Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change? novel Chapter 1291

For Gilbert, her words were like a thousand daggers to the heart, a poison seeping into his very soul.

He froze, utterly still, his heart aching as if it were being ripped apart. "No, I don't believe you!"

"You're the one who had to ask," Sherilyn said with a hollow laugh. "And now that I've told you, you don't believe me? Are you some kind of child?"

With a thud, Gilbert sank to his knees before her.

"Please, stop! Sherilyn, I'm begging you, don't say any more!" The man's repressed sobs sounded like the mournful cry of wind whistling through a desolate valley. "Don't do this to me! Do you have to be so cruel?"

Cruel?

Sherilyn slowly looked down at the man kneeling at her feet, murmuring, "Is this cruel?"

She suddenly smiled. "Back then, when I was so in love with you, you didn't love me, did you? If we're talking about cruelty, I'd say we're even."

Gilbert's shoulders trembled, and he abruptly raised his hands to cover his face. "Yes, this is what I deserve! I brought this on myself!"

Staring at the top of his dark head, she slowly lifted her hand... but after a moment, she let it fall.

She took a deep breath. "I'm grateful for everything you've done for Jenna and me this past year. But the resentment and hurt inside me... there's just too much of it."

"I can't lie to you. The truth is, the hate outweighs the gratitude. Get up..."

Bending slightly, she took his arm.

Of course, Gilbert hadn't forgotten. The relationship with Edgar failed partly because of the Ferguson family, and partly because of his own 'contribution' to its demise.

"So..." Gilbert's lips felt numb as he asked in a daze, "You're really... interested in Nanson?"

"Hmm..." Sherilyn considered it for a moment before answering. "Mr. Cooper is a nice man. It's not out of the question. If we're compatible, I'll seriously consider building a future with him."

As her words settled in the air, Gilbert squeezed his eyes shut, his hands clenched into tight fists. The bitter taste of defeat filled his mouth. "You'll have a life... but I won't have one anymore."

Sherilyn paused, momentarily lost in thought. Then she shook her head with a faint smile. "Don't speak in such absolutes."

Seeing his tormented expression, she was reminded of herself five years ago. "You might feel like you can't get over this now, but let me tell you from experience... there's nothing that time can't heal." Faint memories of the past flickered through her mind.