Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change? novel Chapter 1216

“When… did your illness start?”

“It’s been a while now.”

Eddy’s answer was barely more than a sigh, his voice low and distant, as if he were talking to himself. “At first, I didn’t even realize…”

“I just thought I was being petty, that I couldn’t control my emotions. It never occurred to me to see a doctor. Later, it got worse—I didn’t just lash out at you, I started hurting myself too… I wasn’t properly diagnosed until two years ago.”

Rebecca White stared at him, her mouth open in shock. For a long moment, she couldn’t find a single word.

“You… you…”

A knot twisted in her chest, her vision blurring with tears. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Tell you?” Eddy let out a bitter, self-mocking laugh. “What good would that have done? Rebecca, I’m falling apart. I started rotting from the inside out the night we got married. I’m beyond saving.”

Suddenly, Rebecca turned away, and tears streamed down her face.

“Rebecca.”

Eddy froze for a second, then hurriedly pulled a tissue from the box and held it out to her. “You’re crying? For someone like me? I’m not worth it.”

“Thank you.”

Rebecca took the tissue and pressed it to her eyes, trying desperately to force the tears back.

Eddy said nothing more, just watched her quietly, waiting for her to pull herself together.

After a while, Rebecca managed to compose herself. She crumpled the tissue in her hand.

“So… how are you now? What did the doctor say?”

“I’m doing alright,” Eddy replied with a faint smile. “This clinic—Sunhaven—has the best therapists in town. I’m managing pretty well, actually.”

Managing pretty well? Rebecca wasn’t naive. She could tell he was just trying to reassure her. If he was really as in control as he claimed, why was his arm wrapped in bandages?

Eddy meant well. That was who he’d always been: polite, gentle, considerate to a fault.

“Is that so?” She saw through his words but chose not to call him out. Forcing a small smile, she nodded. “That’s good to hear.”

She stood up. “Well… I should get going.”

“Wait!”

“Rebecca…” Sherilyn sighed softly. “What do you want to do? Whatever it is, just do it.”

She’d overheard the whole conversation. Shocked, moved—her own feelings were a mess. If she felt this way, how much worse must it be for Rebecca?

“Sherilyn!”

Rebecca suddenly squeezed her hand tight, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“I didn’t know— I had no idea he was sick… I didn’t know at all! Why didn’t I know?”

How could she not cry?

“I’m not making excuses for him, but… Eddy’s a victim too. He’s sick.”

“I know,” Sherilyn murmured, drawing her into a gentle hug.

Bipolar disorder.

It could make you hurt others, or yourself. Sometimes your own body betrayed you, and there was nothing you could do.

There really were a thousand different ways for people to suffer in this world.