Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Just as Gilbert was about to speak, he hesitated.

"Who's there?"

Then, Sherilyn appeared, arms crossed, her long hair cascading down her back as she stepped out from the shadows.

Gilbert panicked, breaking out in a cold sweat, "Sherilyn..."

Gilbert spread his hands in a silent plea of ignorance.

She just laughed, a sly smile playing on her lips, her voice low, "Should I make myself scarce?"

Hearing her, Caroline looked up from where she was nestled in Gilbert's arms, her expression a mix of surprise and confusion, "You... What are you doing here?"

Sherilyn found amusement in the question, her laughter deepening, "Is it so strange for me to be here?"

"Caroline."

The tension was palpable as Gilbert intervened, "Sherilyn is my girlfriend."

"I know." Caroline nodded, though the acknowledgment did nothing to ease the surprise. Despite knowing, she hadn't expected them to be living together-cohabitating, even!

Sherilyn's smirk was tinged with iciness as she looked at Gilbert, her chin lifted defiantly, “Seems like your darling here thinks I shouldn't be around. Am I in the way?"

Then, as if rethinking her stance, she gestured upstairs, "I should head up."

Then she paused and reconsidered. "Actually, I should leave."

Why would she stick around when Gilbert's heart's desire was clear?

Understanding the situation, Sherilyn nodded to herself and headed for the door, "I'll just leave then..."

"Sherilyn!" Gilbert caught her arm in desperation, "Don't be like this..."

"What?" She blinked innocently, "I'm making space for you two. Is that wrong now?"

"Sherilyn..."

"Sherilyn!" Caroline couldn't contain her frustration any longer, her disdain for Sherilyn peaking. "Enough! Is this how you treat Gilbert?"

"Oh?"

Sherilyn's interest peaked as she shrugged off Caroline, "And how exactly am I treating him?"

"Since I walked in, every word from your mouth has been an insult."

Caroline's glare was piercing, fixated on Sherilyn.

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“Ah?" Sherilyn feigned shock. "You think him liking you is an insult to him?"

"Sherilyn!"

"Sherilyn!"

Their voices overlapped.

"Oh my." Sherilyn clutched her chest in mock fright, "I'm not deaf. No need to shout." "Sherilyn."

Caroline couldn't stand her

pretentious demeanor, "Gilbert and I grew up together. We share a bond closer than friends! You might not understand our relationship, but please, stop the insults!"

"You really are something..." Sherilyn was at a loss, shaking her head in disbelief.

"I was making room for you, and now you accuse me of insulting him... What do you want, exactly?”

"Sherilyn!” Finally, Gilbert spoke up.

Holding Sherilyn's wrist, his

expression grim, Gilbert tried to keep

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e gentle, "Go upstairs a

wait for me." Content belo

“Really?" Sherilyn raised an eyebrow, challenging.

"Sherilyn!" Gilbert's voice grew stern.

"Fine." She shrugged, relenting, "I'll go up then."Content bel0ngs to Nôvel(D)r/a/ma.Org.

As she turned to leave, the doorbell rang once more.

to

Caroline tensed, gripping Gilbert's arm. “Gilbert, don't let him in! I can't face him!"