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?"

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

"Francis!"

cut him off sharply, her lips trembling.

eyes met, and suddenly,

half-closed his eyes and let out a quiet, mocking

hadn't you? Why the sudden change is it because of Eddy Jones?

his

things? He still wants you,

you fell for it? What, are you planning to get back together

grip on

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

swift motion, he pulled Rebecca into

up and strode straight for the

Rebecca struggled in his arms. "What are

answer. He kicked open the master bedroom door, dropped her onto the

"Francis!"

her hands against his chest, trying to push him

together long enough; she knew exactly where this was

want this! I don't want

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

Ine

become normal between them. Francis was in his prime; once

"Is this about Eddy?"