Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

"I've changed over the last four years, but you know what they say, 'You can take the girl out of the small town but not the small town out of the girl.' Deep down, I'm still the same."

Sherilyn leaned back in her seat, her smile faint, "You used to despise me so much, I doubt you've grown to like me all that much now."

Their recent interactions had proved as much.

He had feelings for her, sure, but not enough to make her forget the past, let alone to build a future on.

Gilbert felt a turmoil inside, but managed a sardonic smile, "You think you know my feelings better than I do?"

"Hmm." Sherilyn raised an eyebrow. "Ever heard of 'love is blind"?"

She looked straight into his handsome face, serious now.

"I'm simply your backup plan, nothing more. Four years ago, I was naive and it cost me dearly. What would make you believe I'd make the same mistake again? Merely because you find my company slightly less insufferable now?" Hearing this, his eyes darkened.

Sherilyn took a deep breath, "I do appreciate you stepping up for Jenna, taking responsibility. You're not entirely without redeeming qualities."

"But, we don't have to force ourselves to be together for Jenna's sake. Loving her separately is enough."

With that, she closed her eyes, leaning back, clearly done with the conversation.

"Sherilyn..."

Faced with her resistance, Gilbert halted, biting back his words, and drove on in silence, the corners of his mouth turning down in a bitter smile.

They pulled up in front of her apartment building.

"Thanks." Sherilyn turned to open the door, only to find it locked, "Gilbert, could you unlock the door?"

Gilbert didn't move, instead, he took out a piece of gum from the glove compartment, popping it into his mouth, and then casually offered one to Sherilyn, "Want one?"

"?" Sherilyn frowned, puzzled, "I want to get out of the car!"

Seeing Gilbert remain motionless, she leaned over in a hurry to try and unlock it.

Seizing the moment, Gilbert wrapped his arms around her, causing Sherilyn to look up in shock.

"Sherilyn."

He whispered her name, his eyes deep, "After all this time together, do you really feel nothing for me? You used to like me."

Sherilyn frowned, trying to wriggle free, but despite his seemingly gentle hold, she couldn't escape.

She spoke in a flustered tone, "Like you? After you left me alone for four years

it wasn't for Jenna, would I

be with someone who abandoned

me?"

Struck as if a physical blow, Gilbert froze, his face expressionless. Sherilyn took the opportunity to push him away and turned to exit the car. "Sherilyn!" Suddenly, he leaned in, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

In a low, plaintive voice, he said, "What should I do? I didn't like you before treated you poorly! Butl can't o back in time. Tell me should I do?"

He never could have anticipated this moment.

what

Sherilyn's back stiffened, her gaze fixed outside the car window, her voice cold, "Then we should look forward."

Closing her eyes, her mind flashed back to the moment four years ago when she boarded a plane to Crestwood alone... "You and I are history. What we had ended four years ago."

Leaving Sunset Ridge Community, it

ゼ

was still early. Gilbert didn't feel like

going back to the empty Golden Oak

ΛΟ

Manor, so he headed to the Platinum Pearl Club.

Unexpectedly, he only found Derek Brooks there, Yates Elliott was missing. "What's keeping old man Elliott?" Gilbert asked casually.

Derek shook his head, "Not sure, said something about family issues." "Oh?" Gilbert paused, a bit surprised, "Anything serious? Does he need help?"