Gilbert was clearly uneasy, though he tried to mask it with a calm exterior.
“Gilbert.”
Unable to hold back any longer, Yates spoke up, “Don’t worry too much. There’s no case Edwin Morris can’t handle.”
“Yeah.”
Gilbert nodded, throwing back his head to down his whiskey in one go before placing the glass on the table. “I’ve had too much, not feeling well. I’m heading out.” With that, he stood up and left without another word.
Yates and Derek exchanged bewildered glances. Too much to drink? He’d barely touched his first glass. The night had just begun.
“Gilbert’s still thinking about Sherilyn, isn’t he?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Leaving the Platinum Pearl Club, Gilbert didn’t go to the police station. Instead, he went to the Sunset Ridge Community.
Within the quiet house of Sunset Ridge, Sophia was trying her best to calm Jenna down.
“Mommy! Mommy!”
Jenna had been crying and was still wide awake. Though Sophia had explained that her mommy was at work, the little one couldn’t settle.
It was strange. Sherilyn had been away overnight before, and back then, Jenna was understanding and well-behaved. But tonight, nothing seemed to soothe her.
Sophia wondered if it was the mother-daughter connection. They say children have an intuition. Could Jenna sense that her mom was actually in trouble, not just working? “Jenna, don’t cry. Mommy will be back soon.”
“When will mommy be back?” Jenna sniffled, “Sophia, I want to wait for mommy to come back before I go to sleep…”
“Jenna…”
The doorbell rang unexpectedly.
“Who could it be?”
Sophia, with Jenna in her arms, hurried to answer the door, hoping it might be Sherilyn.
But she was surprised to see who stood there.
“Mr. Johnson?”
It had been some time since his last visit.
“Yes.”
Gilbert nodded, his eyes immediately finding Jenna, “Hey Jenna, can I give you a hug?” “Mr. Gilbert?”
Jenna’s tear-filled eyes, like washed grapes, looked up in disbelief. “Is it really Mr. Gilbert?!” Recognizing him, she leapt into Gilbert’s arms. “It’s Mr. Gilbert! Mr. Gilbert is here!”
“Yes, it’s me!”
Gilbert, holding his daughter close, felt a wave of guilt and emotion wash over him, his eyes stinging. “I’m here now.”
“Uh-huh…” Jenna nestled into his chest, weeping, “Mr. Gilbert, you haven’t been here for so long!” “I’m sorry.”
Hearing his daughter’s innocent voice made Gilbert’s heart ache, “It’s my fault.” It wasn’t that he didn’t want to visit.
He feared
comping too close would
that
e things for Sherilyn annet
visits would make it harder to leave them.
belongs to en.kiki andet
“Time for bed, Jenna.”
Carrying Jenna to her room, Gilbert kissed her forehead, “How about I read you a story?” “Yay!”
Father and daughter lay side by side, Jenna listening to the story, gradually drifting off to sleep. Gilbert closed the book and gently patted her.
“Mr. Gilbert…”
Jenna, her eyes barely open, suddenly asked, “Will mommy be back tomorrow?”
Hearing this, Gilbert felt a pang in his heart but softly reassured her,
Jenna. You’ll see mommy
tomorrow. Now sleep.” Conovelees
“Okay.”
Jenna closed her eyes, succumbing to sleep.
Watching her peaceful face, Gilbert quietly stood up, careful not to wake her, and left the room.
Sophia was waiting outside, “Mr. Johnson.”
“Yes.” Gilbert pointed towards the room,
me fake good care of、 me if you need anything all
before.”
“Will do.”
Sophia nodded, her heart heavy, “Mr. Johnson, Sherilyn will be alright, won’t she?”
“Of course.” Gilbert didn’t hesitate, “I have to go now, but I’ll come back tomorrow.” “Take care, Mr. Johnson.”
As he descended the stairs, his phone buzzed. It was Edwin Morris.
“What’s the situation?”
“We’ve hit a snag.”