Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Seeing Rebecca White trembling with emotion, Francis Johnson frowned and reached out, grasping her wrist.

His voice was low and steady. "Rebecca, this was a coincidence. An accident. Caroline Bennett didn't mean to go the wrong way, and I never thought you'd get hurt."

Rebecca let out a cold, bitter laugh.

"So you're both innocent? And what does that make me—just someone who deserved it?"

"That's not what I meant-"

Rebecca's eyes brimmed with tears. "What did I do to deserve this? Why do I have to pay for it?"

"Rebecca, it's over now."

Francis tightened his hold on her wrist, his tone softer, almost pleading. "I'll take care of you. For the rest of my life—always."

"No..."

Rebecca shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut in pain. For a moment, she simply couldn't accept this reality.

"No what?"

Francis's expression darkened, his gaze growing colder. "I don't get it. How does any of this change things between us? Whatever happened, we're together now. We have James. We can have a good life—"

"You don't understand. You just don't understand..." Rebecca's voice broke as she shook her head, her lashes wet with tears.

"Then what don't I understand?"

let out a short, humorless laugh. "Are you saying everything I've done for you is fake? I never meant

"Francis!"

cut him off sharply, her lips trembling.

suddenly, the room

his eyes and let out a quiet, mocking

you? You'd already accepted things, hadn't you? Why the sudden change is it because of Eddy Jones? He's the one who

his smile

it ever occur to you why he'd tell you these things? He still wants you,

heavy. "And you fell for it? What, are you planning

grip on

and soon you'll be my wife. There can't be anyone

swift motion, he pulled Rebecca into his

scooped her up and strode

struggled in his arms. "What

bedroom door,

"Francis!"

pressed her hands against his

been together long enough; she knew exactly where this

this! I don't

at her, startled. "Why not? Nothing's changed-haven't we been fine

Ine

Francis was in his prime; once he'd tasted her, all

"Is this about Eddy?"