Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Chapter 1188

Here's your text adapted as a Western-style, localized English novel scene, with Western foods, customs, names, and phrasing. Let me know if you want any details tweaked!

He shook his head, stammering, "It's not about 'pointing fingers' or anything, Sherilyn. I'm just worried about you."

"Worried about what? That I'll run away?"

Sherilyn gave a bitter, self-deprecating smile. "Yeah, as if I could. Trust me, I've thought about it, but I know I can't. Even if I wanted to, there's nowhere for me to go."

Her eyes were rimmed red, a faint shimmer glistening in them.

"No matter what I want, I'm stuck here. Stuck with this endless mess..."

"Sherilyn!"

Gilbert's heart twisted. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. "It's not endless. I promise, it's not."

"Oh, really?"

Sherilyn gave a hollow laugh. "And how can you be so sure? Your mom's... issues no one's been able to fix those."

"That doesn't have to affect us!"

Gilbert cupped her delicate back, his voice low and sincere.

"I care about you. Only you. After everything that happened... things are different now. What happened with her was an accident. Please, you have to believe me."

Hmph.

Sherilyn rested her head on his shoulder, letting out a barely audible, cold little

snort.

him? What difference would

through this, there'd just be

clearly-Caroline was a nightmare that just wouldn't let go. She always found some excuse to cling to him, haunting them like

closed her

life

in the garden. The scent of freshly cut grass clung to their clothes. As soon as they walked in, she

home

"Daddy!"

Jenna squealed, rushing over.

into his arms, his eyes warm and smiling. "Did

"I was!"

guess what! My teacher gave me a gold star today I got a perfect

"Wow, really? That's amazing!"

"Uh-huh!"

wriggled free and hopped down. "Wait right here,

her soft,

upstairs, her little

living room fell

looked at her,

glanced at the antique grandfather clock in the corner,

have another business dinnet

tonight?"

"No..."

"Oh."

you

brittle. "I forgot. You're

came home first to check us off

voice was gentle, but every word was

"That's not it."