“Linda…” Ernest called out hesitantly, at a loss for words.

When he finally spoke, it was with visible strain, each word weighing heavily on his tongue.

“Elissa hasn’t done anything wrong. I owe her. For years, Robin’s mistreated her because of what happened that night—and it’s all my fault. She has suffered enough.”

“Stop!” Linda’s voice rang out, slicing through the air like a blade. Her face had gone ashen. Updates are released by find?novel.net

“Really? She has suffered enough? And what about me?!” Her tone grew shrill. “I was violated too! So why does she get to take the man I love? Why, Ernest? Tell me!”

Ernest stood there in silence, unable to refute her words.

“Is it because of Locke?” Linda’s eyes narrowed. Her gaze was sharp and accusing, as though she already had her answer.

“She’s unbelievable, isn’t she? Sleeping with some random guy, getting pregnant, and then shamelessly deciding to keep the baby!”

“That’s because—” Ernest tried to explain. But Linda wasn’t interested in hearing excuses.

“I got pregnant too from that night.” She placed her hand on her stomach. Her voice trembled with rage as she spoke. “That child… to me, was nothing but a curse. A permanent scar on my life! Do you have any idea what I went through? How terrified I was every single day?”

“I’m sorry,” Ernest muttered remorsefully. “It’s all my fault. I failed you.”

But beyond those words, he couldn’t think of anything else to say. No words could undo what had happened, and no explanation would ever be enough.

“I don’t want your apology!” Linda grabbed his hand tightly, shaking her head as tears ran down her face. “Ernest, I want you. Come back to me. Let’s try again… please. Just say you will.”

Ernest said nothing. He couldn’t even bring himself to look at her.

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Instead, he averted his gaze.

That silence said everything.

“There’s no chance?” Linda froze, hope draining from her eyes.

She had pleaded with him again and again, but he still wouldn’t give in.

Biting her lip, she forced a bitter smile. “You just can’t let her go, can you? Elissa has got you wrapped around her little finger.”

“I’ve already hurt you,” Ernest said, finally meeting her gaze. “I won’t do the same to her.”

Their gazes met, and for a brief second, neither of them spoke.

Then, after a long, suffocating silence, Linda let out a low, bitter laugh.

“I’ve lost…” Linda’s voice was heavy with despair and she looked distant. “You told me that before I ended things between us, there was nothing going on between you and Elissa—no affair, no betrayal.”

“Yes, that’s true,” Ernest replied with a nod.

“I see.” A faint smile appeared on her lips as she nodded slowly, like something inside her had finally clicked. “So, the ten-plus years we spent together… mean nothing compared to the single year you’ve had with her? I’ve lost—completely, hopelessly lost. Ha… ha…”

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