Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

"Mm-hmm." Caroline tried to sound casual, letting out a laugh mixed with a sigh. "Guess this is goodbye then, take care." "Take care." The line went silent.

Gilbert held onto his phone, feeling a bitter ache in his heart. They'd known each other since childhood, over a decade now, and he never imagined it would end like this. But from Sherilyn's perspective, he completely understood. No woman could tolerate her man being so attentive to another woman. Unless, of course, Caroline was his actual sister. Sadly, she wasn't...

Gilbert pocketed his phone, took a deep breath to steady his emotions, and pushed open the door to the private dining room. Upon entering, he couldn't avoid exchanging pleasantries with Blake and Caleb Marshall. The directors, perceptive to the situation, quickly pointed him in a direction after a brief chat. "Mr. Harrison, Sherilyn's over there."

"Thanks." Gilbert nodded with a smile and made his way to Sherilyn. The gathering featured a buffet, and Sherilyn had chosen a fondue pot, busy dipping various veggies. A few colleagues were seated around her, but they stood up to give Gilbert space as he approached. "Thanks." Gilbert acknowledged them and pulled up a chair beside her. Sherilyn acted as if she hadn't noticed him, focusing solely on her fondue.

"What's cooking?" Gilbert asked, genuinely interested.

Sherilyn finally reacted, glancing up briefly with a quip, "Never seen a fondue before?" Gilbert stifled a laugh.

Then he asked, "Is it good?"

her head,

time?" "No, thanks." Sherilyn shook her head again, "I'll just make

weight? Gilbert almost couldn't believe his ears. Sherilyn was

recently due to stress. The woes of heartbreak, he thought.

pair of clean tongs, asking,

randomly, "Just pick

and mushrooms, preparing them carefully before placing them in her bowl. "Here,

Watching her cheeks puff with each bite, Gilbert leaned in and whispered, "About that promise you made me

veggies?" Sherilyn abruptly looked up, glaring at him as

this misunderstanding. Wasn't it she who said she didn't

wrong." That's what he thought, but he quickly apologized regardless. It was his fault, it had to be. He grabbed some meat with the tongs, "I'll cook some right