Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

“Seriously, I scared you?”

The bathroom door flew open, and there was Gilbert. He saw Sherilyn and Yates chilling on the couch, smiling at each other.

Instantly, he froze. His gaze landed on Sherilyn. Due to the height difference, she was looking up, her lips curved into a gentle, warm smile. He couldn’t recall ever receiving such a look from her. To him, she was an endless string of nagging and questioning. It turned out she could smile like that, just not for him, but for another man!

Suddenly, Gilbert felt a ripple of displeasure, marching straight toward the sofa, sparing Yates a glance. “You’re here.”

He completely ignored Sherilyn.

Yates nodded at him. “Yeah.”

The room door opened, and Allen and Abel arrived with breakfast. Gilbert had expected Yates‘ visit, so he got an extra portion, but Sherilyn’s presence was a surprise.

As Allen put down the breakfast, he admitted, “There’s only two.”

Upon hearing that, Yates hurriedly offered, “No worries, Sherilyn. Come have mine.”

Sherilyn? Gilbert was stunned. When did they get so close?

Sherilyn turned it down. “No, thanks, I’m good.”

“Not happening!”

Sherilyn’s refusal was a sure thing, but the other voice came from Gilbert.

What then?

Yates froze, caught in an awkward stare–down between the two. Casting a glare at Gilbert, he muttered, “What’s the big deal? It’s just breakfast.”

He knew Gilbert wasn’t fond of Sherilyn, but it was just a meal.

Saying so, he placed his portion before Sherilyn. “Sherilyn, eat! Don’t mind him. If you don’t eat, you’re snubbing me!”

What was she supposed to say?

Sherilyn hesitated for a long moment, then reluctantly accepted. “Well, thank you.”

“No problem.” Yates flashed a grin at her.

Sherilyn couldn’t help but smile back, revealing faint dimples at the corners of her lips.

That smile again! Gilbert frowned, a flicker of annoyance in his eyes, and he was about to

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erupt.

“Mph, mph…” Suddenly, from inside came Sylvia’s pained moans.

The three of them jolted with their expressions instantly turning solemn as they stood up and headed inside.

“Sylvia, it’s okay. We’ll change the sheets and clean you up…” Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

“Mph, mph!” Sylvia was holding her arms tightly, shaking her head in refusal.

“What’s going on?” Gilbert approached with his face clouded with concern as he questioned the nurse.

The nurse explained, “Here’s the case…”

It turned out that Sylvia had just had her catheter removed the previous night, but the aftereffects of the anesthesia hadn’t worn off, and she had a urinary incontinence. Sylvia had always been fiercely independent and was struggling to accept it.

“Grandma…” Gilbert’s brows furrowed, unsure of what to do. “Please listen to the nurses. Cooperate with them…”

Sylvia remained silent, stubbornly waving her hands, and finally closed her eyes.

“I’ll do it.” Sherilyn stepped forward, slipping her hand beneath the blanket to hold Sylvia’s.

“Sylvia, it’s me, Sherilyn. Let me help you, okay? I’m not a stranger. If my grandma were still here, I’d do the same for her.”

“Sherilyn?” Sylvia opened her eyes, gripping Sherilyn’s hand tightly. She was aware, though she hadn’t been fully conscious the night before.

She knew it was Sherilyn who had performed mouth–to–mouth to clear her airways. Not even her granddaughter might have done as much. At least, her grandson hadn’t! It wasn’t that her grandson

was unkind, but Sherilyn had thought to do it!

“Okay.” Sylvia nodded, tears in her eyes.

Sherilyn gestured for everyone else to leave. “You all go on out. I can manage alone.”

“Okay.”

“Sure.”

As the nurses and attendants turned to leave, Gilbert and Yates followed, closing the door behind them. Gilbert turned back for a last look at Sherilyn. His expression was complex, indescribable.