Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change? novel Chapter 971

"Jenna, there's no boogeyman, sweetheart..."

Sherilyn was frantic, trying to soothe her daughter's fears.

"Sherilyn."

But Gilbert shook his head at her, "Let me handle this..."

"?" Sherilyn was momentarily puzzled, unsure of what he could possibly do, but she nodded in agreement.

Gilbert bent down to look at the little figure cradled in his arms, starting softly, "Actually, there is a boogeyman, and I saw him too."

"Mr. Gilbert saw him too?" Jenna's eyes, filled with tears, looked up in surprise.

"Yes, I did." Gilbert, holding Jenna close, sat down at the edge of the bed, his voice gentle and reassuring.

"I did more than see him; I chased him away."

"Wow..."

Miraculously, Jenna's eyes sparkled with admiration, looking up to him as if he were a hero.

"Did Mr. Gilbert save Jenna?"

"That's right."

With her being so irresistibly sweet, Gilbert leaned down to kiss her forehead, "So, Jenna, you don't have to be afraid anymore. The boogeyman has been chased away and can't hurt you now."

"Mhm!"

Jenna nodded vigorously, her little arms wrapping tightly around Gilbert's neck. "Mr. Gilbert is so cool!"

Sherilyn, standing to the side, was speechless, her expression a mix of relief and bemusement.

She had been so worried about scaring Jenna that she kept insisting there was no boogeyman...

So, this was another way to comfort her.

"Mr. Gilbert is hurt!"

Jenna noticed Gilbert's bandaged left hand, her eyes widening, "Did the boogeyman do that?"

"Yes, he did."

Gilbert held his chin high, showing off his arm with a hint of pride.

This was a wound he got for his daughter, a badge of his love.

"Does it hurt, Mr. Gilbert?" Jenna's face fell, her lips pouting, ready to cry again.

"It does hurt."

Gilbert presented his left hand to her, "But if Jenna blows on it, it won't hurt anymore."

"It's okay."

Gilbert, his heart going out to his daughter, smiled at Sherilyn, "Let Jenna stay here. I enjoy her company, and she's still scared."

This convinced Sherilyn.

"Alright then." Sherilyn sighed softly, cautioning him, "If you're not feeling well, you must tell me."

"I will."

But as the night deepened and Jenna fell asleep again, Gilbert didn't utter a word of complaint.

Not until Sherilyn had carried Jenna to the next room and returned did she find Gilbert, clutching his left arm, kneeling by the bed.

"Gilbert?"

Sherilyn rushed to his side in alarm, "What's wrong?"

"Sherilyn..." Gilbert looked up at her, attempting a smile that looked more like a grimace.

He had intended to stay strong, but the words that came out were, "It hurts so much!"

Considering the time, the anesthesia must have worn off completely.

Fingers to the heart, how could it not hurt? His pain was so intense that his lips had turned pale, and his forehead was covered in cold sweat.