Gilbert nervously stood up, his guilt written all over his face, “Sherilyn, it’s my fault, I should have listened to you.”
“Mommy! Jenna was wrong, I should’ve listened to mommy,” Jenna chimed in, mimicking the grown-ups.
“See?”
Gilbert swallowed hard, pointing towards the pie, trying to make amends. “Actually, I just gave her a couple of bites, didn’t dare to give her more.”
“Yep, yep!”
Both echoing each other, one after the other.
Sherilyn couldn’t help but laugh and cry at the same time, lifting Jenna up, “Time to eat properly now.”
“Okay!”
Sherilyn glanced at the pie, now missing a slice, worried Jenna might have trouble digesting it if she ate too much, “Eat only if you can, don’t force yourself if you’re full.” “I can eat!”
Jenna held up her little spoon, “Baby can eat now!”
Sherilyn couldn’t help but burst into laughter, patting her daughter’s head. “Jenna, you’re amazing.”
But truly, Jenna’s appetite seemed better lately, whether it was because she was growing or the new doctor had adjusted her treatment plan, Sherilyn couldn’t be sure. Worn out from the afternoon’s play, Jenna couldn’t keep her eyes open on the way back, dozing off in Sherilyn’s arms.
Sherilyn hugged her, staring out the window in silence.
“Sherilyn.”
Gilbert kept glancing at her, speaking softly to avoid waking Jenna, “Are you mad I showed up unexpectedly?” He had the nerve to ask?
Sherilyn met his gaze, her question straightforward, “Gilbert, you broke your promise. Did you forget so soon?”
“I didn’t forget.”
Gilbert’s voice was low and tender, his eyes downcast, “I just… missed Jenna too much. Don’t worry, I won’t claim her if you don’t agree. Can I just be a stranger to her?” “Does it matter if I agree?”
Sherilyn’s laugh was full of scorn, “You’ve already done it, now you’re asking if it’s okay?”
Gilbert fell silent, unable to refute, his brows furrowed.
When they stopped at the apartment, Sherilyn, carrying Jenna, found it hard to get out, so Gilbert opened the door for her.
Worried about Jenna getting cold, he wrapped her in a blanket from the car.
And concerned about Sherilyn’s
burden, he offered to take Jenet
“Let
me help. I’ll carry her to
door, then I’ll leave.”
“No, it’s alright,” Sherilyn brushed off, gently dodging his offer with a shake of her head. “I’ve got this, you should go.”
Gilbert’s expression darkened, a bitter taste in his mouth as he withdrew his hand, “…Alright.”
He didn’t leave right away, sitting in
the
Car for a while, guessing
d’ve reached her apartmen
shoul
, he sent her a text.
[Did you make it?]
Sherilyn replied promptly.
It was a photo – Jenna lying in bed, covered with her little blanket.
Gilbert smiled, his fingers gently tracing Jenna’s image on the screen.
His phone buzzed again, another message from Sherilyn.
[I hope you keep your word.]
She was referring to the promise about not claiming Jenna.
by
Gilbert smiled wider, agreeing to her terms for now… As per his plan, today was a successful first step!
…
On his way back to Golden Oak Manor, Gilbert called Charles.
“Find out what Caleb is up to, will you?”
“Right away, Mr. Gilbert.”
The Johnson Group owned et
Media Group, keeping them well-informed about the
vel
entertainment industry. Charles got the information quickly.
After his shower, Gilbert found the message waiting on his phone.
[Mr. Marshall is currently busy with a historical drama, Karol from Nexus Media Group is part of the crew…]
There was an attachment too – the crew’s schedule.
Gilbert smirked, always confident in Charles’ efficiency.
Holding his phone, he sent Charles a message.
[Tell the manager of Nexus Media Group to see me in my office first thing tomorrow.]
Two days later, Sherilyn received a message that the crew was organizing a script reading session.