Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

CHAPTER 180

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Jenna was on the brink of a significant surgery. For a three–year–old, it was a daunting prospect.

Sherilyn had long decided to gift Jenna something special, something

expensive. To afford this gift, she had been scrimping and saving for months, opting for simple meals of toast and water, even skipping on her favorite

sauce.

She was young and healthy and could handle a bit of hardship. But her Jenna, her poor little girl…

“Mommy?” Ever so innocent, Jenna perked up at Sherilyn’s words, a cautious excitement in her voice. “Really?”

“Of course, my love.” Sherilyn’s heart throbbed with bitter pain as she forced a smile. “Tell Mommy, what is it you’d like?”

“Mommy,” Jenna said in her sweet, childlike voice, “I want a Minnie Mouse doll.”

It was as expected. The Minnie Mouse doll Jenna wanted was a limited edition toy model. Jenna had fallen in love with it back in Crestwood. But it was too expensive, beyond Sherilyn’s reach.

Yet, Sherilyn had never let that wish slip away. Even after moving to Sunhaven, she kept an eye out for it online, but to no avail. The links always turned up dead. Then, she heard that a store in Sunhaven hád it for sale offline. She was. determined to buy it to bring it back to Jenna inContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

Crestwood. Especially with Jenna’s surgery looming, Sherilyn planned to return to Crestwood to be with her. Thankfully, her gigs at the Neon Nights Bar had been lucrative enough to cover the flight.

The thought of Jenna facing surgery without her was unbearable.

Days later, after a long day of rehearsals with Daphne and an evening shoot at the theater, Sherilyn returned to Serenity Street late into the night. Despite the hour, she had an important task ahead.

Just before eleven, she set out for TeeMall. TeeMall, Sunhaven’s largest

shopping center, was closing for the night as Sherilyn arrived. She wasn’t there to shop but to queue.

The limited edition Minnie Mouse doll Jenna desired was going on sale the following morning with pre–orders. First come, first served. So, there she was, ready to spend the night in line, ensuring she could secure Jenna’s dream gift.

Upon arrival, Sherilyn was relieved to find only six others ahead of her. With a limited stock of twenty, her chances were good. Prepared, she unfolded her portable chair, settling in with snacks, water, and a blanket to wait out the night.

As the night grew colder, Sherilyn wrapped herself tightly in her blanket.

Suddenly, a familiar voice called out to her, “Sherilyn?”

Surprised, she looked up, her heart sinking. It was that man. Sunhaven was a small town. She’d cut him off since their last encounter when he’d refused to lend her money. Without a word, Sherilyn looked away, ignoring him.

“Sherilyn.” His brows furrowed in concern as he scanned her. “What are you doing here? It’s late. Why aren’t you at home?”

Realizing her financial struggles, he reached for his wallet, saying, “Look, I always carry my card with me…”

Sherilyn felt a mix of irritation and desperation, sitting there in the cold, all for the love of her daughter.