?Chapter 3012:
Something in her silence unsettled him. Ernest’s brows drew together, a faint crease forming.
Her hand lifted slowly, trembling as she reached toward his cheek. But before her fingers brushed his skin, she stopped.
“Can I… touch you?” she asked almost timidly.
“What?” The question caught Ernest off guard. He blinked in disbelief. Had he heard her correctly? Why would she even ask that?
“Am I not allowed to?” Elissa began to pull her hand back, assuming he was refusing her.
“You can!” Ernest’s response came fast, his head dipping in a quick nod. Although he didn’t understand what she meant, his voice softened with reassurance. “Of course, you can. Whatever you want.”
Yes—she could do anything. He wouldn’t stop her.
“Alright then.”
A faint smile curved Elissa’s lips before her fingertips brushed lightly against his cheek.
Her eyes widened, shimmering with an odd mix of wonder and disbelief. “It’s real! You’re really here! You didn’t vanish!”
Ernest’s expression tightened, a deep crease forming between his brows. Something felt off.
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This wasn’t how Elissa used to be.
What had happened to her?
“I…” Elissa’s tone was slow and uncertain as her gaze lingered on his face. “It feels like I know you… somehow.”
Ernest went utterly still, his breath catching in his chest.
“Elissa!” Savannah rushed forward, eyes wide in disbelief. “What did you just say?”
Turning toward Savannah, Elissa said gently, “I feel like I’ve seen him before… like I know him.”
“What?”
Savannah’s head shook in denial, confusion shing across her face. “That can’t be true.”
Her hand shot out, pointing at Ernest. “If that’s the case, then tell me—who is he?”
The question left Elissa speechless.
Her brows knitted together as she tried to think, but after a moment, she shook her head. “I don’t know… It’s just…”
Her words came slower now, as though she were searching for something in the fog. “He feels… familiar somehow.”
“Elissa…” Ernest’s voice came out low, barely controlled, though his face betrayed nothing. Inside, panic churned like a storm.
If he still couldn’t see it now, he’d have to be blind.
Something had happened to Elissa. Her memories were broken.
Could this be the aftermath of the drowning?
Was it simr to what had happened to Eric before? That the head trauma had left her losing all her memories?
It indeed appeared simr… though something about it felt different.
“Elissa.” Ernest’s throat tightened as he met her gaze. “Of course, I seem familiar. I’m your husband.”
Elissa’s eyes went wide, shock stealing her breath.
“Ernest!” Savannah’s voice burst through the air, furious and trembling. “Enough! How dare you say that!”
“He…” Elissa’s confusion deepened as she looked from one to the other. “You… both…”
“Easy now.” Savannah caught her daughter’s hand and stroked it gently, her voice low and careful. Then she turned her head sharply. “Someone,e here! Quickly!”
This time, her call was for the caretakers.
“Mrs. Brown!”
“Move quickly,” Savannah said, her tone sharp. “Take Elissa back to her room at once.”
“Right away, Mrs. Brown!”
“Security!” Savannah shouted, pointing straight at Ernest. “Remove him from the property.”
“On it!”
“Hold on!” Ernest shouted, his eyes locked on Savannah. “Mrs. Brown, please. Tell me what’s wrong with Elissa.”
His jaw set as he continued, voice steady with resolve. “You can have me thrown out today, but I’ll juste back. I have been searching for Elissa all this time without giving up. Now that I have found her, I simply will not walk away.”
He added with unshakable determination, “Eject me, and I wille back again and again.”
A harsh smile crossed Savannah’s face as she replied, “Who are you trying to frighten? Come as often as you like. I will order you removed every single time. Let’s see how long you keep returning.”
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