?Chapter 3116:


    “Of course.” Ernest nodded again, not arguing the point. “And that’s exactly why I’m saying this. When she’s here, she’s still your little girl. But with me…” His voice gentled, filled with quiet understanding. “She is a wife. A mother to Locke and Ethan. An adult. That’s the environment she needs. It’s only then that she can truly see herself as a normal person, which is the most beneficial thing for her. Isn’t that true?”


    Recalling something, he added in a steady tone, “Mrs. Brown, you also want Elissa to get better, don’t you?”


    Savannah had recently traveled to Srixby, tried to secretly take Locke from school, and even arranged for Elissa to meet with Robin. She had done all of that for one reason: she desperately wanted Elissa to recover.


    “Mrs. Brown.” Ernest’s voice remained low, yet firm. “Have you ever considered that moving back with me would be the most effective solution?”


    After all, he and Elissa were true lovers. Because they already had Ethan and Locke, they were a real family.


    Savannah’s silence stretched for a beat before she released a dry, humorlessugh. “I know that better than anyone. But do you really think you deserve Elissa?”


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    She shot a nce toward the stairs, her voice dropping to a fierce whisper. “Look at what you have done! If it weren’t for you, Elissa would never have suffered like this in the first ce.”


    Just the thought of what he had done to hurt Elissa made it impossible for Savannah to hand her daughter over.


    “You’re right. It is my fault,” Ernest admitted, his face going pale. “But leaving them now, abandoning my duty, would be a far greater crime. A sin I could never forgive myself for.”


    With that, he rose sharply from the armchair and immediately dropped to his knees right in front of Savannah.


    “This is my fault. All of it. I swear to you, on my life, it will never happen again. Please. Let me take care of her.”


    “Oh my God!” Neville was clearly unustomed to such dramatic disys. He sprang up from the sofa in shock and reached out to pull Ernest back up. “You…”


    He nced worriedly at his wife’s face. “Savannah, he…”


    “What?” she asked coolly. Compared to Neville’s panic, she wasposed, almost indifferent. What was him on his knees beggingpared to the damage he had caused to her daughter?


    “Leave him be,” she said tly. With the damage he had caused Elissa, she figured this was the smallest price he could pay.


    “Huh?” Neville sighed, confused but acquiescing to his wife’s will. “Alright, fine.”


    “Ernest.” Savannah’s gaze swept coldly over the man on the floor.


    “Yes,” Ernest replied immediately, straightening his back even in the kneeling position.


    Savannah’s expression hardened. “This isn’t something you can smooth over by pleading with me.”


    She knew that after the deep hurt he had caused Elissa, his kneeling and begging wouldn’t make a damn bit of difference. Still, she had to admit she hadn’t expected this persistence. Even after Neville had concealed the truth and orchestrated their daughter’s fake death, Ernest hadn’t given up.


    Now, over a yearter, Ernest had tracked Elissa down again.


    “It’s gettingte.” Savannah felt exhausted and let out a deep, weary sigh. “You should leave now. I need to rest.”


    “Mrs. Brown?” Ernest’s head snapped up, disbelief etched on his face.


    Was she sending him away just like that?


    “What now?” Savannah’s patience thinned. “If I don’t agree today, are you nning to stay here forever on your knees? Is this some kind of emotional ckmail?”


    “No! I would never.” Ernest shook his head hurriedly. He didn’t have the guts, or the decency, to be so rash. Slowly, he pushed himself up from the floor.


    “Then I’ll take my leave. Goodnight to you both.”


    Savannah said nothing, her silent stare a clear and cold dismissal.


    “Take care, Mr. Flynn.” Neville showed Ernest to the door and stood on the step, watching the younger man’s solitary figure disappear into the dark. A slow, heavy sigh escaped him as he shook his head.


    “What are you sighing for?” Savannah snapped, annoyed, shooting her husband a sharp look.


    Neville replied, “I was just thinking.”


    “Of what?”


    “You really shouldn’t have done things you’d regretter, knowing you can’t turn back the clock.”


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