?Chapter 3118:


    Joy was in school now, growing quickly—they did have the time and strength for another child.


    Despite his reassurance, Hadley muttered, “I’m not ready. And if I do get pregnant, am I going to walk down the aisle with a belly?”


    “Don’t stress yourself,” Eric said, resting a hand on her stomach. “There’s no guarantee anyway. Just let things flow naturally.”


    Later, on his way to work, Eric’s phone rang—it was Ernest again.


    “Ernest? What is it now?”


    He’d already discussed Ethan with Hadley, so this had to be something different.


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    “Linda…” Ernest hesitated, as though the name felt foreign on his tongue. “What’s her current situation?”


    “Her?” Eric stalled. “I’m not sure.”


    Cristian managed everything concerning Linda, leaving Eric genuinely out of the loop—he also didn’t care anyway. She was likely just waiting for her court date and the verdict.


    And such procedures couldn’t be sped up.


    Cristian had told him her condition might result in a suspended death sentence—or life imprisonment.


    “But why ask about her, Ernest?”


    They had silently agreed to let thew take its course and not involve themselves anymore.


    Ernest paused before saying, “Have Cristian speak with her.”


    “What?” Eric blinked in confusion. What was Ernest implying?


    Ernest didn’t borate. “Make sure she stays alive,” he said simply.


    “Understood,” Eric muttered with a frown, lowering the phone.


    “Phillips—”


    “Sir?” Phillips asked, ncing back from the passenger seat.


    “Assign people to watch Linda closely.”


    “Yes, sir.”


    At seven sharp, Elissa woke, stepped out of her room, and headed downstairs.


    “You’re up?” Savannah called upon hearing her footsteps, emerging from the dining room.


    “Yes,” Elissa replied with a nod.


    “Did you rest well?”


    “I did,” she said, nodding once more.


    “Good.”


    Savannah noted her daughter’s calmplexion and remembered the sleep aids in her medication, concluding she wasn’t pretending.


    “Breakfast is readye.” Savannah guided her into the dining room. “I have no sses this morning, and the weather’s lovely. After we eat, let’s walk in the garden.”


    “Okay,” Elissa murmured, biting her lip as she nced at her mother.


    After hesitating again and again, she finally asked, “Mom, how did the talk gost night?”


    Savannah stilled, avoiding her daughter’s gaze as she lifted another spoonful of oatmeal.


    “It waste. We didn’t talk much. I simply asked him to leave.”


    Elissa blinked in surprise. “That’s all?”


    “Yes,” Savannah answered, acting absorbed in her food.


    Elissa felt thrown off bnce.


    How could it end so simply? What about the ns? Was she still taking Ethan to Prineville? And Ernest? Would he even allow her to leave with Ethan? And in Srixby… there was still Locke—her other child.


    A sound echoed from the foyer.


    “Such pleasant weather today…” Neville’s voice sounded. “Go on in. Elissa must be awake—she’s always up early.”


    “Alright,” Ernest responded.


    Hearing that voice, Elissa immediately lowered her fork.


    Ernest was here.


    Savannah fellpletely still.


    Ernest and Neville walked into the dining room, one behind the other.


    “Good morning, Dad.” Elissa smiled.


    “Morning, sweetheart.”


    Savannah frowned, irritated. Why had her husbande with Ernest?


    “Good morning, Mrs. Brown,” Ernest said politely, giving a small nod.


    Savannah answered with a cold snort.


    Ernest didn’t bother reacting—his gaze shifted to Elissa. She was already watching him; their eyes locked instantly. Across the quiet room, their gazes intertwined—wordless, yet brimming with emotion that needed no sound.


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