Watching Francis clutch Rebecca White in a tight embrace, her mind was swirling with questions.
How did the two of them… end up like this? When did it start? What sparked it? And how far had it gone?
Gilbert, on the other hand, was frowning deeply, his eyes shadowed with concern as he glanced at Caroline now and then.
Caroline, however, was just watching with a cold, mocking smile, as if enjoying a drama that had nothing to do with her…
As they walked past, Francis gave them a brief look and muttered, “We’ll talk later.”
Right now, he had to take care of Rebecca White. He had neither the time nor the inclination to explain himself.
…
Back at the villa.
The nurse was helping Rebecca White with a bath in the bathroom, while the doctor had arrived to tend to her injuries.
In the living room, Gilbert and Caroline sat opposite each other in silence.
In the room, Francis was talking to Sherilyn.
“Sherilyn,” Francis started, after a moment of silence, carefully choosing his words, “I’d like you to keep my situation with Rebecca White a secret for now.”
“Why?”
Sherilyn frowned, puzzled. “What are your intentions with Rebecca White? Big bro, she’s had a rough marriage already. She’s been through enough! Don’t you dare mistreat her!”
A twitch appeared between Francis’s eyebrows. “Mistreat Rebecca White? Do you think I’m toying with her?”
“What else should I think?” Sherilyn pointed towards the door, lowering her voice.
“Even before I joined the Johnson family, it was no secret in Sunhaven that you and Caroline were an item!”
Francis’s devotion to Caroline was the envy of every woman in Sunhaven, from age seven to seventy!
“Big bro, you can’t…”
“That’s in the past.”
Francis shook his head gently, cutting her off with a cool, sharp glance. “Caroline and I have broken up.”
“??!” Sherilyn was stunned, speechless.
Broken up? Francis and Caroline had actually split?
Even hearing it from Francis himself, she couldn’t quite grasp it!
In Sherilyn’s mind, they were the couple least likely to break up. Yet, they had?
“Yes.”
Seeing her skepticism, Francis nodded, repeating, “We’ve broken up.”
He wasn’t one for many words, especially about his personal affairs.
The only reason he shared so much with Sherilyn was because of
Rebecca White… Sherilyn was
Rebecca’s few friends.
But that was all he would say. Francis didn’t elaborate further.
of
“Just know that I’m serious about Rebecca White. I’m not playing around with her. You can rest assured.”
In the bathroom, the sound of water stopped.
Francis glanced towards the door. “Sherilyn, you should go now. The doctor needs to treat Rebecca’s wounds.”
Sherilyn opened her mouth to say something, then nodded.
“Okay.”
She stood and walked out, still dazed.
In the living room.
Gilbert, watching Caroline’s silent
form,
s drumming his
something. Content benet
wondering whether he
Suddenly, Caroline stood up with a smile, looking at Gilbert. “I’m a
thirsty. I’ll get something tobiet
you want anything?”
Do
“I’ll get it,” Gilbert offered, standing up.
“No need.”
Caroline had already entered the dining room, opening the fridge to grab a bottle of soda.
“Got iced tea, is that okay?”
“Yeah,” Gilbert replied noncommittally.
“Alright.”
Caroline tried to twist the cap open but struggled. “Why won’t this open?”
“Let me…” Gilbert reached out to help.
“No!” Caroline suddenly snapped, “I’ve got it!”
She applied more force, but the cap remained closed, and her fingernail cracked.
“Caroline?” Gilbert was taken aback, taking the bottle from her hand.
“Gilbert!” Caroline suddenly grabbed his hand tightly, “It hurts so much… I’m in so much pain…”