Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change? novel Chapter 1274

Finally, there was quiet.

"Joyce," Sherilyn said, stepping closer and taking her arm, wanting to offer some comfort but not knowing where to begin. There was truly nothing good to be said about a person like Malvina.

"Yeah…" Joyce responded softly, her gaze drifting in the direction Galen had gone. A bitter taste filled her mouth. "So that's his mother… She's really… just awful." Although she already knew Malvina wasn't a pleasant person, hearing about it was nothing like experiencing it firsthand.

She turned to Sherilyn with a humorless laugh. "And to think, she looks down on me."

"I'm sorry," Sherilyn said, squeezing her hand. "This is because of me…"

"No," Joyce shook her head, murmuring, "Didn't you hear her? She also complained that I'm too old."

"That's just how she is." Sherilyn didn't know what else to say. To this day, she couldn't understand what Farley had ever seen in Malvina. In terms of looks, talent, or temperament, Malvina couldn't hold a candle to her own mother.

"She's a small-minded person," Sherilyn advised. "It's not worth getting upset over her."

"I know," Joyce said after a moment, nodding. "I didn't get all this education just to argue with a petty, common woman."

"Exactly," Sherilyn said, relieved. "I'm glad you see it that way." She studied Joyce's face and added carefully, "At least Galen knows his own mind." He had protected her and managed to control his mother when it mattered.

"Yes," Joyce agreed, her expression softening slightly, but her heart was still in turmoil. With a mother like that, could she and Galen really have a future?

…

At the work site, the crew had finished. Galen did a final check to make sure everything was in order, then got in his car and drove to Wind Bridge Cemetery.

By the time he arrived, the sky was beginning to lighten.

During the burial, Jenna stirred in Nanson's arms, letting out a soft, sleepy murmur. Her eyelashes fluttered, and she opened her large, grape-like eyes.

"Jenna! Jenna!"

In the distance, James was running toward them with Gilbert following close behind. Francis and Galen were overseeing the burial, and Rebecca White was keeping Sherilyn company. Gilbert's position was awkward, so the task of looking after James had fallen to him. As soon as James woke up, he had insisted on finding his sister, and Gilbert, who also missed Jenna, had brought him over.

The first thing he saw was Jenna laughing and chatting affectionately with Nanson.

"Jenna!" James called out, running to his sister.

Jenna turned at the sound of his voice, but her eyes landed first on Gilbert.

"Jenna…" Gilbert immediately put on an eager, hopeful smile.

"Hmph!"