?Chapter 285:


    Her early memories of him were straightforward—he constantly shadowed Ernest, adhering to his every directive. If Ernest said east, Eric wouldn’t think of going west. If Ernest wished for the stars, Eric would strive to fetch him the moon as well. N had always seemed pleased with the strong bond between her grandsons.


    But was there actually something off with that?


    Hadley remained puzzled.


    Then something else hit her—Eric’sment earlier about mantises. Was that a riddle? What could he possibly mean?


    Without missing a beat, she grabbed her phone and typed in the keyword—mantis.


    Hadley browsed through the information but didn’t see anything specific rting to what she was looking for.


    After a pause, she keyed in the words “praying mantis,” “bite,” and “partner.” Then she saw her answer.


    “Female praying mantises are known for their cannibalistic mating behavior, where they bite off the head or legs of their partners after mating.”


    Speechless, Hadley put her phone away.


    Several dayster, within the opulent walls of the Flynn Mansion, while N mended from her recent operation, Eric had taken up residence at the family mansion to keep herpany.


    In the stillness of the witching hour, Eric slumbered deeply, only to be roused by the shrill chime of his phone. A flicker of annoyance crossed his mind, but it vanished like mist when he glimpsed the caller ID.


    It was the physician overseeing Ernest’s care that was calling.


    Sleepiness fled in an instant.


    “Yes, hello?”


    “Mr. Flynn! Your brother has stirred from his long slumber!”


    g?a?l?n?o?v?e?l?s?.?c?o?m? = ?????


    Eric went rigid, a shiver racing through him, raising every hair in its wake. It felt like a dream woven from threads of disbelief. “Repeat that, please!”


    “Your elder brother is awake! His eyes have fluttered open!” Astonishing—beyond belief!


    A tidal wave of emotion crashed over Eric, shattering his usualposure. Before he could rein it in, a warm blur clouded his vision, spilling over as tears of unrestrained joy.


    After all these years… Ernest had returned to them!


    No longer would his brothernguish on that sterile hospital bed, ensnared by a web of tubes and the hum of machines, trapped in an endless twilight.


    “Mr. Flynn?” The doctor’s voice echoed from the other end. “When might you grace us with your presence?”


    Eric’s senses snapped into focus, his voice raw and quivering with barely contained tion.


    “This very instant! I’m on my way!”


    His brother had awakened—how could he dy even a heartbeat?


    “Very well! We’ll be expecting you.”


    Tossing the phone aside, Eric dashed to dress, but as he crossed into his sprawling wardrobe, he pivoted sharply on his heel.


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