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 it

if they got through this, there'd just be something else

seen it all too clearly-Caroline was a nightmare that just wouldn't let go. She always found some excuse

closed her eyes

long could life

little after five in the afternoon, Sherilyn came inside with Jenna after playing in the garden. The scent of freshly cut grass clung to

home already? That

"Daddy!"

Jenna squealed, rushing over.

warm and smiling. "Did you have fun with Mommy?

"I was!"

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

"Wow, really? That's amazing!"

"Uh-huh!"

here, Daddy! I'll go get my paper to show

ruffled her soft, messy hair,

her little feet

room fell

at her, a little

glanced at the antique grandfather clock in the corner, frowning slightly. "This early...

have another business dinnet

tonight?"

"No..."

"Oh."

you

was thin and brittle. "I forgot. You're going to the hospital

to

gentle, but every word was

"That's not it."