“No one told me!” Locke was practically steaming with frustration. “I figured it out all by myself!”

Locke’s perception surprised Ernest. “I’ve watched how couples act together, and you’re exactly like them. I may be young, but I’m not stupid!”

Locke had genuinely pieced it together without any help. Ernest massaged his forehead wearily as his son’s innocent yet determined voice pressed on.

“You still haven’t answered my question. Did you dump Miss Holland? Dad, you’re heartless! A bad guy!”

“Tsk.” Ernest’s frown deepened as he clicked his tongue in frustration. “Dump her? I didn’t dump her.”

“Ah…” Understanding dawned in Locke’s voice. “So Miss Holland dumped you? Dad, how could you be so terrible that Miss Holland doesn’t want you anymore?”

Ernest found himself trapped in an impossible situation. In his son’s eyes, regardless of the circumstances, he would always be the villain.

“Locke.” His voice carried a note of weary defeat. Ernest struggled to find the right words. “This is an adult matter. You wouldn’t understand.”

“Dad, you’re the one who doesn’t understand!” Locke’s voice cracked with emotion, tears threatening to spill—he was still just a little boy, after all. “Miss Holland is so wonderful, and you let her go! Bad Dad!”

“Locke! Is this how I raised you? To speak so disrespectfully to your father?”

“Hmph! I’m being disrespectful because you’re the one who did something wrong! Dad is bad! A really big, bad guy!”

“Locke, Locke…” Kira’s voice cut in, sensing the conversation spiraling out of control. She quickly took the phone from the boy’s hands. “Mr. Flynn, Locke is just a child. Please try to be more patient with him.”

“Kira.” Ernest’s anger wasn’t directed at Locke—something deeper was troubling the boy. “What’s gotten into him?”

“Well…” Kira sighed, the weight of explanation in her voice. “It’s about Miss Holland. She had to work late tonight and couldn’t visit. Locke is devastated.”

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So that explained Locke’s unexpected phone call.

Ernest fell silent, his expression growing thoughtful. “She said she had to work late and couldn’t make it?”

“That’s exactly what she said,” Kira confirmed. “I should hang up now—I need to check on Locke. He must be heartbroken.”

“Alright.” Ernest nodded and ended the call. He stood there holding the phone, lost in contemplation.

Elissa hadn’t come to see Locke tonight. No wonder he was devastated. In all this time, this was the first time she had disappointed him. And her reason was working late?

Was she throwing herself into work because of their breakup? Would situations like this become more common in the days ahead?

Ernest stood in brooding silence, the crease in his brow deepening with each passing thought.

Meanwhile, at a restaurant. Without a reservation, Elissa and Robin couldn’t secure a private room, so they settled for a table in the bustling main dining area.

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