Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Every time it happened was after she'd been touched by a man...

When she first started seeing him, she resisted him fiercely... but gradually, it seemed she began to accept him.

And then there was the half-brick.

He had heard about it.

When Sherilyn first returned to Sunhaven, she was hassled by some thugs. She defended herself with half a brick, ended up injuring someone, and got taken to the police station... So, was Sherilyn still carrying that half-brick around with her?

Why?

Gilbert was silent, his brow furrowed in thought.

There seemed to be so much about Sherilyn he didn't know.

...

Sherilyn didn't stay unconscious for long; twenty minutes later, she groggily came to.

"You awake?"

Opening her eyes, she saw Gilbert's handsome face close to hers.

"How are you feeling?" Gilbert asked, holding her hand with a gentle smile.

Sherilyn checked herself over, then shook her head, "I'm okay... just a bit of a sore neck."

That was from Gilbert knocking her out earlier.

By now, she remembered everything.

Her eyes sparkled, "That reporter... he was following me. He was acting all sneaky, I got it wrong. How is he?"

"Hmph."

Gilbert snorted with disdain, "He wasn't up to anything good. He got what he deserved!"

Not wanting her to worry, he added, "Don't fret, he just got a bit hurt. Someone took him to the hospital. And his equipment will be compensated." "Oh." Sherilyn nodded, relieved.

Only then did she realize she wasn't in her apartment at Sunset Ridge Community.

"Where is this?"

"Blue Haven, South Building. This is where I live."

Without needing further explanation from him, Sherilyn could guess why he'd brought her here.

Sherilyn stretched and sat up, "I should head back."

Gilbert reached out to help her, "It's late, and you haven't eaten anything. How about something to eat before you go?"

By this time, Sophia and Jenna would have had their dinner and be getting ready for bed.

He said, "Come on, have a little something. The kitchen's all ready."

"Okay." Sherilyn didn't refuse this time. "Thank you."

"Let's go."

...

The dining table was already set when they arrived in the dining room.

Gilbert helped Sherilyn to a seat, "Start with some soup."

"Alright, thanks."

Sherilyn bowed her head, sipping the soup in small, delicate spoonfuls.

Gilbert watched her serene demeanor, his gaze softening as he carefully chose his next words.

"Sherilyn, you scared me tonight, you know. You didn't even recognize me at first."

"..." Sherilyn paused, her grip on the spoon halting.

"Sherilyn."

Noticing her reaction, Gilbert's voice. softened further as he continued "The half-brick you use for defense, do you always carry it in your bag?"

"..." Sherilyn abruptly looked up to meet his gaze.

QUMS

Her lips were pressed tightly together, yet she said nothing.

"It is, isn't it?"

Seeing her expression, Gilbert was almost

certain, his Adamsnet

bobbing, "Then, Sherilyn, can you tell me why you keep a half-brich

bag?"

"Can you tell me, please?"

Their eyes locked.

Everything around them fell silent.

Sherilyn could hear her own heartbeat, her chest rising and falling more sharply.

Should she tell him?

Could she tell him?

Was she supposed to tell him?

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Gilbert frowned; who could it be at this hour? Especially now!

"Hold on, I'll see who it is."

At this late hour, it had to be either Charles or Nolan, and it was unlikely to be something trivial.

As expected, it was Nolan.

Gilbert opened the door, glanced back inside, then lowered his voice, "What's up?"

No

"Mr. Nine," Nolan chuckled softly,

"Found Saul! The kid, he's not

so well, huh? Didn't last

he?