?Chapter 2255:


    Then she sighed, eyes soft. “Moms just know. Having a mom like that… it’s a real gift.”


    “Couldn’t agree more.” Elissa nodded as she finished thest bite.


    She turned to Hadley. “I haven’t asked—how did you know I was here? Did Ernest tell you?”


    Hadley hesitated for a second, but then nodded. “He did… but I also wanted toe.”


    “That’s fine,” Elissa said gently. “I know. I’m not upset. I know you’re on my side.”


    “Thank you.” Hadley let out a quiet breath and smiled.


    She nced around the room, and then asked, “What are you two nning now? Can’t stay in a hotel forever, can you?”


    If they nned to stay in Srixby, they needed to find themselves a permanent ce.


    “Do you need help finding a ce to stay?” Hadley asked.


    “Thanks, but no.” Elissa shook her head. “My mom wants to take me back to Ontmond.”


    “What?” Hadley stared at her, stunned. “You’re leaving Srixby?”


    Elissa gave a small nod, her eyes reddening. “Yeah… I was from Ontmond to begin with.”


    She lowered her gaze. “After my parents split, I moved there with Mom. But marrying Robin brought me back here.”


    She paused, her voice barely above a whisper. “Looking back, Srixby just feels like the ce where everything fell apart.”


    Her parents had divorced here. Becker had shut her out. Then came the five years of her marriage—cold, suffocating.


    And now this. Ernest. And all the hope that came with him… unraveling again.


    “Well…” Elissa let out a bitterugh and shook her head. “Maybe I just don’t belong in this city.”


    ?????????? ???????????????? ???????? ???????? ????: g???????ν?????????????


    Hadley reached out and gently took her hand. “So… you’ve made up your mind? You’re really leaving?”


    Elissa’s expression twisted, torn between two impossible choices. “I honestly don’t know.”


    She didn’t hide her struggle. “I can’t seem to make up my mind.” The reason was simple.


    Addy—the only person who had ever truly cared for her in Srixby—was gone. But Locke was still here.


    Elissa exhaled shakily, her eyes filling with tears. “I don’t want to leave Locke. He’s my son…” Her voice broke as she fought back a sob. “If I go, I might never see him again. Not ever.”


    What kind of mother could walk away from the child she carried for nine months, the child she held in her arms? Even after just two days apart, her heart ached from missing him.


    “I wonder if Locke’s okay right now. He must be looking for me… probably asking where I’ve gone.” She pressed a hand to her belly, her voice trembling. “He talks to the baby sometimes—says he wants to meet them soon. He’s been waiting for them.”


    .


    .


    .