Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

Caroline was puzzled. Why on earth would Francis buy a pencil?

Wait a minute, that brand...

It looked familiar to Caroline, seemingly a classic German label. She immediately grabbed her phone to look it up.

Scrolling through the product page, she found an identical one.

Professional grade drafting pencil.

Caroline frowned, her confusion deepening. Why would he buy such a pencil? He was a businessman, it surely wasn't for his own use. Could it be...?

Her instincts told her it must have something to do with James' mom.

First, the hidden pearl hair clip, then the secretive 'love nest', now this pencil...

Caroline had always felt that Francis was somehow connected to James' mom!

But she also knew that asking directly would get her nowhere. Without a word, she closed the pencil case and put it back in its place...

When the night turned pitch black outside, Francis woke up.

As he sat up, Caroline entered from the adjoining room, carrying a bowl of freshly warmed soup.

"You're awake."

Caroline smiled at him, "You must be exhausted. I'll stay tonight, you go and get some rest. You're still recovering, I'll take the night shift, and you can take the day." "Alright."

Francis nodded, not objecting.

He added, "If anything happens at night, just let the nurse handle it. Call me immediately if anything's up with Gilbert."

"Don't worry," Caroline gave him a playful glare, "Do you really need to tell me that?"

"My apologies for stating the obvious."

Francis stood up, slipping on his jacket that was draped over the couch, and stretched out his arm to take the pencil with him. Caroline curled her lips into a smile, pretending not to notice.

...

In the dead of night, Caroline sat by the hospital bed, a book in hand, gazing at Gilbert lying there, tracing his features with her eyes. It was fascinating.

How two people could look so much alike...

"Gilbert."

Caroline opened the book resting on her lap and whispered, "The doctor said we should talk to you more. I've been talking to you so much why won't you wake up?"

"Worried you'll find me annoying, how about I read to you instead? 'The Count of Monte Cristo,' your favorite..."

She lowered her gaze and began to read softly.

"The Count turned around, Haydée's complexion was pale, her gaze stern, standing motionless..."

"Gilbert, please wake up soon. Promise me, you'll wake up by tomorrow morning, okay?"

As the sky began to brighten, Francis pushed open the door of the hospital room and walked in slowly.

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Caroline's features twitched, and she opened her eyes, "Francis, you're here. So early?" "Mhm." Francis nodded, "Couldn't sleep."

It had been 24 hours, and his brother hadn't woken up yet.

Only two-thirds of the 72 hours the doctor mentioned were left...

Caroline's eyes began to water, "Let's wait for the doctor's rounds before we lose hope." "Mhm."

Francis nodded, besides waiting, what else could he do for his brother?

These days, Sherilyn was resting at home, preparing ingredients for lunch when Francis called.

Picking up the phone and seeing 'Big Brother' flashing on the screen made her heart skip a beat. Could it be...?

She dared not speculate, swiping to answer. "Big Brother."

"Sherilyn."

Francis sat beside the hospital bed, calling her, "Big Brother's calling, to tell you, Gilbert hasn't woken up yet."