Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change? novel Chapter 1188

Here’s your text adapted as a Western-style, localized English novel scene, with Western foods, customs, names, and phrasing. Let me know if you want any details tweaked!

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He shook his head, stammering, “It’s not about ‘pointing fingers’ or anything, Sherilyn. I’m just worried about you.”

“Worried about what? That I’ll run away?”

Sherilyn gave a bitter, self-deprecating smile. “Yeah, as if I could. Trust me, I’ve thought about it, but I know I can’t. Even if I wanted to, there’s nowhere for me to go.”

Her eyes were rimmed red, a faint shimmer glistening in them.

“No matter what I want, I’m stuck here. Stuck with this endless mess…”

“Sherilyn!”

Gilbert’s heart twisted. He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight. “It’s not endless. I promise, it’s not.”

“Oh, really?”

Sherilyn gave a hollow laugh. “And how can you be so sure? Your mom’s… issues—no one’s been able to fix those.”

“That doesn’t have to affect us!”

Gilbert cupped her delicate back, his voice low and sincere.

“I care about you. Only you. After everything that happened… things are different now. What happened with her was an accident. Please, you have to believe me.”

Hmph.

Sherilyn rested her head on his shoulder, letting out a barely audible, cold little snort.

Believe him? What difference would it make?

Even if they got through this, there’d just be something else next time.

She’d seen it all too clearly—Caroline was a nightmare that just wouldn’t let go. She always found some excuse to cling to him, haunting them like a ghost.

Sherilyn closed her eyes in exhaustion.

How long could life go on like this?

…

A little after five in the afternoon, Sherilyn came inside with Jenna after playing in the garden. The scent of freshly cut grass clung to their clothes. As soon as they walked in, she spotted Gilbert.

He was home already? That early?

“Daddy!”

Jenna squealed, rushing over.

Her voice was gentle, but every word was a dagger.

“That’s not it.”

Gilbert frowned, hurrying to explain. “Please hear me out. I know I upset you today. I came home early on purpose. I wanted to spend time with you.”

“Really?”

Sherilyn’s tone was skeptical. “So what about her? Isn’t she supposed to freak out if you’re not there?”

“It’s not just me.”

Gilbert shook his head, the crease between his brows deepening. “My brother is there too. Mostly him, actually…”

He hated throwing his brother under the bus, but at this point he had no choice.

“I stopped by this morning to help out. My brother’s covering the afternoon and evening. He’s even staying overnight.”

So that’s how they arranged it?

“How thoughtful,” Sherilyn snorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Brother by day, you by night… She’s got quite the setup. Having the both of you at her beck and call. I bet she feels like the queen of the castle.”