Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

“Okay…” Gilbert agreed.

When the topic of a birthday bash came up, Gilbert nodded, but then his expression changed slightly, a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes.

“Grandma, what did you just say? What… suitable match?”

Sylvia shot him a look, her tone laced with irritation, “Don’t you know what ‘finding a suitable match‘ means?”

Of course, he knew!

And because he knew, Gilbert felt a bit agitated. “Grandma, please, not this again.”

What was she thinking? Throwing a birthday party for Sherilyn, inviting all the eligible bachelors from Sunhaven to choose from?

“Grandma.” Gilbert rubbed his forehead, saying, “Everyone in Sunhaven knows about us, about me and Sherilyn.”

“And whose fault is that?”

scoffed, “If you’d just commit to her properly, I wouldn’t have to worry about this, would I?”

“But, Grandma…”

“Enough,” Sylvia cut him off, her mind made up, “I’m handling this. Otherwise, she might end up finding someone old enough to be her father again, right? We can’t let that happen a second time! Gilbert…”

She looked at her grandson with a sigh, “You let her go, you wronged her, and I wronged her too. If I don’t see her settled down happily, I’ll never rest easy, even in death.”

“Grandma…” Gilbert was at a loss for words, resigned to his grandmother’s will, “Alright, we’ll do it your way.”

“Okay.” Sylvia was satisfied, reminding him, “Caroline isn’t here to help, so it’s all on you. Make sure to invite all the decent young men from Sunhaven to the party.”

“…Okay.” Gilbert nodded, the word almost choked out.

“And one more thing,” Sylvia added, “Let’s keep this from Sherilyn for now. We’ll tell her once we find a suitable match.”

Finding the right match for her wouldn’t be easy, given her situation. Within the circles of Sunhaven’s elite, there would be reservations. If they couldn’t find someone immediately, Sherilyn might get upset.

But to lower the standards and settle for someone with an average family background?

Sylvia wouldn’t hear of it. Her precious girl was worthy of becoming a Johnson, even as a second marriage, it had to be someone of status!

Leaving the study, Gilbert headed back to his room.

After all this turmoil, he didn’t feel like going back to Golden Oak Manor and decided to stay the night here. As he passed by Sherilyn’s bedroom, he paused.

Sherilyn had been part of the Johnson family since she was fifteen, and even after marrying him and spending years abroad, her room was kept just as it was by Sylvia’s orders.

The door was closed now.

Gilbert’s wondering what she might be doing at this moment.

ity was ni

Suddenly, the door opened.

Their eyes met, and Gilbert, feeling a bit awkward, looked away.

“Gilbert Johnson.” Sherilyn’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

Gilbert Johnson? He frowned, surprised by her formality, “What did you call me?” From NôvelDrama.Org.

“What?” Sherilyn paused, repeating, “Gilbert Johnson.”

He noticed the formality in her tone. It was unlike her. Before, she used to call him Gil…

But now, it was just Gilbert Johnson. His full name, while not incorrect, felt distant, used mainly in formal or strained situations.

“What’s wrong?” Sherilyn couldn’t pinpoint the issue, only sensing that he was upset again.

What was wrong?

Gilbert couldn’t quite explain it himself; it was just that in his memory, she used to address him differently. The unexpected formality highlighted a distance he wasn’t prepared to bridge.