Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change? novel Chapter 1176

"Excuse me?"

Francis stared at her, eyebrows shooting up in disbelief. "What did you just say?"

"Didn't catch that?"

Caroline sat up straighter, gripping the arms of her chair so tightly her knuckles went white. Slowly, she repeated herself.

"I said, I want you to break up with Rebecca White."

Francis was sure he'd heard her right, but he couldn't make sense of it. Why on earth would she say something like that?

"That's not happening," he said, his expression hardening as he shook his head. "Rebecca and I are getting married soon."

"Married? Ha!"

Caroline practically leapt out of her seat, her face flushing red. "You wouldn't dare!"

Her eyes shone with tears, and her breathing grew ragged.

"Do you even know who hurt me all those years ago? It was Rebecca's husband, Eddy!"

She shot a glance over at Gilbert.

"I already asked Gilbert. He confirmed it. Don’t believe me? Ask him yourself!"

Gilbert's eyes widened. He did know—at least, he knew part of it. But what exactly did Caroline mean?

"Francis!" Caroline grabbed his arm, her voice trembling. "I'd never forget that face! The man who hurt me was Eddy! That’s why I came back—I have to stop you from being with Rebecca!"

Her emotions spilled over; tears glistened on her lashes.

"Eddy and Rebecca... he violated me, and she seduced you. They're the reason we were torn apart. It was all their plan! You can't marry Rebecca!"

"Caroline."

Francis frowned, his gaze dark and steady.

"The night you were with Eddy... that was Eddy and Rebecca’s wedding night."

Caroline’s mouth dropped open, her mind reeling. "Their wedding night... then how did I—? Where was Rebecca?"

"Rebecca... she was with me that night."

Gilbert stared, thunderstruck. But Caroline was frozen solid, every muscle locked, her eyes fixed and unblinking.

What was Francis saying?

He placed a hand gently on her shoulder.

"That night, I was with her. I failed you—and I failed Rebecca, too."

The words hung in the air, heavy and suffocating.

For a long moment, nobody spoke.