?Chapter 3052:


    Ernest hesitated. Savannah probably wouldn’t like it, but… what if?


    After a moment’s thought, he typed again. “What time are we heading out?”


    Emma’s response came swiftly.


    He checked the clock. There was still time. He rose and went to his closet.


    Early the next morning.


    Emma, arm linked with Elissa’s, adjusted her hat. “Cold?” she asked.


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    “No,” Elissa said, shaking her head.


    Savannah had bundled her up warmly before they left.


    “Good,” Emma said brightly. “Sleepy?”


    “Not at all.”


    Elissa gave another small shake of her head.


    For Elissa, a midnight hike just to watch the sunrise was thrilling—too new, too exciting for sleep.


    “Perfect,” Emma smiled. “Let’s wait a bit. Once everyone’s here, we’ll head out.”


    “Okay.”


    At the mountain’s base, people began arriving.


    “Emma! Elissa!”


    A young man jogged over, grinning.


    Behind him, Emma spotted Ernest and waved. “Mr. Flynn! Over here!”


    “Coming,” Ernest replied, his pace quickening when he saw Elissa.


    Him? He wasing along too?


    Elissa lowered her gaze, twisting her fingers nervously.


    “Hey,dies, need help with your bags?” Steven asked, hand outstretched.


    “No need,” Emma declined quickly.


    “Elissa?” he asked.


    “I’m fine too,” Elissa murmured, gripping her backpack straps tighter.


    Ill or not, she could manage on her own.


    “Alright,” Steven said with a teasing smile. “If you girls need help, just ask.”


    “Let’s move out!” someone called.


    The trail to the mountain entrance was short, so everyone decided to walk rather than drive.


    At first, the path was smooth, but deeper in, it turned rocky and steep.


    Emma and Steven both kept a close eye on Elissa.


    “Elissa,e on!”


    They were ahead now, each extending a hand toward Elissa.


    Elissa hesitated, then reached for Emma’s.


    Emma sped it and shot Steven a yful grin.


    Stevenughed, rubbing his forehead. “Elissa, you can trust me too—I’m your friend, same as Emma!”


    “Let’s go!” Emma chirped. “You’re still the same, Steven—always hovering around Elissa!”


    “Yeah. You got a problem?” he shot back.


    Just a few steps behind them, Ernest listened quietly, his eyes narrowing slightly as they rested on the young man.


    Was this one of Elissa’s old admirers?


    He looked like the type—charming, a little too easygoing.


    Good thing he’de along. He’d keep an eye on this one.


    Darkness surrounded the mountains, pierced only by the thin beams of their shlights.


    Emma and Elissa strolled hand in hand.


    “Hey, slow down!”


    “Yes—ah!”


    “Ah!”


    Suddenly, two sharp cries split the silence. shlights wavered, then caught the source—a dull thud from the path below.


    “What’s going on?”


    “Elissa! Emma!”


    “Elissa!”


    Ernest and Steven bolted forward. They found the two girls in a shallow pit beside the path, both having stumbled into it in the dark.


    Ernest and Steven both crouched, extending their hands toward the girls at the same time.


    “Take my hand!”


    They both spoke at the same time.


    Below, Emma winced, helping Elissa sit up. “Careful… ow!”


    Even the slightest movement sent pain shooting up her ankle.


    “Ah…” Elissa gasped, her sharp intake of breath mirroring Emma’s pain.


    “What happened? Where does it hurt?” Ernest’s voice came tight with concern.


    Who exactly was he addressing?


    Emma, unaware of his connection to Elissa, assumed the question was for her.


    “My ankle!” she said quickly. “I think I twisted it!”


    Elissa opened her mouth to speak—then closed it again, swallowing her words.


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