Elissa stared at his outstretched hand but kept her arms at her sides, pressing him urgently, “I’m asking you a question, answer me!”
Ernest released a weary sigh and surrendered to her persistence.
He then delivered the truth plainly. “I sent her to Pristin Mountain Sanatorium in the southern part of the city.”
“What’s that?” Elissa remained bewildered. Updates are released by f?i?n?d?n?o?v?e?l?.net
She had left Srixby in her youth and spent countless years overseas, leaving her unfamiliar with the city’s landmarks.
Ernest tapped his temple with one finger, clarifying, “It’s a professional mental health facility.”
Elissa blinked in shock, words escaping her completely.
A mental health facility? He had committed Linda to such a place? He had truly found the strength to take that step? Elissa had assumed that he and Eric would cherish Linda with unwavering devotion for the rest of their lives.
“Elissa.”
While she remained lost in thought, Ernest captured her hand. “Sit with me for a while, will you?”
He guided Elissa to a nearby bench where they both settled.
Elissa hadn’t fully gathered her thoughts when she found herself seated beside him, their shoulders nearly touching. She couldn’t resist studying his face, still struggling to accept what she’d just heard.
“Is what you said true?” she asked.
“Yes.” Ernest settled back against the bench and let his eyelids drift shut. “How could I fabricate something like this?”
Fair point.
Elissa reasoned silently—if he were lying, the truth would surface within days.
“Elissa!” A colleague appeared in the doorway, beaming as he announced, “Your mango smoothie has arrived!”
“Oh, thanks!” Elissa responded, moving to rise from the bench.
However, his grip tightened around her fingers. She glanced down and tugged against his hold. “Ernest, release my hand—my smoothie is here!”
“Don’t leave.” With his eyes still closed, Ernest appeared deaf to Elissa’s protests, holding onto her hand firmly. “Stay with me a little longer.”
Unable to escape his grasp, Elissa abandoned her struggle. She fixed him with an irritated stare, only to notice the dark shadows beneath his eyes. Men and women differed in this regard. Women could mask exhaustion with cosmetics, but a man’s fatigue revealed itself without mercy.
“You…” Elissa found herself speaking softer. “Do you feel exhausted?”
“Yes.” Ernest’s throat worked as he answered quietly. “I’m completely drained.”
How could he feel anything but exhausted? Since Linda’s return, every waking moment had demanded his attention.
Beyond sleep, not a single moment had belonged to him. Elissa pressed her lips together, reflecting silently—hadn’t he brought this chaos upon himself? He deserved every bit of it!
Yet, gazing at his weary profile, she could only harbor these thoughts privately, lacking the courage to voice them aloud.
.
.
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