“Absolutely,” Eric confirmed with a nod. “Those were Ernest’s exact words.”

“Um…” Elissa’s breath caught, her eyes glistening as emotion welled up. She pressed a hand to her mouth, overwhelmed with joy.

Hadley, still holding Elissa’s arm, gave it a gentle, reassuring pat. “Don’t cry. That is wonderful news, isn’t it?”

“It really is!” Elissa exclaimed, her voice trembling with relief.

After Ernest’s departure the previous night, doubts had crept into her mind. She had wondered if she had made a mistake, fearing she might never see Locke again. Ernest had once wielded Locke as leverage to make her stay by his side, after all. This unexpected turn felt like a gift.

The sound of eager footsteps interrupted her thoughts as Locke, growing impatient, bounded back into the house.

“Miss Holland!” he called out.

“Locke!”

Elissa’s face lit up, and she swept him into a warm embrace.

“Miss Holland?” Locke blinked, puzzled, noticing her glistening eyes. “Why are you crying? Are you sick?”

“I…” Elissa faltered, searching for the right words.

“She is perfectly fine,” Hadley interjected with a kind smile, answering for her.

“She’s just not ready to say goodbye yet. She will just miss you so much.”

“Oh,” Locke said, his young face wise beyond his years. He reached up, gently patting Elissa’s cheek. “Don’t cry, Miss Holland. I will miss you too. But it’s only for a little while. We’ll see each other again tomorrow, right?”

“Yes,” Elissa said, swallowing her tears and forcing a smile to mask the ache in her heart. “You’re right, Locke.”

“Can you walk me out, Miss Holland?” Locke chirped.

Fresh updates available at ?@lnσνe?s?com

“Of course,” Elissa replied, her voice steadier now.

Outside, Eric carefully took Locke from Elissa’s arms and turned to Hadley. “I’ll be heading out now.”

“Take care,” Hadley said with a nod.

“Will do,” Eric replied.

He settled Locke into the car, hesitating before sliding in. His eyes darted back toward the house, hoping for a glimpse of Joy. But she was nowhere in sight; she was deliberately avoiding him, hiding away.

A wry smile tugged at Eric’s lips as he climbed into the car. Rolling down the window, he joined Locke in waving.

“Bye!” he called.

“Bye-bye!” Locke echoed with enthusiasm.

“See you soon!” Elissa and Hadley called back, their voices warm against the cool evening air.

Elissa lingered at the gate, her hand still raised in farewell long after the car had vanished from sight. “Hadley,” she murmured, her gaze fixed on the gate. “I want nothing more than to live with Locke, to be with him always. Just the two of us.”

Hadley’s brow furrowed, a gentle shake of her head conveying her doubt. “Ernest would never allow it,” she said softly.

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