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.

he was sure she was settled, Gilbert tiptoed out of the bedroom and slipped into the guest bath down the hall to wash up. He didn't want to make any noise that might

a fresh shirt when his

Gilbert answered, keeping his voice

"Caroline's gone missing from

Gilbert stiffened. That couldn't be right.

Francis let out a long breath. "After you called last night, I tried to get in touch

his hair, confused. "Where could she possibly go? Didn't anyone see her

left with her nurse

one can be in ten places

I check the flight records, sure, I can see what tickets she bought, but there's no telling which one she actually boarded. I'm

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

to? No way of knowing for sure.

Sunhaven, isn't

"Looks that way."

anxious. He'd always been quicker to react