Once inside the car, Linda stared out the window, silent and distant. Her quiet made Eric even more uneasy, as if something important was about to unfold.
Near Silver Villas, his phone buzzed.
He answered quickly, “Ernest.”
He glanced at Linda, giving her a small nod. “Yes, I’ve picked her up. We’re almost there… Okay, see you soon.”
After the call, Linda remained quiet, still gazing at the scenery outside. She spoke at last, voice cool and steady.
“Ernest is meeting us?”
“Yeah.” Eric nodded, a line forming between his brows. “He’s done for the day and will come straight over.”
Linda let out a soft laugh, her lips curving in a hint of a smile.
“Perfect. I’ll wait for him here.”
The car soon rolled into the familiar driveway of Linda’s old villa. At the doorway, Linda fixed Eric with a frosty look.
“We’ve arrived. You don’t need to stay any longer.”
Eric shook his head, refusing to leave. “I’ll wait until Ernest gets here.”
He worried about what she might do if left alone.
Linda let out a cold, knowing laugh.
“Do whatever you want.”
She turned her attention to Jane. “Please help me upstairs.”
“Right away.” ?s s f?ndnovel.net
Jane crouched in front of the wheelchair, lifted Linda onto her back, and carried her carefully up to the second floor.
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Eric watched in silence, a growing unease tightening in his chest.
He settled into the living room and waited.
Every now and then, Eric checked his watch. More than thirty minutes had passed by the time Ernest finally showed up.
“Ernest.” Eric rose from his seat as soon as his brother walked in.
“Eric.” Ernest’s face was drawn with worry. “Where is Linda?”
“She’s upstairs. The caregiver is with her.”
“All right.”
Both men headed up the stairs, one following the other.
At that moment, Linda appeared in the hallway. She had changed into fresh clothes and looked more put together.
She motioned to the caregiver. “Jane, you can leave. I won’t need you here for now.”
“Okay.” Jane stepped away from the wheelchair and made her way downstairs, leaving Linda alone with the two men.
Linda faced them with a soft smile, but she spoke to Ernest. “So you’re here already? Did I pull you away from something important?”
She spoke as though this was just another ordinary morning.
.
.
.