Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Chapter 1230

It wasn't until this time—until Sherilyn relapsed—that Gilbert finally understood.

He'd always thought he knew the truth. He'd been wrong.

For a moment, Gilbert closed his eyes, fighting back the ache in his chest. Sherilyn had been getting better. She had almost recovered.

And then he he had pushed her too far, set off her illness all over again.

"If...," he began, his voice unsteady, "if she doesn't get treatment, what will happen to her?"

"No treatment? Why would you even consider that?" Joyce frowned, confused by the question, but answered anyway. "Let me put it this way. With mental illness, if you just ignore it, eventually... it's no different from cancer. It leads to the same ending-death."

The words hit Gilbert like a blow to the chest. His breath caught, and for a moment it felt as though his heart had been struck with something heavy.

Sherilyn had told him-she would wither away and fade right before his eyes.

She hadn't been trying to scare him. She'd been telling the truth.

"I understand. Thank you," he managed, steadying himself.

“That's all I have to say." Joyce gathered her purse, preparing to leave.

"Wait."

Gilbert's voice stopped her.

looked back, puzzled. "Mr. Harrison? Is there something

his chair. He stood up and walked around the table to face her

deepened. What was he planning to

eyes rimmed red with exhaustion and something like shame. “This is long

hadn't been for Joyce, how would Sherilyn have survived

Gilbert suddenly dropped to his knees

exclaimed in alarm, moving as if to pull him up. But he was a

was watch as Gilbert knelt before her,

gesture of absolute gratitude and

of pride cast

people. The first

now, to е Joyce-for saving his wife and child. He

his voice hoarse, “Kcan never repay what you've done. I'll remember it for the rest of my life. If you ever need anything-anything at all-I'll be there. No questions.

...

dining room, Gilbert had his driver take Joyce

straight to the office. For the first time, he felt utterly defeated-so ashamed, he

he leaned against the headrest, eyes closed, memories flickering through his

arrival at the Johnson