Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

"Hey, sure thing."

Charles was bewildered. What on earth was Mr. Gilbert up to?

Gilbert himself couldn't quite articulate it; it was more of a gut feeling he just knew that by following this Rebecca, he'd stumble upon Sherilyn!

He clasped his hands together, pressing them against his forehead, silently praying... Please, let us find Sherilyn!

Rebecca, laden with bags, was oblivious to the fact that she was being tailed.

She took the bus, got off near Twilight Trail at Sunflower Path, and entered the Sunset Ridge Community.

Charles frowned. "Mr. Gilbert, she went inside. What do we do now?"

"Follow her," Gilbert commanded calmly.

His phone rang. It was Francis.

"Big bro," Gilbert answered, "I'm at Sunflower Path, Sunset Ridge Community. Sherilyn... she should be here."

After a brief exchange, they hung up.

On the other end, Francis put down his phone and started to push a wheelchair outside.

"Francis, where are you off to?" Caroline asked.

Francis glanced at her, "Got a lead on Sherilyn. Heading to Sunset Ridge Community."

He added, "Stay here, keep Grandma company. Sawyer and I will handle it."

...

Inside the apartment. Sherilyn was trying to soothe Jenna.

"Be good, you need to get your shot. Without it, you'll get a fever, get sick... and that would make Mommy very sad."

Initially reluctant, Jenna's big, grape-like eyes began to shimmer at the last sentence.

"Like how Mommy's sad right now?"

"Yes, exactly." Sherilyn asked her, "Would Jenna be sad if Mommy got sick?"

"Would be very sad," Jenna quickly grasped the concept, struggling for a bit before resigning with a mix of defiance and bravery. "Jenna doesn't want Mommy to be sad. Jenna will get the shot."

"What a good girl."

"Okay then."

Sophia, who had been watching, clapped her hands and lifted Jenna, "Let's go get that shot, and if Jenna doesn't cry, Sophia will buy you a candy apple, okay?"

Jenna, resting on Sophia's shoulder but turning to look at Sherilyn, asked, "Mommy, is that okay?"

"Yes," Sherilyn nodded with a smile. "But only one, okay?"

"Mhm, thank you, Mommy."

Jenna, now cheerful, turned back to hug Sophia, "Thank you, Sophia. Jenna won't cry."

"Alright then."

Sophia carried Jenna out the door.

"Ah." Rebecca watched with envy. "Jenna's so adorable. You really hit the jackpot with a daughter like her."

She pulled up a chair and sat down, placing her bag on the floor. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me. Mum's the word."

Pointing at Sherilyn's hand, she asked, "Should we change the dressing?"

"Here," Sherilyn obediently lifted her hand, spreading it out, "I think it's okay..."

Rebecca unwrapped the existing

bandage and inspected

Although not a professional, could tell something was wrong.

"It looks swollen, maybe we should go to the hospital?"

"No..." Sherilyn instinctively refused, her face paling and her shoulders tensing. "If we go to the hospital, he'll find me!"

Gilbert's search for her at the dance

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questioning

member about her wherea staff

was all recounted to her by Rebecca.

She knew he was scouring the city for her.

And she didn't want to see him!

"It's alright, we won't go," Rebecca said, seeing her intense reaction and not daring to push further.

...

Downstairs, near the elevators.

Charles: "Mr. Gilbert, Rebecca stopped on the ninth floor."

"Right."

The elevator doors opened, and Gilbert stepped in first.

At the same time, the doors of the adjacent elevator opened, and Sophia emerged with Jenna in her arms.

"Off we go! To get a candy apple!"

Beside them, as the elevator doors were closing, Gilbert's gaze flickered, catching a glimpse... Was that... Jenna??