?Chapter 3091:


    A new message arrived, followed by an attachment.


    Ernest nced across the table. Elissa was happily focused on her breakfast, her cheeks full, her smile unguarded. While she ate, he opened the file in silence.


    The first pages were a blur of charts and medical terms he couldn’t decipher. He scrolled past them until he reached the final summary.


    There, under Discharge Diagnosis, two words appeared clean and stark—Cerebral Injury.


    The confirmation struck him hard.


    His chest tightened, sinking under the weight of it.


    Across from him, Elissa noticed the change in his expression. “What are you looking at? Is something wrong?”


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    His face had darkened before he could stop it.


    “It’s nothing.” Ernest forced a small smile and slipped the phone into his pocket.


    He reached for a napkin, leaned forward, and wiped the bit of pumpkin filling at the corner of her mouth. “You missed a spot, little kitten.”


    Elissa flushed and tried to take the napkin from him. “I can do it.”


    “Stay still.” Ernest held her face with gentle hands. “Let me finish.”


    “Thank you.”


    “There. You’re all set.”


    When he pulled his hand back, Elissa covered her mouth and let out a soft yawn.


    His gaze sharpened. “You’re sleepy?”


    Her eyes shimmered slightly from the yawn. “A little.”


    The memory of her medical report came rushing back. Ernest’s brow tightened. “Does this happen often? Do you get tired easily?”


    “No.” She shook her head without worry. “I just woke up too early today.”


    Realization washed over him. “Right. That makes sense.”


    He breathed out slowly. Once again, he had jumped to the worst conclusion. Every small sign made him fear something deeper was wrong.


    “Are you finished?” he asked.


    “Yes. I’m done.”


    “Then let’s go.” Ernest stood and offered his hand to help her up. “Come on.”


    Elissa leaned against him as she rose, another quiet yawn slipping out. “Where are we going?”


    “Home. So you can sleep.”


    “What?” She blinked, her lips curving into a small pout of disappointment. “We’re going home already?”


    “Hm?” Her reaction made himugh under his breath. “You don’t want to go home yet? Can’t stand being apart from me? Want to stay with me longer?”


    How could she ever admit that? She looked away. “Of course not.”


    “Really?” He lowered his head and brushed a kiss against the corner of her lips before ending his teasing. “Well, I can’t stand being away from you.”


    With one arm wrapped around her, he guided her toward the door. “So I’m not taking you back to your home. You’ll sleep at my ce.”


    The day had barely begun. He wasn’t ready to let her go.


    “Your ce?” Elissa asked softly.


    “Is that okay?” Ernest asked.


    “Mm-hmm!” Elissa tilted her head with a small smile. “That’s fine.”


    “Then let’s go!”


    When they reached another puddle, Ernest didn’t slow—he simply lifted her again and stepped over it as if it were nothing.


    They made their way back to the car and started toward his ce.


    It hadn’t been long before Ernest nced sideways and saw her leaning against the seat, eyes barely open. Within moments, she had slipped into sleep.


    Worried she might get cold, he adjusted the temperature, letting the warmth settle around her.


    She didn’t stir even when they arrived at the vi.


    Ernest parked at the front steps and carried her inside with careful arms, moving through the quiet house and up the staircase.


    Heid her on the bed, tucked the nket around her, then crossed the room to pull the curtains closed.


    It was only a little past seven.


    “Sleep well,” he whispered, though he already knew he wouldn’t.


    Outside the room, he took out his phone and called his bodyguard.


    “Boss,” the bodyguard answered.


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