?Chapter 3041:


    Elissa’s fingers quivered as she lifted her head sharply, emotion flickering like fire in her eyes. “Mom…” she whispered, voice trembling—then stopped, her teeth sinking into her lip as words failed her.


    Savannah’s brows drew together. “What is it you’re trying to say? Are you trying to deny it? There’s no use—I already know the truth.”


    “You… you know?” The color fled from Elissa’s cheeks.


    Savannah nodded solemnly. “Yes. Last night, on the terrace, I saw you both. I saw everything.”


    A flicker of dread crossed her eyes. “Answer me, Elissa—was that the first time, or have you met before?”


    Elissa gaped helplessly, words lost in her throat.


    “If you don’t want to speak, fine—keep quiet!” Savannah’s voice cut through the air. “But if you do, let it be the truth!”


    Elissa faltered beneath that fierce gaze, wavering before she gave a small, defeated nod.


    “Yes…” she murmured atst. “We’ve met before.”


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    Savannah’s eyes fluttered shut, weariness and frustration twisting through her chest.


    It was exactly what she had feared.


    Had it been a single mistake, Elissa would never have yielded sopletely.


    “How long has this been going on?” Savannah demanded, forcing her voice calm. “Don’t hide anything from me.”


    “Alright…”


    Elissa breathed, eyes glistening. She had never seen her mother so unyielding; shame burned within her. Understanding she could no longer lie, she poured everything out, word by word.


    “So many times?”


    Savannah had thought she’d protected her daughter well. Yet she’d seen nothing.


    That Ernest—too clever by half.


    “Mom.” A wave of fierce anxiety crashed through Elissa’s chest, but she drew in a shaky breath and forced herself to speak. “He said he’s my husband, Mom!”


    “And you believed that?” Savannah snapped, her voice trembling with anger. “Haven’t I told you he was only lying to you?”


    “But… he showed me photos,” Elissa whispered, faltering. “Proof that we’re together.”


    She fumbled for her phone, her fingers trembling as she opened the gallery. “See for yourself.”


    They were all from Ernest. She had guarded them as precious memories.


    Photos?


    Savannah blinked, startled—she hadn’t thought of that.


    “Mom, look—he’s with me in these pictures,” Elissa insisted softly.


    Savannah studied them, her silence stretching, her expression unreadable.


    “Elissa,” she said gravely, “you’re too trusting. Seeing isn’t always believing! Photos can be forged—he could have dozens made, each one looking perfectly real.”


    “You mean… they’re fake?” Elissa breathed, her voice faint.


    “If you doubt me, we can investigate,” Savannah said firmly. “Your dad can trace his records. If he’s ever been married, we’ll know.”


    Thank heavens, Savannah mused, they hadn’t made anything official. Otherwise, there would have been no way to justify it.


    “Then…” Elissa whispered, her mind swirling in chaos. Could everything he’d said have been a lie? He had truly been different with her…


    “Mom… then is he…”


    “No,” Savannah interrupted, her tone final. “I said no! Elissa, stop imagining things.”


    “He’s not?” Elissa whispered, her lips trembling.


    “Absolutely not.” Savannah repeated herself, each word resolute.


    “Elissa, can’t you see? He’s a yer! While he’s whispering to you, he’s keeping Emma on the side!”


    “They’re not!” Elissa insisted.


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