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But Sherilyn had withdrawn, curling up in her corner again, silent and unreachable.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

appeared at the door, motioning for Joyce

out. She turned to the officer walking

got in a fight

stopped in her

done that?

disbelief

local news: Sherilyn, a waitress at a downtown diner, had defended herself after two men harassed her and she'd

couldn't stop

she must

restaurant, raising a little girl alby herself, and

head snapped up. "Wait—she has a

see the news? They mentioned

the word quietly to

morning, after her night shift, Joyce headed home and immediately called her cousin,

"Hey, Nanson, it's me."

"Joyce! What's up?"

help," she said, diving right in.

graduated from

what's going

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

a hero for me. I'll owe you

...