“Elissa…” Ernest’s eyes clouded over, and he tried to explain, “It’s just…”

He wanted to say it was only temporary. But how long, exactly? He didn’t know. The words collapsed before they could leave his mouth. All that remained was hesitation and the weight of a truth he couldn’t shape.

“It’s just what? Go ahead. Say it! If you have the nerve to act, then you should have the nerve to voice it.” Elissa didn’t flinch and met his silence with scorn. “The truth is simple. We—Locke and I—have no place in the Flynn family. Isn’t that what you really mean? Why is it so hard to admit?”

Ernest said nothing. The silence spoke louder than anything else.

Elissa laughed bitterly and slowly shook her head. “I may be weak, Ernest. I can’t fight you. But don’t mistake that for ignorance. I’m not stupid. And I’ll never stoop low enough to be the other woman in your marriage.”

With that, she brushed off Ernest’s hand and climbed the stairs without looking back.

Ernest stood frozen and did not take a single step after her.

He massaged his forehead and reminded himself not to push. Rushing would only make things worse.

Still, he found some comfort in one thing: Locke had brought Elissa back into his life. That alone was enough for now. Everything else could wait.

The next morning, Hadley came by Lion Bay again to check on Elissa. “Coming.” Elissa opened the door and was greeted by Hadley’s concerned expression.

“How are things today?” Hadley asked.

“Okay.” Elissa gave a small nod. Her face wasn’t bright, but there was resolve in her eyes.

Hadley eased a little at the sight and tugged her toward the sofa. “Come on. Sit with me for a while.”

Around them, Laney and several maids moved up and down the stairs, carrying boxes and shifting furniture. She stepped over and asked, “Miss Holland, should these boxes be placed in Locke’s room?”

“Let me check…” Elissa flipped open the lid and peeked inside. “Yes. Just bring them there. I’ll sort everything out later.”

“Understood.”

Hadley blinked, caught off guard. “Locke moved in?”

“Yes.” Elissa nodded. For the first time that morning, her eyes lit up. “He came last night. Today, we’re slowly moving his things in. He went to school this morning, and he’ll come back here right after.”

Hadley listened, but words failed her.

Elissa wasn’t like her, and neither were Ernest or Eric. And that made everything different. Hadley understood now. Elissa could never really leave Ernest. Not with Locke in the picture.

Hadley sat still, uneasy with how tangled people’s emotions could become. Once, she had thought Ernest was the kindest man in the world. But she didn’t see him that way anymore.

“Don’t worry.” Elissa smiled softly at Hadley. “I won’t do anything foolish again. And I won’t stay like this forever. I’ve got plans of my own.”

“Are you up to something?” Hadley squinted, not quite understanding what Elissa meant. “What exactly is your plan?”

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