Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Chapter 1195

Certainly! Here's your text adapted into a Western, localized, contemporary,

conversational English novel excerpt, with appropriate substitutions for cultural references, food, names, and customs:

"?"

Sherilyn blinked, caught a little off guard. "Why do you ask? Are you...?"

She started to continue but stopped herself, hesitating. She wasn't sure if Rebecca White already knew everything.

On the other end of the line, Rebecca let out a wry chuckle. "I know, Sher. Caroline's back in town."

Of course.

Sherilyn gripped her phone tightly, pausing before she spoke. "And you're still checking in on me? I should be the one asking-how are you holding up?"

For a moment, the two women, separated by a phone call, shared the same bitter taste of resignation and heartache.

"Honestly?" Rebecca's laugh was hollow. “I'm not doing great.”

She paused. "But that's all it is for me—just not great. It's different for you..."

it was no secret that Caroline's drama with the Johnson brothers was the talk of

Rebecca and Caroline

Sherilyn, it was

love triangles. Because of Caroline, Sherilyn

wasn't just an ex's flame-she was practically

honestly more worried about

Rebecca's words, it was clear she knew Caroline

Gilbert, her brother had spent more obvious time with

be

But...

remembering the way Gilbert looked so conflicted whenever he'd mentioned Rebecca

clear: Rebecca didn't know about all that—at least,

were guesses. The truth was still

"Sher?"

"Are you still there? Can you hear

I'm here," Sherilyn said, snapping back to reality. She picked

managed a smile, forcing some lightness into her words. "I'll get through it. Somehow.

"I wish I could do more. But if you ever need to vent, or just hang out, or really anything-just say the word. I'm here,

"I know. And I won't

why she called in the first place. "You texted me