Ernest held his breath, watching closely to see how Locke would take the news.

“Mom, Mom…” Locke’s lower lip trembled, and his gaze dropped. “Why wasn’t she with me? Didn’t she want me?”

“That’s not true at all,” Ernest replied quickly.

Those words hit Ernest hard. He scooped Locke onto his lap, holding him close. He lowered his voice. “She never meant to leave you. Back then, she got really sick and lost you by mistake.”

“What was wrong with her?” Locke clung to his father’s shirt, his voice trembling. “What kind of sickness did she have? Was it really bad?”

“It was serious,” Ernest explained, touching his own temple. “When your mom had you, she got very ill. For a long time, she couldn’t remember anything—her mind was just empty.”

“Mom…” Locke’s tears started to fall, but he still managed to ask, “So she forgot about me? And forgot about you, too?”

Ernest nodded, sadness heavy in his voice. “She did.”

Locke went silent, and then threw his arms around his dad, crying even harder. “Poor Mom!”

Quickly, Ernest reached for tissues and began drying his son’s tears.

“Dad… Is she…” Still sobbing, Locke looked up with red eyes. “Is Mom okay now? Did she get better?”

“She’s all better,” Ernest said softly. “Now that her memory is back, she remembers you’re her son. She loves you so much, Locke.”

That made Locke’s lips tremble again, tears threatening to spill over. He could barely get his words out. “Really? You mean it?”

“Really,” Ernest promised. After a short pause, he added, “How about this? Let’s go see her together, and you can ask her anything you want.”

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Locke’s damp eyes blinked, confusion giving way to determination. He tightened his small fists and gave a quick, eager nod. “Okay!”

“That’s my boy. You’re so brave.” A soft sigh escaped Ernest. He clung to the hope that Locke’s presence might help Elissa find her will to keep going.

Inside the hospital room, two caregivers kept watch over Elissa—Laney, and another one recently brought in by Quentin.

Just as Elissa suspected, Ernest had arranged for extra staff to keep a closer eye on her.

A gentle knock broke the silence.

Elissa didn’t move. She lay there, eyes shut, ignoring everything around her.

Laney glanced at her new colleague and whispered, “Stay here with Miss Holland. I’ll see who it is.”

“Alright,” the new caregiver replied.

Laney walked to the door and opened it, standing a little straighter as she recognized the visitors. “Mr. Flynn, Locke.”

“Laney,” said Ernest in a hushed voice. “How’s she doing?”

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