?Chapter 3051:


    What woman?


    Ernest blinked, uncertain what Hadley meant. “I’m alone at the hotel right now,” he said.


    Hadley chuckled softly. “No, Ernest, that’s not what I meant. I’m asking if there’s another woman around you in Ontmond.”


    Was that what she was implying?


    ??????d ??? ??n?? d??v???e ???? ?????????????????.??o??


    Ernest felt a flicker of difort, though the absurdity amused him. “No,” he replied simply.


    How could Hadley even think that? Did he really seem like that kind of man?


    “Ernest,” Hadley said, knowing him too well, “maybe you’ve caught someone’s eye without realizing it?”


    He frowned, genuinely puzzled.


    “Think about it again,” she teased.


    Then the line went dead—Hadley had hung up just as Eric came back to the room.


    “Finished talking to Ernest?” he asked.


    “Yeah,” she said, smiling faintly. “He’s a bit clueless. In some things, not quite as sharp as you.”


    “Naturally,” Eric said with a smirk. “Trouble between him and Elissa?”


    “Mm-hmm,” Hadley sighed. “If only they were in Srixby. Ontmond’s too far away.”


    Eric chuckled. “Even in Srixby, you couldn’t fix it—it’s their problem, not yours. Don’t worry—Ernest’s a grown man. He can handle this.”


    “True,” Hadley admitted with augh. Then she changed the subject. “You put them into the dryer?”


    “Yeah. Come on, you think I can’t handle such a simple task?”


    Hadley wrinkled her nose yfully. “What’s there to be smug about? Washing bed sheets every day—is that your new aplishment?”


    With a little huff, she turned and headed to the bathroom.


    “And why shouldn’t I be proud?” Eric followed, smiling. “After all, we’ve missed so many years. It’s time we make up for them.”


    In the bathroom, he slipped his arms around her waist from behind.


    “Still, why wash them yourself? That’s what the staff’s for.”


    “You dare say that!” Hadley turned and shot him a re. “Aren’t you embarrassed?”


    “Why would I be?” Eric said easily. “It’s my house—and my wife.”


    “Enough! Not another word!” Hadley interrupted quickly, covering his mouth with her hand.


    “Alright, alright,” heughed, muffled.


    “So, what’s the n today?”


    “Colleen’s got a doctor’s appointment. I’m going with her. And tonight, she and Brady areing over for dinner.”


    Meanwhile, back in Ontmond.


    Ernest sat with his phone still in hand, brows knit in thought.


    Hadley had told him to think carefully. About what exactly? Was there really another woman beside him?


    If he were capable of that, would he still be in his thirties and have only ever loved Elissa?


    He shook his head. Hadley was just overthinking things.


    After his shower, Ernest came out to find his phone screen glowing on the table—a new message.


    It was from Emma. “Mr. Flynn, I didn’t see you around—did you head out early?”


    A momentter, another text popped up.


    “We’re nning a midnight hike to watch the sunrise—would that interest you, Mr. Flynn?”


    With one hand towel-drying his hair, he typed with the other—ready to decline. But then he paused. If Emma was going… would Elissa be there too?


    Instead of asking outright, he wrote, “Is it with the same group from tonight’s party?”


    The reply came almost instantly.


    “Yes, all acquaintances of yours, Mr. Flynn. You should join us. It’ll be fun.”


    So Elissa would be there?


    .


    .


    .