NovelEnglishAcross the street, Gilbert sat frozen in his car, his eyes wide with shock.
A young, beautiful woman was holding an adorable baby doll, both adorned with identical Minnie Mouse hair clips.
One for each of them! Gilbert's breath hitched, his grip on the steering wheel so tight his knuckles turned white, as if they would snap off at any moment! As the mother-daughter duo walked further away, Gilbert, without making a sound, got out of his car and started following them quietly.
Getting closer, he could hear their conversation.
"Let's head back home." "Mommy, the strawberry milkshake was so yummy! Sweet as candy." "Yes, darling, just like you, Jenna." Their voices were soft, filled with the intimate chatter of a mother and her daughter.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtBut to Gilbert, each word felt like a meteor crashing into his heart, leaving craters of pain and disbelief.
Unaware of the silent follower, the woman and her child entered an apartment complex and disappeared into the building.
Gilbert stopped in his tracks, hesitating at the entrance. His mind was a whirlwind of emotions, his heart felt like it was about to burst. Mommy... Jenna...
Reaching into his pocket, Gilbert pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep drag. His lips pressed tightly together as he exhaled a thick cloud of smoke through his nostrils. The burning nicotine blurred the complex emotions etched on his handsface.
That's why Sherilyn's nwasn't on the list of people who bought the Minnie Mouse hair clips! Because she was wearing the one he bought for Jenna! She was Jenna's mother! Gilbert then remembered how Sherilyn had once queued up at TeeMall in the middle of the night, just to buy a Minnie Mouse toy...
In the end, it was he who secured it for her.
And when he met Jenna at Crestwood Airport, she had that very sMinnie Mouse toy with her! Also, that twhen Sherilyn had to cback early from a dance troupe performance in Crestwood due to an accident...
And Jenna had returned to Crestwood around the stime.
The little one had even told him she could be with her mom now...
Huh.
Gilbert's lips curled into a bitter smile, silent.
All the signs had been there all along! Holding the cigarette, Gilbert picked up his phone and dialed Charles' number.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm"Mr. Gilbert." "Head to the hospital, check something for me..." "Alright, Mr. Gilbert." After hanging up, Gilbert remained silent, smoking one cigarette after another, extinguishing the last one in the ashtray atop the trash bin it was now full of butts, all from his recent smoking.
His mind was in turmoil; he needed the nicotine to calm down.
Then, he dialed Sherilyn's number again.
It connected! Thankfully, Sherilyn hadn't blocked him.
"Hello?" Just before the ringtone ended, Sherilyn picked up.
"It's me." Sherilyn's brow furrowed slightly as she held the phone, "I know. What is it?" Gilbert didn't reply to her question but said, I'm at Sunset Ridge Community, right below your apartment. Cdown, I need to talk to you." What? After a brief pause, Sherilyn replied, "Whatever you have to say, say over Thet the phone. There's nothing that can't be discussed this way."
Anticipating her response, Gilbert stayed cool, "So, should you cdown, or should go up? Is it okay if I cup?" Of course, it wouldn't be convenient!
Glancing at Jenna, Sherilyn reluctantly agreed, "Okay, givea moment cdown." "Alright, I'll wait." After hanging up, Gilbert leaned against his car, tempted to light another cigarette.
He opened the door to grab one, but then he thought of Sherilync. Sherilyn didn't like it when he smoked. X
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