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.

back, puzzled. "Mr.

out his chair. He stood up and

was he planning to

rimmed red with exhaustion and something like shame. “This is long overdue... but thank you. Thank you for

would Sherilyn have survived those years,

suddenly dropped

Mr. Harrison, please—don't— I only did what I could, because I had the ability to help!" Joyce exclaimed in alarm, moving as if to pull him up. But he was a grown

watch as Gilbert knelt before her, lowering

gesture of absolute

was a full, formal bow-every bit of pride cast aside.

only knelt to two people. The first

е Joyce-for saving his wife and

for the rest

...

room, Gilbert had his driver

return to the hospital. Instead, he went straight to the office. For the first time, he felt

he leaned against the headrest,

arrival at the Johnson family home. She'd been just