Her eyes lingered on it for a moment before she quietly closed the conditioner bottle and tucked it back in the cabinet.

Just as Hadley had expected, Elissa made her way to Addy’s house.

“Grandpa… would it be alright if I stayed here for a little while?”

Addy, though aged, was as perceptive as ever. He studied her carefully. “Did you and Ernest have a falling out?”

Elissa lowered her gaze, unable—or unwilling—to explain. “Grandpa…”

“If you’d rather not talk about it, that’s fine,” he said gently, resting a comforting hand on her head. “Just stay. Keep me company, sweetheart.”

Rising from his chair, Addy added, “I’ll have the maid change the sheets in your old room.”

“Thank you, Grandpa.”

“There’s no need for all that formality with me,” he said with a smile. “Don’t forget—this is your home, too.”

Later, after the room was tidied, Elissa quietly slipped inside and closed the door behind her.

Her phone vibrated again in her pocket. It was Ernest—still calling, after ringing her what felt like a dozen times already.

Elissa stared at the screen, her jaw tightening. She didn’t want to answer.

When the call finally ended, a message flashed onto the screen. “Elissa, I’m outside the door of your grandfather’s house.” What?

Her breath caught. How did he even find this place?

She rushed to the window, lifting the curtain ever so slightly. The Holland residence was old and modest in size. From her vantage point on the second floor, she had a clear view of the front gate. There it was—Ernest’s sleek Cayenne. And there he stood, right in front of it.

Elissa’s heart stuttered. She let the curtain fall, backing away as if she’d touched something hot. Latest content published on Find1Novel.net

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Her phone lit up again—another call.

She hesitated, her fingers hovering, before she finally scowled and switched the device off completely. He wouldn’t dare to barge in anyway.

If he crossed that line and involved Addy, any shred of respect she had left for him would vanish completely.

Outside, Ernest stood motionless by his car, phone in hand, his eyes locked on the softly glowing window above.

The thin curtain offered little cover—he could see the light was still on.

He remembered that room. It belonged to her.

She had to be inside.

Elissa still wasn’t answering. In truth, Ernest hadn’t expected her to.

He tried calling again. This time, her phone had been turned off. His hand dropped to his side, and he rubbed his brow, a heavy sigh escaping his lips.

Winning her back… it wasn’t going to be simple. Not this time.

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