?Chapter 289:


    Eventually, Linda emerged from Ernest’s room, her eyes visibly swollen from crying. Her voice,den with concern, broke the silence. “What have the doctors said? Will Ernest be alright?”


    N responded gently, gripping Linda’s hand in aforting gesture. “The doctors urge patience, my dear. We should consider it a miracle that he’s even conscious. His recovery will require time.”


    Linda’s acknowledgment was heavy with emotion. Tears filled her eyes as shemitted aloud, saying, “No matter how long it takes, I’ll be by his side.”


    She then faced Eric, her resolve firm. “I need to reduce my workload to devote more time to caring for Ernest.”


    Before Eric had a chance to reply, N was already nodding in agreement. Her heart warmed. “That’s very considerate of you. Don’t worry, Eric will take care of everything.”


    She gave Linda’s hand a gentle pat, offering reassurance. “Ernest will pull through. You’ve endured so much these past few years, but finally, the hard times are behind you, aren’t they?”


    Tears still glistened in Linda’s eyes, but her smile held warmth. “Yes, Grandma.”


    That evening, Eric spent the night at the family mansion. A warm ss of milk in hand, he made his way to N’s room.


    “Thank you, dear,” she said as he handed it to her.


    “You’re wee.”


    The mood between them was unusually light that day.


    As N took a slow sip of her milk, a thought suddenly surfaced. “Oh, by the way, have you told Hadley that Ernest is awake?” Eric gave a slight shake of his head. “Not yet.”


    “You—”


    A sharp re cut through the air before N abruptly set her ss down and reached for her phone. “If you won’t tell her, I will. Ernest adored Hadley. And when he fell into thata, she cared for him without rest. She has every right to know.”


    “Grandma,” Eric said with an amused chuckle, gently stopping her. “It’s not that I don’t want to tell her. It’s just… Hadley isn’t in Srixby right now.”


    gα?ησν????s offers tales worth telling


    N’s brows lifted in surprise. “She’s not in Srixby? Then where is she? And how do you even know? Wait—don’t tell me… you’re still hanging onto her?”


    Eric let out a small cough, straightening his posture. “Hanging on? Grandma, this is called pursuing—a proper, legitimate pursuit, okay?”


    Right outside, Linda happened to be passing by. The door was slightly open, and Eric’s words carried clearly through the gap. Her steps halted. Holding her breath, she leaned in slightly, listening intently…


    Inside the room—


    N shot Eric a tired look, shaking her head. “You’re just making trouble for yourself! When I was setting things up for you and Hadley back then, you wanted nothing to do with her! But now that she’s moved on, you’re the one chasing after her?”


    A sigh slipped past her lips as a thought struck her. “Is this really about love, or do you just crave what you can’t have? Do you enjoy the thrill of the chase?”


    “Grandma!” Eric nearly choked, his frustration bubbling over. “Why are you talking like the gossiping outsiders? How many times do I have to say it before you finally believe me? Linda is my brother’s wife! Now that he’s awake, you really need to stop saying such things!”


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