Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Gilbert felt as though she was as unreachable as a distant star in the night sky. Squinting his eyes, he sensed an emptiness, a barren void in his chest. He had never truly possessed her, yet it seemed as if he had lost her a million times over... In the hospital room, Rebecca White had just arrived, carrying two large bags.

"Sherilyn!"

Standing at the nurse's station, ready to have a nurse unlock the door, Rebecca called out, "These are from Sophia. You're back? Is the surgery over?"

It must have gone well to be finished so early, right?

"Yeah."

Sherilyn nodded, her lips curling into a pleased smile. "The surgery was a success!"

"Oh, that's wonderful!"

Upon hearing the news, Rebecca's bags dropped to the floor as she jumped up to hug Sherilyn. "I'm so relieved!"

Tears of genuine joy filled her eyes, truly happy for her friend.

"Sherilyn, you've finally overcome your trials!"

"Mm..." Sherilyn paused, then smiled, "Yes, I have."

"That's great..."

When Rebecca asked about Jenna, learning she wouldn't be returning to the room just yet, she glanced at the bags on the floor, puzzled.

"Oh, Sophia sent over a bunch of food."

"Let's dig in," Sherilyn suggested with a grin. "We'll save some for Jenna when she gets back."

"Sounds good," Rebecca agreed with a laugh. "Jenna's the 'newbie'; she deserves the freshest, the best!"

Picking up their bags, they chatted and laughed as they headed into the quiet room.

As they unpacked and talked, Sherilyn turned to Rebecca, "I've been so caught up with Jenna's situation, I forgot to ask. How have you been?" "Pretty good."

Rebecca nodded, then recalled something, "Actually, I recently applied for a designer position and made it past the initial screening."

"Really?"

That was indeed good news.

"Congratulations."

"It's not a sure thing yet," Rebecca said, shaking her head with a smile. "I've sent in my resume and portfolio, but there's still an interview. Nothing's set in stone." "But there's hope, right?"

Sherilyn sighed, "That's wonderful."

Then she remembered something else, "How's your divorce going? Smoothly?"

"It's been straightforward..."

They pulled up chairs as Rebecca elaborated, "I've drafted the divorce agreement and sent it to Eddy. Just waiting on his response now."

She explained, "The agreement is

simple. I have no demands, no property, disputes, and since we don't have children, there's no custody battle. He just needs to sign it, and that's that."

"Mm."

...

That evening, Sherilyn stayed in the hospital room as usual. With Jenna absent, she needed to stay in case any issues arose requiring family contact. Malvina hadn't stayed the night, perhaps feeling that Gaten was in good hands with the nursing staff around.

After she left, Sherilyn went to check on Galen. She gave him water and some soup.

Galen chuckled, "Sis, you really don't need to worry about me. Dr. Neil said I'd be discharged in a week."

"Stay an extra week," Sherilyn frowned. "You've been hospitalized twice this year for major surgeries. Let me have some peace of mind..."

With that, Galen couldn't argue, "Alright, I'll listen to you."

He grinned broadly, the picture of carefree youth.

Sherilyn couldn't help but marvel at

uldn't

his resilience, At 22, 23 years old, he was still practically a kid by today's standards. His sense of honor and responsibility was something his father, Farley, had never possessed...

Leaving the hospital, Rebecca White made her way back to Sunset Ridge Community. On the road, her phone rang with an unfamiliar number. "Hello?"

"Hello..."

A deep, husky male voice came through, both familiar and foreign.