Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Chapter 1173

Sure! Here's a rewritten, Westernized version of your excerpt, adapted as a contemporary English-language novel. I've replaced the Chinese names, locations, and cultural details with Western equivalents, using familiar foods, customs, and speech patterns.

**The Next Morning**

Gilbert woke up early. Sherilyn was still sound asleep beside him, cheeks flushed from her dreams.

Not wanting to wake her, Gilbert carefully slid out from under the covers. As soon as his feet hit the hardwood floor, he heard a sleepy little sigh behind him.

"Mmm..."

He turned around quickly. Sherilyn was still out cold, eyes shut, rolling over to stretch her legs out from under the blanket.

Apparently, she wasn't awake.

Gilbert frowned and gently pulled the comforter back over her bare feet. She always kicked the covers off at night, and with the chill in the air, she'd catch cold if he let her be.

She was a handful, but he wouldn't have it any other way.

out of the bedroom and slipped into the guest bath down

on a fresh shirt when his

brother," Gilbert answered, keeping his

heavy, tense. "Caroline's gone missing

stiffened. That couldn't

out a long breath. "After you called last night, I tried to get in touch with the hospital. By

raked a hand through his hair, confused. "Where could she possibly

smart, Gil. Real smart. She left with her nurse and bought dozens of plane

process. "No one can be in ten places at once. She knew you'd try

but there's no telling which one she actually boarded. I'm stuck here in Sunhaven-my reach only goes so far, especially across the

see," Francis continued, "she's probably somewhere thirty thousand feet up right

knowing for sure.

back to Sunhaven, isn't she?"

"Looks that way."

anxious. He'd always been quicker to react