Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change? novel Chapter 1196

4:00 PM. Rebecca White clocked out early.

As soon as she stepped out of the office, David—the Johnson family's driver—was already parked at the curb, waiting for her.

“Ms. White, your ride's ready.”

“Thanks, David.”

Lately, David had been the one shuttling Rebecca around.

Today, just like most days, the car headed straight for James’s elementary school. Francis had been swamped at work and usually went straight to the hospital afterwards, so if Rebecca had the time, she’d pick up James first, and the two of them would head back together to Whispering Pines Villas.

Rebecca found James waiting by the school gate, easy as pie.

“Ms. White!” James yelled, barreling into her arms and wrapping his little arms around her neck. “Can we go out on a date today?”

Rebecca raised an eyebrow, amused. “A date, huh?”

“Yeah!” James nodded so hard his hair flopped. “It’s Friday, so no school tomorrow! I can skip homework just this once… and I’ll treat you to fried chicken and burgers, okay?”

Rebecca couldn’t help laughing. So that’s what this was about—the little guy was craving some fast food.

No kid could resist fried chicken and burgers. Especially a kid like James, whose family chef whipped up healthy, balanced meals every day. Francis, ever the strict dad, would never let him near so-called “junk food.”

“Ms. White!” James cupped her cheeks with his sticky hands, desperate. “Please?”

Rebecca pretended to think it over, then grinned. “Alright. Just this once.”

James lit up like a Christmas tree. “You’re the best!” He planted a big, ketchup-flavored kiss on her cheek, then puffed up his chest. “Let’s go! I’ll lead the way!”

“Alright, let’s go,” Rebecca laughed.

Once they piled into the car, Rebecca told David, “Can you take us downtown, please?”

“Sure thing.”

They hopped out near the mall and headed straight for a fried chicken joint. Just the two of them, they ordered a family bucket, way more food than they could finish.

“Ms. White, you eat!” James chirped, holding a French fry dripping with ketchup up to her mouth.

It was Eddy—tousled hair, travel-worn, clearly just off a flight.

“You’re back!” Rebecca smiled, “Thanks for visiting my mom.”

“Just got in,” Eddy said, glancing at the restroom door. “Had to stop in here. I thought I saw…”

He nodded towards where James had disappeared. “That little guy—he’s with you?”

Rebecca hesitated, lips pressed together.

Eddy frowned, piecing it together. “Wait… is that Mr. Johnson’s kid?”

Rebecca nodded. “Yeah. That’s him.”

Eddy’s eyes nearly popped out. “Whoa, Mr. Johnson’s kid is that old already?”

He shot Rebecca a look, half-shocked, half-teasing. “So you’re just… stepping right into the stepmom role, huh?”