Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Chapter 721



The last note of his voice sharpened, cutting through the tension in the room.

"It's my fault."

Gilbert could hear it; Sherilyn was upset.

Rubbing his forehead, he tried to explain, "I didn't mean for it to happen. I had arranged a consultation with specialists from various hospitals last night. I didn't expect them to arrive so early..."

He had thought he could make it to Sunset Ridge Community to spend some time with Jenna before heading back.

"So? What's your point?"

Sherilyn's voice was thick with sarcasm. "A doctors' consultation? What were you going to do there? Take notes?"

"Sherilyn..." Gilbert's voice deepened, a touch of frustration bleeding through. "I needed to be there, to hear what the next steps would be..." "Why are you even explaining all this?"

Sherilyn cut him off, her impatience clear. "If your woman is more important than your daughter, then please, spare Jenna the hope!"

With that, she hung up.

"Sherilyn?!"

Gilbert stared at his phone, his brow furrowed in dismay.

"Mr. Johnson...?"

The nurse was urging him now, "The specialists are waiting, sir. Shall we go in now?"

Gilbert, still holding his phone, hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Yes."

Turning, he entered the doctor's office.

...

There had been a light rain that morning.

When Caroline woke up, the sound of rain was a soft backdrop to the eerie silence of the hospital room, her caretaker sitting quietly beside her. "Ms. Bet, you're awake..."

"Uh-huh..."

Caroline stretched, attempting to sit up, but the caretaker hurried to assist her.

"Why is it just you?"

Caroline's voice was sharp, her gaze suddenly wary as she shrugged off the caretaker's hand. "Where is everyone? Where's Francis? Where's Gilbert? After everything that's happened, neither of them is here?"

Were they abandoning her? Leaving her to fend for herself?

Tears welled up in Caroline's eyes as a mix of sorrow and despair flooded her, spreading to every limb.

She laughed bitterly through her tears. "Ha, haha..."

The caretaker, unnerved, spoke cautiously, "Ms. Bet, are you alright?"

"Alright? How can I be alright?"

Caroline's glare was fierce, her anger palpable. "Go, find Francis and Gilbert! Go! Now!"

"I... I don't know where..." The caretaker was visibly distressed, unsure of how to respond.

Her position didn't afford her the authority or means to summon the Johnsons on a whim. "So, you won't go?"

Caroline's laugh was cold, devoid of humor. "Fine! If you won't, I'll go myself!"

She threw back the covers, determined to get out of bed.

"Ms. Bet!" The caretaker was panicking, trying to hold her back. "Please, don't..."

"Get off me!"

"Caroline!"

The door swung open, and Gilbert rushed in. Seeing the scene unfold, he quickened his pace and went to Caroline's side, supporting her as the caretaker stepped back. Content

"Gilbert?" Caroline froze, disbelief coloring her voice as she stared into his face. "Is it really you?"

"Yes." Gilbert nodded firmly. "It's me."

"It's really you!"

Closing her eyes briefly, Caroline let

the tears fall, a smile breaking

through her sobs. "I thought...

thought you and Francis halne

abandoned me."

"Why would you think that? We would never leave you..."

As he spoke, Gilbert's phone rang.

It was Francis, calling to check on the consultation results. He had commitments at the office and had promised to call.

"Big brother."

Gilbert glanced at Caroline before answering the call.

"Yes, we've got the consultation results... Yes... Alright..."

After hanging up, Gilbert turned back to Caroline, his voice soothing. "See, big brother hasn't forgotten about you either. We're a family, always."

Caroline looked at him, tears streaming down her face, nodding vigorously. "I know, I know!"

"Caroline, don't give up."

As Gilbert helped her lie back down, he continued, "The consultation just ended. According to the specialists, as long as you follow through with the treatment, there's still hope for recovery."