Ernest gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. “Alright.”

Encouraged, she pressed on, her words tumbling out like stones she’d carried too long. “Earlier today… he was unwell and couldn’t just walk away, so I bought him some medicine. That’s all it was.”

Her lashes fluttered, heavy with unshed tears.

“I promise I won’t see him again.”

She stared at him, eyes wide, willing him to believe her.

But Ernest remained unmoved. His silence pressed against her chest. Did he not believe her?

“I swear I’m not making this up!” Elissa cried out, her voice edged with desperation. “There’s no reason for us to be in contact anymore—none!” Even when she and Robin were still married, their lives barely intersected. Now that the divorce was final, the distance between them was absolute.

“Please… believe me,” she whispered.

Ernest studied her for a long moment—silent, unreadable—before letting out a long, slow sigh. Then, he lifted a hand and reached toward her.

Elissa froze. What was he going to do?

Her instincts screamed at her to step back, but she didn’t move. She didn’t dare. Not when any misstep might close the door for good. His fingertips brushed away the tears from her cheek—soft, deliberate. “Why are you crying?” he asked, though he already knew the answer.

She was afraid—of him.

She looked delicate like this, fragile and vulnerable, her tears clinging to her lashes like dewdrops on petals. The hard edge in his voice melted, giving way to the gentleness she hadn’t heard in what felt like forever.

“You were so damn stubborn,” he murmured, his thumb lingering just below her eye. “I had to be firm just to get through to you. I didn’t want you falling for him again… making the same mistake twice. Do you understand that?”

She didn’t answer, only looked at him—letting him touch her, letting him speak—afraid that even a breath might shatter the moment.

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“Alright… enough crying,” he whispered. He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to a hush meant only for her.

A stray lock of hair fell across her face, and he reached up, brushing his fingers lightly against her temple as he gently tucked it behind her ear.

Suddenly, Ernest stilled.

“What happened here?” His eyes narrowed, locking onto something beneath her bangs. Updates are released by FindN()vel.net

He reached out, parting the strands of hair that had slipped across her temple—revealing a bandage she had thought hidden.

He cradled her chin gently, tilting her face toward the light to get a better look. “You’re injured?” The sight of the bandage made something cold flash in his eyes. “Did Robin hit you again?”

Elissa’s eyes widened. “No! No, it’s not like that.” She shook her head, her brows furrowing together. “This has nothing to do with him.”

“Then what is it?” Ernest’s voice grew sharper, though the worry in it was unmistakable. “How did you hurt your forehead?”

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