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...?"

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

phone, hesitated for

he entered the

...

been a

to the eerie silence of the

"Uh-huh..."

to sit up, but the caretaker hurried to

it

as she shrugged off 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

welled up in Caroline's eyes as a mix of sorrow and despair flooded her, spreading to

bitterly through her

spoke cautiously,

How can

her anger palpable. "Go, find Francis

caretaker was visibly distressed, unsure of how to

the authority or means to summon the Johnsons

of humor. "Fine! If

threw back the covers, determined

to hold her back. "Please, don't..."

"Caroline!"

in Seeing the scene unfold, he

as

voice as she stared into his face. "Is it

nodded