?Chapter 3146:


    The situation struck him as baffling. She was suddenly throwing a tantrum out of nowhere.


    “I’m staying right here.” Confusion brushed over Ernest rather than irritation, and he stayed patient and gentle as always. “I have no ns of leaving you. I’ll be right here with you.”


    Tears gathered in her eyes while she aimed a wounded stare at him. “That isn’t true! You weren’t here!”


    Only then did rity sink in.


    She must have woken up alone, and it frightened her enough tosh out.


    The sight warmed him more than he expected.


    ???? ??a???? ???? ?????? ??о??m??????t?? о?? ??а????оv??????.??????


    He swallowed augh before it could escape.


    “I shouldn’t have slipped away.” His voice softened even more. “I’m sorry. Tell me if anything hurts or makes you ufortable.”


    When he spoke, Elissa lifted her hand to shield her chest without thinking.


    Ernest quietly caught the motion.


    “Is your chest hurting at all? Do you want me to bring a doctor here? Maybe I should take you straight to the hospital instead?” He tried to remember everything he knew about Elissa’s health.


    Her medical files showed nothing unusual regarding her heart. Even so, caution seemed safer than dismissal.


    “No doctor!” Elissa’s refusal came with a stubborn shake of her head.


    Ernest frowned. The feeling behind his expression was worry rather than irritation. “Chest pain isn’t something to ignore. Let a doctor check you properly.”


    “No, no!” Elissa jutted her lower lip and looked as though she’d been wronged. “You don’t even care. Why should I bother seeing one?”


    Ernest struggled for a response for a moment.


    He could only me himself.


    A reluctant smile softened his features. Her sulking expression drew out a tenderness he couldn’t quite hide.


    “I really do care,” he answered without rushing. “I only stepped out to answer a call so the sound wouldn’t wake you. Even so, I should havee back sooner.”


    He brought her hand closer and pressed a gentle kiss against her fingers. “Forgive me. Don’t stay upset.”


    Under the warmth of his voice, Elissa’s breathing evened out little by little.


    Earlier, she had been barely conscious.


    The dream left her rattled. Waking without Ernest beside her only deepened the panic.


    Her emotions slipped from her grasp before she even understood why.


    Noticing she had settled, Ernest checked her temperature with the back of his hand and found none.


    “Do you need me to call someone to check on you?” he asked again.


    .


    .


    .