?Chapter 3140:


    Was she truly this shy?


    He reached out and caught Elissa’s wrist.


    In one smooth motion, he pulled her against his chest. Elissa gasped again, startled. She released another faint cry that trembled in the air.


    A quietugh rumbled from Ernest as he lowered his voice near her ear. “You don’t have to be nervous around me.” His breath lingered near her skin while he spoke. “We’ve faced each other before. You know me well enough already.”


    Elissa leaned into him, her lips pressed together, though a faint smile tugged at the corners.


    “Elissa, I feel like kissing you right now.” He lifted her chin and leaned forward, and their mouths met in a long, hungry kiss.


    It felt like ages since thest time he felt this happy.


    Ever since she fell into the sea, the distance between them had been unbearable. There were moments when he feared he would never see her again. But she was here now, safe in his arms.


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    The need to kiss her over and over almost overwhelmed him, as if doing so would prove she was real and not another cruel dream.


    “This is not a dream, is it?” Ernest brushed her lips with his own, speaking between breaths. “We are finally together, aren’t we?”


    Elissa nodded, lost in the moment and unable to find her voice.


    Ernest imed her mouth again, deeper this time.


    It felt like a blessing he didn’t deserve. She had returned to him, and nothing—not time, not distance—would ever pull them apart again.


    Evening settled over the house.


    At dinner, Elissa’s lips still looked a little puffed and rosy. Ernest sat beside her, piling food onto her te with one hand, while beneath the table, his other hand held hers tightly. He couldn’t seem to stop. Touching her was the only thing that kept his heart steady.


    N and Savannah exchanged a nce but chose to act as if nothing was happening.


    “Mr. Flynn?” William was the only one bold enough toment. “Do you seriously need to eat while holding my sister’s hand?”


    Ernest cleared his throat. His expression remained perfectlyposed. He even replied with grave sincerity, “I do, William.”


    William opened his mouth but found noeback waiting. For once, he was the one left without words.


    “William!” Savannah scolded, her brows knitting. “Focus on your meal.”


    Then she turned toward N with a pleasant smile. “Mrs. Flynn, after we finish eating, we’ll head over to see Ethan. It’s not convenient to bring him here, so I hope it won’t trouble you too much.”


    “Of course not!” N’s eyes softened with delight. She looked as if finally being able to see her great-grandson had filled her whole world with sunshine.


    Right then, she felt as though even scaling a mountain would be an easy task.


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