Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Gilbert was struck dumb, his face a mix of pale and flushed shades of disbelief. Had Sherilyn really just told him to get lost? He realized then, she must have overheard the conversation he had with Caroline.

"Sherilyn!" Gilbert rubbed his forehead, trying to mask his guilt with a weak smile. "You've got it all wrong..."Nôvel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.

How could he possibly explain himself? "I don't know why Caroline would say something like that..."

Sherilyn let out a cold, mocking laugh. "You don't know? Because of her, you've already used me once. What, got a taste for it and coming back for seconds?"

"Sherilyn..."

"Listen up, it's not happening!" Sherilyn didn't want to hear his excuses, her laugh colder than before. "Four years, Gilbert. You think I haven't wised up? You can't play me anymore!"

"Sherilyn, I really didn't..."

Gilbert felt utterly defenseless. "What do I have to do to make you believe me?"

"Fine!" Sherilyn pointed at the hand he had on her arm. "Let go of me now! And keep your distance from now on! That's the only way I'll believe you!" This... Gilbert was taken aback. Meeting Sherilyn's unyielding gaze, he finally admitted defeat.

"Alright." He sighed, slowly releasing his grip on her.

Without wasting another moment, Sherilyn turned and opened the car door.

Watching her leave, Gilbert felt a suffocating sense of desperation. He suddenly realized-Sherilyn truly despised him, maybe even hated him. "Sherilyn!" Without a second thought, Gilbert called out to her.

Sherilyn stopped but didn't turn around.

"Do you... do you hate me?" Gilbert's voice was barely a whisper, his heart twisted in agony.

Sherilyn stiffened, then slowly turned to face him.

"Yes, I hate you. I really do." She took a deep breath and continued, "Honestly, wouldn't have dared to say it if you hadn't asked. After all you're Mr. Gilbert. With just one word from you, you could have me kicked out of Sunhaven!"

Four years away in Crestwood, a stranger in a strange land!

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Seeing Gilbert's face fall even further, she couldn't help but mock, "Surprised? Did you really expect me to be grateful to someone who made me leave my hometown and ignored my existence for four years?"

"I..." Gilbert was at a loss for words, unable to meet her gaze. "That was because..."

Sherilyn's laugh was cold, but not unkind. "I know, I'm the villain here, no need to say it. I've heard enough."

She looked down, her eyelashes fluttering. "But you did compensate me..."

And not a small amount either, more money than she could ever dream of making in her lifetime.

"For the sake of that money, let's agree to stay out of each other's way from now on."

With that, she turned, bent down, and got into the car.

As the car door closed, she told the driver, "Please, let's go."

"Right away."

As the car pulled away, leaving a gust of wind in its wake, Gilbert stood rooted to the spot, feeling a gaping emptiness inside him.

He never thought his actions four years ago would lead to this moment. For the first time, he felt a pang of regret.

"Ha, ha." Gilbert laughed bitterly at himself. "Gilbert, you've really done it now."

---

Two days later, Sherilyn and her

dance troupe were off to Ironforge. Their tour was kicking off, starting domestically before heading abroad, with their first stop in the

neighboring Ironforge.

The Lightning Dance Troupe was seasoned in tours, everything running smoothly as usual. However, they hadn't expected the sudden change in weather.

The temperature in Ironforge dropped dramatically from a warm day to just a few degrees by nightfall.