Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

The last note of his voice sharpened, cutting through the tension in the room.

"It's my fault."

Gilbert could hear it; Sherilyn was upset.

Rubbing his forehead, he tried to explain, "I didn't mean for it to happen. I had arranged a consultation with specialists from various hospitals last night. I didn't expect them to arrive so early..."

He had thought he could make it to Sunset Ridge Community to spend some time with Jenna before heading back.

"So? What's your point?"

Sherilyn's voice was thick with sarcasm. "A doctors' consultation? What were you going to do there? Take notes?"

"Sherilyn..." Gilbert's voice deepened, a touch of frustration bleeding through. "I needed to be there, to hear what the next steps would be..."

"Why are you even explaining all this?"

Sherilyn cut him off, her impatience clear. "If your woman is more important than your daughter, then please, spare Jenna the hope!"

With that, she hung up.

"Sherilyn?!"

Gilbert stared at his phone, his brow furrowed in dismay.

"Mr. Johnson...?"

nurse was urging him now, "The specialists are waiting, sir. Shall we go

phone, hesitated for

he entered the

...

a light

the eerie silence of the hospital room, her caretaker sitting quietly beside

"Uh-huh..."

sit up, but the caretaker hurried

it

the caretaker's hand. "Where is everyone? Where's Francis? Where's Gilbert? After everything that's happened, neither of them is here?" Were they abandoning her? Leaving her to

up in Caroline's eyes as a mix of sorrow

laughed bitterly through her tears. "Ha,

unnerved, spoke cautiously,

can I

was fierce, her anger palpable.

where..." The caretaker was visibly

the authority or means to summon the Johnsons on a

devoid of humor. "Fine! If you won't, I'll go

determined to

The caretaker was panicking, trying to hold

"Caroline!"

rushed in Seeing the scene unfold, he quickened his

side, supporting her as the

her voice as she stared into his face. "Is it

Gilbert nodded