Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

“Alright.”

Gilbert gently supported her waist with one hand while pulling up the zipper with the other.

His gaze unintentionally followed the seam of the zipper upwards.

Where his eyes landed, there was flawless, snow–white skin….

Such a beautiful back, unlike his own…

Gilbert suddenly closed his eyes, flashes of bloodstained images crossing his mind, a

sharp pain throbbing in his head, accompanied by the deafening sound of gunfire….

His own back seemed to ache faintly….

“Are you done?”

Sherilyn was getting anxious. Why was it taking so long?

“Yeah, done.”

Gilbert snapped back to reality, quickly pulling up the last bit of the zipper, perfectly framing her beautiful shoulder blades.

His throat felt scratchy and dry, almost like it was on fire!

He couldn’t keep looking.

As Sherilyn turned around, Gilbert averted his gaze, regaining his usual cool demeanor. But Sherilyn still felt a bit uneasy, fiddling with her hair.

The two of them standing there, it was just too awkward.

Trying to break the silence with a laugh, Sherilyn said, “So… does it look good?”

Gilbert paused for a moment, narrowing his eyes slightly.

And Sherilyn almost immediately regretted her words. Had she lost her mind? Even if she had nothing to say, she shouldn’t have asked that kind of question!

Somebody save her, please?

“Sherilyn? Are you ready yet?”

From outside, Sylvia’s voice came through, a godsend!

“Sylvia!” Sherilyn quickly responded, picking up her skirt to head outside, “I’m ready!”

Suddenly, a deep voice came from behind her, not too loud, “Beautiful… very beautiful.”

He was answering her earlier question.

Sherilyn paused, not turning around, and hurried out.

Gilbert stood there, his throat bobbing as he muttered to himself, “Very beautiful.”

Outside.

“Eh?”

As soon as Sylvia saw Sherilyn, she exclaimed, “What’s the matter? Why is your face so red?”

Sherilyn was startled. Was she actually blushing?

Nervously licking her lips, she said, “It’s nothing… I just couldn’t get the zipper up, and I was getting anxious.”

“Oh, is that all?”

Sylvia chuckled, “Is it zipped up now? Do you need any help?”

“No, thanks! It’s up!”

“Great, Cara asked us to taste test the food. Shall we go together?”

“Yes, yes!” Sherilyn was more than eager, nodding repeatedly.

If Sylvia found out she was alone with Gilbert in the dressing room she wouldn’t be able to explain herself.

“Sylvia, let’s hurry!”

After they left, Gilbert emerged from the dressing room, frowning as he rubbed his forehead – why did she run?

Was she that afraid of being found out by Sylvia, that they were together?

Night fell.

This evening’s birthday party at the Johnson Mansion was much more lively than the welcoming banquet held a few days ago at the Southern District Sanatorium.

The Johnson Mansion’s spacious venue could accommodate many more guests.

At a glance, almost all of Sunhaven’s elite had arrived, many bringing their entire families. This text is property of Nô/velD/rama.Org.

Unlike the somewhat secretive welcoming banquet, this birthday party was openly.

celebrated.

The invitations made it clear: it was a birthday party for the Johnson family’s adopted daughter, Sherilyn.

At this moment, Sherilyn was in her room. Her makeup was done, and it was time to go

out.

Facing the mirror, she took a deep breath, pursed her lips, and smiled. Sherilyn stood up, picking up her skirt.

Sylvia and Gilbert had already been greeting guests for a while. As she approached the staircase, she could feel the lively atmosphere.

Descending the stairs, Sherilyn looked around for Sylvia, planning to join her.

“Hey, hello!”

Just as she took a step forward, a young man stood in front of her, smiling and waving.