Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change? novel Chapter 1213

“She’s lost her mind?”

Sherilyn jabbed a finger toward Caroline, who lay trembling on the bed.

A cold, scornful smile curled on Sherilyn’s lips. “Someone as calculating as her—do you really think she could go mad?”

Her tone dripped with contempt.

“Mental illness isn’t something you just catch like a cold. People who really break down are the sensitive ones, the ones who actually feel. She doesn’t even have feelings—what makes her think she qualifies?”

“Sherilyn…” Gilbert faltered, searching for words.

“What? Are you going to argue with me?”

Disappointment flickered across Sherilyn’s face as she shook her head. “Do you really not get it? Or are you just playing dumb to defend her?”

She took a breath and launched into a tirade.

“Back then, when Grandma told her to choose between you and Francis, she picked Francis. And why? Because she knew perfectly well you were never meant to inherit the Johnson estate—Francis was the real heir. Only by marrying Francis could she become the true lady of the house.”

Sherilyn’s smile turned razor-sharp. “Then Francis had that car accident, and when it looked like he’d never wake up, she immediately set her sights on you. Because if Francis was out of the picture, the family fortune would go to you.”

“And later? When Francis miraculously recovered, she thought there was hope again. But then she found out Francis had a child—James. And right as you inherited the Harrison estate, she switched her target back to you.”

Sherilyn’s gaze was piercing, as if she could see right through every pretense. “She’s always known exactly what she wants. Her world is all about gain and advantage—tell me, how could someone like that just lose her mind?”

She paused, as if recalling something, and offered a pointed example.

“If she was really going to break down, it would’ve happened years ago. Look at what happened to Rebecca White—five years ago she couldn’t handle the shock and had a mental collapse. She even lost a whole year of her memory.”

Sherilyn fixed her eyes on Gilbert, unblinking. “But Caroline waits five years to fall apart? Does that make any sense to you? Do you honestly believe it?”

“You’re right, I get what you’re saying,” Gilbert admitted, his brow furrowed with worry. “But this isn’t about what I believe. It’s a fact. That’s what the doctors said.”

He nodded toward Caroline, who shrank further under their scrutiny, her fear growing with every word.

“Just look at her…”

“Sherilyn, I can’t. I don’t have a choice. Just like I couldn’t choose my parents, I can’t turn my back on the people who’ve helped me. She’s done a lot for me…”

“That’s enough!”

Sherilyn cut him off, unable to take it any longer. He went in circles, the same old arguments, over and over, never ending.

She closed her eyes for a moment, pinching the bridge of her nose.

“You can’t choose your family, or the people you owe, but you can choose who you love. Why can’t you just let me go?”

Her eyes locked onto his, though her arm pointed straight at Caroline.

“I finally get it. I should never have been with you. As long as I stay in your life, that lunatic will never leave me alone.”

“Sherilyn!”

Gilbert’s pupils contracted, anger flaring in his eyes. “Don’t say things like that just because you’re upset. It hurts.”