Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

David looked utterly torn as he gestured towards the door. "It's Ms. Bennett... She's here."

Before the echo of his words faded, Caroline made her entrance, deftly maneuvering a wheelchair through the doorway.

Catching sight of the brothers standing side by side, she paused momentarily before breaking into a casual smile. "Oh, Gilbert's here too." "Mhm." Gilbert nodded, a furrow of confusion creasing his brow. "It's rather late. What brings you here...is something the matter?"

"Is this your house?"

Caroline arched an eyebrow, her amusement clear. "Do I need your permission to come here?"

Gilbert was momentarily speechless, turning his gaze towards his brother for support.

Frankly, Francis shared his confusion. "Caroline... is there something you needed?" "Well..."

Just as she began, Josie, the caregiver, entered.

Standing behind her, Josie queried, "The movers are asking if they can start moving stuff in?"

Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but it caught the attention of both brothers.

Gilbert appeared stunned. Was she... planning to move back?

Francis, on the other hand, frowned deeply. "Caroline..."

"Mhm?"

She smiled, raising her eyebrows. "You heard that, right? So, I'll just come out with it. I'm moving back in."

Francis was momentarily lost for words, his lips parting slightly.

"What's with that expression?"

Caroline's smile stiffened slightly. "Are you saying you're not welcoming me back?"

Before Francis could reply, she continued sharply, "You did promise me that the Johnson household would always be my home." With a sarcastic tilt of her lips, she challenged, "I got tired of living outside, wanted to come back home. That's not a problem, is it?" Francis was caught off guard and, truly, he had made such a promise.

All he could do was nod. "Of course, no problem at all."

"Mhm." Caroline appeared satisfied, her smile broadening. "I knew it."

Turning to Josie, she instructed, "Go on, have them bring the stuff in. My room is..."

She paused, turning to Francis. "My room is still there, right?"

"Mhm." Francis nodded. "It's still there."

With the Johnson Mansion's vastness, not only was Caroline's room untouched, but Gilbert and Sherilyn's rooms were also preserved. "I knew it."

Caroline seemed even more

pleased, her smile glowing as she directed Josie. "My room's on the second floor, turn left at the top of the stairs, third door."

"Right away," Josie confirmed, leaving to oversee the movers bringing in belongings.

In the dining area, Sherilyn and Rebecca White came out with a fruit platter, puzzled by the scene unfolding before them. They exchanged glances. "What's going on?"

As the movers headed upstairs, they caught sight of Caroline in her wheelchair, causing both to skip a beat.

The same thought crossed their minds: Why is she here?

Caroline, catching sight of them, was momentarily taken aback, a fleeting surprise in her eyes, before she smiled warmly.

"Hi there, Sherilyn, Ms. White. It's good to see you both..."

Then, glancing at the brothers, her smile widened. "Looks like we're all gathered today, all paired off. How lively I hope I'm not interrupting?"

The 'paired off group fell into an awkward silence.

The atmosphere grew tense, almost palpable.

"What's with the stunned looks?"

Caroline's smile was light as she noticed the fruit platter in Sherilyn and Rebecca White's hands.

"What were you two up to? Go

ahead, don't mind me. I'm just

returning to my own home; no need

to fuss over me. Carry on with your

plans, don't let me disrupt them."