Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change? novel Chapter 1238

“Gilbert…” Her voice was little more than a whisper, his name slipping out as memories of their last ten years together flashed before her eyes.

In the past, he’d never loved her—there was only coldness, distance, and that was the truth.

Now, there was affection, tenderness toward Jenna—also the truth.

And his debt to Caroline, the gratitude he could never ignore, was just as real.

After all those years, all the circling and heartbreak, maybe… this was the best ending they could hope for.

A clean break. Each finding their own peace.

…

Gilbert made his way downstairs, only to be stopped by a housekeeper.

“Sir…”

The housekeeper took one look at his bloodshot eyes and stopped short, momentarily forgetting what she’d meant to say.

“What is it?” Gilbert’s tone was cool as he glanced at her. “Go ahead.”

“It’s just…” The housekeeper pointed nervously toward the kitchen. “Your medicine for tonight—you haven’t taken it yet. Where would you like it?”

Gilbert gave a small nod. “Just leave it there. I’ll go drink it.”

“Yes, sir.”

She watched him walk away, muttering to herself in silent concern. Did he argue with Ms. Gomez again? She half expected him to refuse his medicine in a fit of temper.

Gilbert had no idea what she was thinking. The truth was, he had to take the medicine. He couldn’t afford not to.

Because he couldn’t die.

He had to live—live well.

Only by living could he atone.

He could no longer be Sherilyn’s husband, or Jenna’s father, but he still had to be their support, their safety net.

His phone started to ring. Francis.

He hesitated for a couple of seconds, then flipped the phone over, ignoring the call.

He picked up the cup, tilted his head back, and swallowed the bitter medicine in one gulp.

The taste numbed everything from his tongue to his heart.

…

As he stepped out into the foyer, Charles was waiting by the door.

Gilbert took a step down the stairs and suddenly missed his footing, stumbling forward.

“Sherilyn doesn’t want you going to see Caroline anymore, and you haven’t, right?” Charles ventured. “You even blocked the hospital nurses’ calls—wasn’t that for Sherilyn?”

Charles was bewildered. “You didn’t tell Sherilyn?”

Tell her? Gilbert’s eyes were dark, bottomless. “How could I?”

After knowing all that Sherilyn had endured, how could he shamelessly ask her to love him? And Sherilyn—she refused her own medicine, rejected treatment, even hurt herself, all just to get away from him.

He could only let her go.

Charles stammered, “But, Mr. Gilbert… can you really manage on your own?”

Gilbert let out a bitter laugh. “Whether I can or not, I have no other choice.”

This was only the beginning. Ahead of him stretched a long, solitary road.

He hurt when he left Sherilyn.

But if she stayed, she would hurt even more.

There was no real choice—he would rather bear the pain himself.

He thought back to the fleeting year he’d shared with Sherilyn; it almost felt like a dream, over before it began.

But now, that single year was his whole lifetime.