His gaze flicked to Hadley. “Hadley, where does Elissa keep her slippers? Which pair should I get for her?”

Hadley nodded, already turning toward the shoe cabinet. “I’ll get them.” Though a thousand questions spun in her mind, she smiled and hurried to retrieve Elissa’s slippers.

“Thanks.” Gratitude filled Ernest’s voice. He carried Elissa into the living room and set her gently on the sofa.

Not long after, Hadley reappeared, slippers in hand. “Elissa, here you go.”

A sheepish smile crept across Elissa’s face. “Thanks, Hadley… sorry for the trouble.”

Explaining this scene felt impossible. Who could have predicted Ernest would act so boldly?

“Don’t mention it. It’s not a big deal.”

“Let me have those.” Ernest stepped in before the conversation could go further. He reached for the slippers, took hold of Elissa’s ankle, and began to slip them onto her feet.

“I can handle that myself. Am I not even capable of putting on my slippers?” Embarrassment colored Elissa’s voice.

A low laugh rumbled from Ernest, clearly enjoying himself. “Oh, so you can put on your own shoes? Impressive.”

The room went quiet. Neither woman knew how to answer.

Suddenly, Ernest’s phone broke the silence, ringing across the living room.

“Hello?”

Quentin’s voice sounded from the other end.

New chapters now on .c?m

“Got it. I’ll make my way back now.”

After a brief exchange, Ernest ended the call and glanced at Elissa. “I have to leave now. There’s still business at the office. I actually left right in the middle of a meeting.”

“Then don’t just stand there—go already!” The retort slipped out at once. She wanted nothing more than for him to leave immediately.

.

.

.

Although Elissa behaved coldly, Ernest didn’t seem bothered in the slightest. He kept his pleasant tone. “I really should be heading out… Try to get some rest.”

He glanced at his watch. “My schedule’s packed today… Let’s do this instead. Use the next few days to start packing.”

Packing? For what? That question echoed in Elissa’s mind, sending a chill through her.

Without pausing, Ernest said, “Since you’re expecting, settling in at Lion Bay would be far more practical.”

Then he turned to Hadley with a calm smile. “Hadley has her own life after all, so you staying here isn’t ideal for her in the long run. We’ve still got to ready the place at Lion Bay… You just start packing, and I’ll come back to get you soon.”

.

.

.