?Chapter 1112:


    “I know.” She grinned. “Let’s eat before it gets cold—again.”


    Elissa’s surgery took ce as scheduled.


    Outside the operating room, Hadley and Ernest sat waiting.


    The silence stretched. Then Hadley turned to him. “I’m not interfering, but… There’s something I need to say.”


    Ernest looked at her calmly. “Go on.”


    “You need to tell Elissa the truth. Sooner rather thanter. You can’t hide it forever. Wouldn’t it be better if she heard it from you instead of someone else?”


    The longer he waited, the more uncertain everything became.


    The operation proceeded withoutplications, though the oue wouldn’t be clear for another week.


    In the hospital room, Elissa rested, her eyes wrapped in bandages. Upon waking, her hands fumbled through the air, searching for something beyond her reach.


    “Hadley?” she called weakly.


    Ernest rose and gently sped her hand. “What do you need?”


    “Dn?” Elissa’s voice carried surprise as she recognized him. “What brings you here?”


    “I heard about your surgery,” Ernest said. “Knowing it was today, I wanted to see how you were doing.”


    He paused, then asked, “Do you need anything? Maybe some water?”


    He added, “The caregiver stepped out to grab food, and your friend went home for a bit. They’ll be back soon to stay with you.” In short, he was her only help for now.


    “Thank you,” Elissa murmured, nodding. Her throat was parched—amon side effect of anesthesia.


    “Alright.” Ernest gave a small smile, poured water, checked its warmth, and guided the cup to her lips. “Here, drink.” Elissa, sightless and nervous, spilled a little.


    “Easy,” Ernest said, wiping the droplets from her chin with his fingers. His calloused fingertips grazed her soft skin, and Elissa flinched, pulling back.


    “That’s enough, thanks.”


    Ernest noticed her cheeks redden slightly and nodded. “You’re wee.”


    Hadley’s words lingered in his mind. With Elissa’s surgery done, he needed to find the right time toe clean with her.


    “Elissa,” he began, reaching toward her.


    Just then, the door swung open, and the caregiver bustled in with a meal tray.


    Seeing Ernest and Elissa together, she apologized. “Oh, Miss Hond’s awake! I thought she was resting and didn’t want to bother her, so I didn’t knock.”


    “It’s alright,” Ernest said, pulling his hand back and turning to Elissa. “The food is here. Are you hungry? Want to eat something?”


    “Yes, please,” Elissa said eagerly.


    The tension in the room felt heavy, and the food’s arrival was a wee break. “I’m starving. Laney, can you help?”


    “Of course,” the caregiver replied.


    Behind them, Ernest shook his head with a wry smile.


    Since his confession, Elissa had deliberately kept her distance. It was clear that, beyond revealing his true identity, he needed to intervene and speed up her divorce from Robin.


    That evening, Hadley arrived.


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