

two people could

"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

I read to you instead? 'The Count

and

complexion was pale, her gaze

soon. Promise me, you'll

the door of the hospital room and walked in

his brother was

the

Caroline dozing off bet

a copy of "The

Cristo" beside her.

almost

con cocon