Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Sherilyn stood frozen, her gaze locked on the couple about to kiss. Oh, no. That was not happening. While facing her direction, Gilbert’s face drained of color, his hold on Caroline turning rigid, and he wondered, ‘Sherilyn? Why is she here?”

Sherilyn snapped out of her daze, spinning on her heel and bolting. Why was she running? Was he some monster?

“Caroline,” Gilbert’s voice was sharp as he pushed Caroline gently away. “You don’t need to see me off. I can manage on my own!” With that, he strode off in the direction Sherilyn. had vanished.

“Gilbert!” Caroline stared after him, her hand gripping tighter around herself. Did she scare him off by being too forward?

Thanks to his long legs and knowledge of the area, Gilbert quickly caught up with Sherilyn and cornered her in the stairwell.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked.

Trapped, Sherilyn pressed her back against the wall.

Gilbert leaned in, his arms bracketing her. “Running from what? Am I a ghost to you?”

‘You’re scarier than any ghost!‘ Sherilyn thought, trying her best to curl up and avoid physical contact. © 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

“Please, just let me go,” she pleaded, her hands clasped together. “I didn’t mean to intrude!” It wasn’t her fault they had chosen such a public spot for their intimacy. Anyone could

have walked in on them.

“Intrude?” Gilbert’s face darkened, his eyes narrowing as he uttered, his voice deep and

menacing.

Caroline was his sister–in–law. How could anyone think otherwise? Sherilyn wasn’t the first to misjudge him. Half of Sunhaven seemed to have the wrong idea about him. He never bothered to correct them. After all, what was there to explain? His past with Caroline was there, yet he lived openly, unafraid of gossip.

But for some reason, he clarified, “It’s not what you think between me and Caroline.”

“What do I think?” Sherilyn was confused.

“Gilbert!” she exclaimed, seeing his frustration. “Are you… explaining things to me?”

His silence was confirmation enough.

“Why?” she was genuinely surprised and confused. “I’m your ex–wife. You don’t owe me

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any explanations. Whatever’s between you and Caroline, as long as you know the truth, that’s what matters.”

Gilbert was at a loss for words, realizing the futility of his explanation.

“Or maybe…” Sherilyn pondered aloud, “You should explain it to Fran?”

“Sherilyn!” His anger reignited at the mention.

“You’re pushing it,” he warned.

Sherilyn ducked under his arm and ran, calling over her shoulder, “Maybe you should ask Sylvia for her blessing! It wouldn’t be the first time something like this has happened!”

What was she implying? Was she implying that he was involved with his sister–in–law. while his brother was lying in bed, unconscious? That wouldn’t be happening. The Johnson family would never stand for such a scandal, not to mention….

Watching Sherilyn’s retreating figure, Gilbert’s expression soured. The thought of Caroline’s earlier look made him uneasy.