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...?"

"The specialists are waiting, sir. Shall we

hesitated for

he entered the doctor's

...

a

of rain was a soft backdrop to the eerie silence of the hospital room, her caretaker sitting quietly beside

"Uh-huh..."

to sit up, but the

it just

was sharp, her gaze suddenly wary as she shrugged off the caretaker's hand. "Where is everyone? Where's Francis? Where's Gilbert? After everything

welled up in Caroline's eyes as a mix of

through

cautiously, "Ms.

How can I be

anger palpable. "Go,

I don't know where..." The caretaker was visibly distressed,

the authority or means to summon the Johnsons on a whim. "So,

laugh was cold, devoid of humor. "Fine! If you won't, I'll

back the covers, determined to get out

trying to hold her back. "Please, don't..." "Get off

"Caroline!"

Seeing the

side, supporting her as the caretaker stepped

froze, disbelief coloring her voice as she stared into his face. "Is it

Gilbert nodded