?Chapter 3032:


    Throughout the night, Ernest’s eyes stayed fixed on Elissa.


    He couldn’t shake the fear that once he blinked or turned away, Robin would somehow appear beside her. Even though he knew it was foolish to think Robin would be invited to such a gathering, his mind refused to rest. Robin might not be here tonight, but what if he showed up once the Browns were back home?


    Savannah’s refusal made sense to Ernest. But Robin? How could she ever let him back into Elissa’s life?


    Ernest couldn’t understand what that violent cheater possessed that he did not.


    When dinner ended, Ernest went back to his room andy in bed, twisting beneath the covers as sleep refused toe. Restlessness got the better of him, so he rose, slid open the ss door leading to the terrace, and stepped out into the cool night air.


    From the edge of his vision, movement caught his attention—someone was on the neighboring terrace.


    The guest rooms along that side shared open terraces, making it easy to cross from one to another. Turning his head, Ernest looked more closely.


    There, on the adjacent terrace, sat Elissa. She was curled up on a wicker sofa, her arms wrapped around her legs, her cheek resting lightly on her knees as she gazed at the sky in quiet thought.


    What luck—she was staying right beside him.


    He couldn’t waste such a moment handed to him by chance.


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    Moving carefully, he began to approach her. He tried not to make a sound, his steps measured and gentle, until he finally stood before her. Lowering himself slowly, he crouched and looked up at her. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, he said, “Elissa.”


    A sudden voice startled Elissa, and when she nced down, she found him there. Her first instinct was to get up.


    “Don’t move!”


    Ernest had already guessed she would react that way. He reached out and held her shoulders to keep her from bolting.


    Caught off guard, Elissa froze. Her voice trembled as she shouted, “Let go of me!” Tears began to gather in her eyes, glinting under the faint terrace light.


    “I’m not going to hurt you.” Ernest’s tone softened, the edge in his voice fading. “Just give me a minute, please. Listen to what I have to say,” he said, trying to calm her.


    Hesitating, Elissa noticed that he wasn’t being rough or forceful. Even so, she turned her face away and refused to give in.


    That single gesture pierced Ernest.


    He hadn’t thought she would recoil from him like this.


    Bitterness slipped into his voice as irritation built within him. “Is that how much you despise me? Is it because of Robin? Do you care for him that deeply?”


    The longer he dwelt on it, the heavier his chest felt, anger mingling with unease until both consumed him.


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