As she approached the house, a sleek black car came into view near the entrance.
One look at the license plate made her pause—there was no mistaking it. That was Ernest’s vehicle. What was he doing here?
She stepped inside without hesitation. Just beyond the doorway, a familiar pair of black, handcrafted leather shoes caught her attention.
.
.
.
As soon as Elissa stepped into the house, Hadley emerged from the kitchen with a tray in her hands.
“Elissa? You’re back early today.”
Elissa’s eyes flicked to the tray. The iced Americano stood out—Ernest’s favorite.
She shook her head and said, “No. I brought the designs home last night. Just stopped by to grab them. I’ve got to head back out again.”
“Okay…” Hadley smiled, then lowered her voice as she glanced toward the living room. “Ernest’s here. He wanted to talk.”
It was about what happened in Tidebourne—and he’d brought Nyla’s instructions with him.
“Then I won’t keep you.” Elissa pointed upstairs. “I’ll just grab the drawings and go.”
“Alright.”
She hurried up to her room. When she came back down, she heard Hadley and Ernest talking in the living room.
“You didn’t have to buy so many toys. Keep them for Locke. He’s going to love them.”
“Locke already has his own. This set is for Joy.”
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“Thank you, Ernest…”
Elissa didn’t linger. She slipped on her shoes and stepped out the front door.
At the gate, her phone rang. Robin.
“You’re at the office already? That was fast.”
“No,” he said. “I’m at Jewel Avenue. The guards wouldn’t let me in, so I’m waiting near the entrance.”
“You came to pick me up?” Her tone lifted, surprised. “Alright… just give me a second.”
She ended the call, closed the gate behind her, and hurried forward.
“Elissa! Over here!” Robin waved from across the street, leaning out of the car window.
“Okay!”
She nodded, crossed the road, and Robin stepped out to open the passenger door for her. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
As she bent to get in, Elissa paused. In the rearview mirror, she saw a familiar black car.
.
.
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