What mysterious affliction had befallen her?
From what origin did this excruciating pain radiate through her knees? With trembling fingers, she raised the delicate fabric of her nightgown to reveal twin patches of livid discoloration marring both knees.
What could have caused this?
The blood drained from Elissa’s face as icy realization coursed through her veins. Had her unconscious body once again wandered during the darkest hours of the night? These nocturnal journeys always left no trace in her waking memory.
Just hours before, skepticism had colored her reaction to Ernest’s warnings. Now, uncertainty gnawed at her confidence—had his concerns been legitimate after all?
Her gaze returned to the condemning evidence emblazoned across her flesh… In just a few days, mysterious injuries had manifested without rational explanation on two separate occasions.
Confronted with such irrefutable physical testimony, denial became an impossibility she could no longer sustain.
The persistent electronic summons of the doorbell continued to demand attention.
“Elissa!” Ernest’s voice penetrated the wooden barrier with unmistakable urgency, his distinctive timbre carrying clearly through the door.
Evidently exhausted by the prolonged delay, his fist hammered against the door with increasing force.
“I’m coming!” Her voice emerged strained with pain and frustration.
Elissa forcibly redirected her attention from the disturbing evidence and limped painfully across the floor to address her visitor.
“Elissa?” Apprehension shadowed Ernest’s aristocratic features, though upon confirming her physical presence, his shoulders relaxed as tension visibly drained from his body. For more chapters visit find?novel.net
“Your safety is my primary concern… disquieting thoughts occupied my mind during your delay. What caused such a prolonged answering of the door?”
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Elissa deliberately sidestepped his inquiry, deflecting with her own. “What brings you to my residence at this early hour?”
“Concern for your well-being motivated my visit,” Ernest confessed without pretense. “Was your slumber peaceful through the night? Or did another nocturnal incident occur?” His penetrating gaze sought the truth in her expression.
Elissa’s entire body tensed, his prescient inquiry stripping away her intended concealment before she could form a plausible denial.
“What’s with that look?” Ernest instantly registered her telltale pause, deep lines forming across his forehead. “The sleepwalking—it recurred, didn’t it?” Elissa’s continued reluctance to respond only amplified his mounting concern. “Elissa, candor is essential now! Your well-being cannot be jeopardized by misguided stoicism!” Urgency infused every syllable.
After a prolonged internal struggle, Elissa’s resistance crumbled. “Yes, I experienced another incident.” The admission came reluctantly.
A shadow passed across Ernest’s countenance as he briefly closed his eyes against the troubling confirmation, composing himself before proceeding.
His gaze then conducted a thorough assessment of her person, anxiety evident in every taut muscle. “Identify the location of your injury.”
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