Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Francis' mood visibly darkened at the mention of the evening's events.

"Big brother." It was clear to Gilbert that Francis was seething with anger. "Caroline will stay here tonight. Let her cool down, and then you two can talk, okay?"

After a few moments of heavy silence, Francis turned his gaze to Caroline, who stubbornly faced away from him. "If you're hell-bent on staying, then stay. We can talk when you're ready to spill."

He then wheeled himself away.

Gilbert hurried after him to see him out.

"Big brother."

Outside, Sawyer was waiting.

Gilbert helped Francis into the car, hesitating as if wanting to say something more. "Big brother..."

Francis glanced at his brother, a hint of sarcasm in his tone. "What is it now?"

Gilbert bit his cheek, deciding to just ask, "Do you, by any chance, have someone else?"

Francis fell silent. A long moment passed without a word.

"Big brother?"

"I'm tired. Heading back now."

In the end, Francis never directly answered the question, simply instructing Sawyer, "Let's go."

"Yes, Mr. Francis."

As the car drove away, Gilbert stood frozen, a heavy feeling in his chest. Knowing his brother as well as he did, he feared this might actually be true.

What about Caroline?

...

Inside the living room, Sherilyn was yawning, arms crossed.

When Gilbert returned, she looked up. "So, should I leave now or right now?"

Stepping closer, Gilbert took her wrist gently. "Don't stir things up. Just go upstairs, okay?"

"Hmm," Sherilyn raised an eyebrow, playing coy. "Why am I stirring things up?"

Pointing at Caroline, "She wants to stay, right? It'd be awkward if I stayed too, wouldn't it?"

"Sherilyn." Gilbert's grip on her wrist tightened slightly. "Caroline will sleep in the downstairs guest room. Just go upstairs, alright?"

"The guest room?" Sherilyn's eyes widened in disbelief. "You're making her sleep in the guest room?"

What else?

Worried she might start rambling again, Gilbert gritted his teeth. "What did you think?"

"Alright," Sherilyn mumbled, frowning at him. "I'll go."

She knew the score. Francis' visit meant

tshe had to stay; otherwise et

Gilbert and Caroline alone would be hard to explain to Francis.

Ah, so her role as a shield was still quite useful.

Shrugging off Gilbert's hand, she turned and headed upstairs.

Caroline, who had been watching quietly, was taken aback. She had never seen Gilbert soothe someone like this before... The once

эл

hot headed 'little wolf' had his tender

moments, it seemed.

As Sherilyn disappeared at the top of the stairs, Gilbert let out a sigh of relief and then turned to Caroline.

She looked a mess, her hair and shoulders damp, her eyes red and swollen from crying.

"Caroline," Gilbert motioned towards the sofa. "Take a seat. I'll get the first aid kit." "Okay."

When Gilbert returned with the kit,

Caroline had already taken off heret

jacket and rolled up her sleeves, revealing the burn.

It was a nasty one, red and swollen with a string of small blisters.

Some of the blisters had broken during her undressing, oozing a mix of fluid and blood.

Gilbert frowned, reaching for the antiseptic swabs.

"This might sting a bit. Just bear with it."This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

"I know. Ah..."

Caroline winced in pain as Gilbert worked quickly. "Almost done, just hang in there."

After disinfecting the burn, he applied some burn ointment.

"Let's leave it at that for now. We'll see if the blisters dry up by morning."

"Okay."

Watching Gilbert pack up the first aid kit, Caroline suddenly felt a lump in her throat and began to choke up.

"Gilbert, are you going upstairs now? Can you stay... just a little longer, to talk with me?"