Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change? novel Chapter 1159

Rebecca White leaned against Francis’s shoulder, her tears quiet and raspy, grief spilling out from somewhere deep in her bones, so bottomless it seemed it would never end.

Her head throbbed, pain crashing over her again. She squeezed her eyes shut, nearly collapsing into Francis’s arms.

“Rebecca?” Francis’s voice was low, full of worry.

He caught her just in time, scooping her up in his arms, and laid her gently back on the bed.

She pressed a hand to her temple, her face twisted in pain.

Francis stuck his head out the door and called, “Jane!”

“Coming!” The nurse hurried in, apron still on, “Mr. Johnson?”

“Her meds?”

“I’ll grab them right away.”

Rebecca had to take her medication every evening, but tonight, she’d gone straight to bed and missed her dose.

Jane was back in no time, pills and a glass of water in hand. “Here you go, Mr. Johnson.”

Francis eased Rebecca up so she rested against his chest, then took the pills and water from Jane. He soothed her, voice gentle, “Come on, honey. Take your meds, you’ll feel better.”

Rebecca parted her lips and let him place the small pill on her tongue. He held the glass to her mouth, waited as she swallowed.

“Thanks, Jane,” Francis waved the nurse away.

“Yes, sir.” Jane left quietly, closing the door behind her.

Carefully, Francis laid Rebecca back down, tucking the covers around her. He wasn’t one for words, but he squeezed her hand, trying his best to comfort her.

“Don’t dwell on the past. James is safe now. Once you’re better, we’ll have plenty of days together—just us, as a family.”

He brushed away her tears.

“No more crying, sweetheart. Your eyes are all puffy already.”

Most importantly, he thought, she’d make herself sick if she kept this up.

“Mm.” Rebecca nodded, reining in her tears with an effort.

“Close your eyes,” Francis urged her softly. “Try to get some sleep.”

He stepped out, returning soon with an ice pack. He pressed it gently to Rebecca’s eyes, then sat down on the edge of the bed and took her hand again.

“Try to sleep. I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be right here with you.”

“Okay.”

Rebecca’s fingers curled around his, holding on to his warmth. Her breathing slowed as she drifted off, finally at peace.

Francis watched over her in silence, his heart aching for her, but also relieved. Now that she remembered, maybe her sleepwalking would finally get better.

A soft whimper sounded from the bed.

“Rebecca?” Francis frowned, leaning closer. She hadn’t woken up—she was crying in her sleep, still caught in her sadness.

What was he supposed to do?

After a moment’s hesitation, Francis slipped off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, and gently gathered Rebecca into his arms, lying beside her.

He felt awkward—after all, even though they had James, that night years ago was a blur, and he couldn’t remember a thing.