Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Chapter 1228

"I won't come near you. I won't touch you-unless you want me to. I promise."

Joyce gave a gentle smile, steadying herself on the heavy chair. "This thing's really heavy. How about we put it down, okay?"

She could feel the tension in the other woman's arms gradually fading.

Finally, the chair thudded softly against the floor.

Joyce kept her distance. Instead, she slipped off her white coat and draped it over the back of the chair. Then she removed her shawl, holding it out as she nodded toward Sherilyn. "It's clean-I just brought it from home this evening. Why don't you put it on? You'll feel warmer, all right?"

Sherilyn stared at her, lips parting as if to speak, but no sound came.

Joyce took it as a cautious invitation. She moved slowly, step by careful step, making sure Sherilyn didn't flinch or pull away. When she finally reached her, she gently wrapped the shawl around Sherilyn's shoulders, covering her bare skin.

Joyce pointed to the first aid kit, then at Sherilyn. "You're hurt. I need to take a look and patch you up, okay?"

This time, Sherilyn didn't resist. Her eyes stayed dull and distant, but she let Joyce tend to her wounds.

When Joyce finished and closed up the kit, she heard Sherilyn mumble, "Jenna..."

"Sorry?" Joyce leaned in, unsure if she'd heard right. "Did you say something?"

But Sherilyn had withdrawn, curling up in her corner again, silent and unreachable.

"Doctor, thank you for your help."

door,

the officer walking beside her. “Officer, can

got in a fight and injured

her tracks,

timid girl-had done that? It

disbelief didn't

downtown diner, had defended herself after two men harassed her and she'd hurt them badly in the

duty couldn't stop whispering about

tiny, but she must be

sighed, sympathy in her voice. "Poor thing. Working ima restaurant, raising

snapped up.

you see the

to herself, a memory tugging

her night shift, Joyce headed home and immediately called her

"Hey, Nanson, it's me."

"Joyce! What's up?"

diving right in. "You still have friends in

graduated from

going on? You

need a lawyer, Nanson. Please. It's urgent-someone's life is at

a hero for

...