Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Gilbert was noncommittal, his tone casual as he flipped the question back at her, "How did you get here? Finished up at Grandma's?" "No."

Caroline shook her head, wrapping her arms around herself as she deliberated for a moment, "I'm staying with your older brother at the moment, and it's a bit awkward, so I thought I'd come over."

Their relationship had always been more akin to sweethearts since childhood, lovers for over a decade before parting ways. Now, were they to be friends, or siblings? Gilbert hesitated before asking, "You doing alright?"

"Huh?"

Caroline paused, a laugh escaping her, "I'm fine, really. What's there to be not fine about? Just a breakup, that's all. The world's full of heartbreak; it won't kill me." Then, she turned the conversation to Gilbert.

"Aren't you the same?"

After finishing, she seemed doubtful, "I heard it from Sherilyn. He said you two broke up, and it was you who initiated it, right?"

This was something Gilbert couldn't deny.

He had told Sherilyn it was over because he misunderstood, believing she had terminated their child...

But yes, it was he who had brought it up, even if he regretted it now.

"Yeah." Gilbert nodded.

...

In the restroom, Sherilyn emerged from a stall and washed her hands at the sink.

She was still in the hospital.

It was just that she had come to the restroom during her period, taking a brief break.

After washing up, Sherilyn left the restroom, heading back to the examination room where Gilbert was waiting in line.

The hospital was quieter at night, especially the examination department.

As she turned a corner, she could clearly hear a man and a woman talking and abruptly stopped in her tracks.

...

"That explains it..."

Caroline realized, bringing up the cast dinner from earlier that evening, "She just exchanged numbers with that driver, telling him she didn't have a boyfriend." Then she laughed, "Are we, like, in the same boat here?"

As she said this, Caroline's heart raced, though her face remained cool, her tone teasing.

"What do you think of me?"

"What?" Gilbert was taken aback, not quite grasping her meaning.

"Gilbert." Caroline's smile faded slightly, a hint of nervousness appearing.

Her eyes shimmered faintly with moisture, "If had known we'd end up here, I should have chosen you back then. We know each other insideout, hardly ever fight, we'd probably get along really welb.."

DUMS

.n

She looked at him steadily, mustering her courage, "Gilbert, if I choose you now, is it too late?"

Around the corner, Sherilyn's pupils

velte

dilated, instinctively stepping b as she overheard Caroline's confession to Gilbert!

This was not the moment to interrupt, right?

Maybe she should just leave.

"Miss, could you please lift your foot? You're stepping on my mop..."

The speaker was a janitor working the night shift, mopping the floor when Sherilyn suddenly stepped back.

Sherilyn turned around quickly, lifting her foot with an apologetic chuckle, "Oh, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay."

"Sherilyn?"

Gilbert, still processing Caroline's words, heard the noise from the corner.

It was Sherilyn's voice!

He hurried over, and sure enough, it was Sherilyn.

Gilbert's face lit up, "Sherilyn, you didn't leave? You just went to..."

Before he could finish, Sherilyn Caroline trailing behind him and

gave an awkward smile, "and

content belongs t

Just as she turned to leave.

"Where to?"

was just

0

Gilbert caught her, Sherilyn's gaze turning icy, "I don't need to report my whereabouts to you."

Gilbert frowned, his expression darkening, "I'm just worried about you..."

"No need," Sherilyn's smile was faint, "Save your concern for someone who needs it."