Desperation drove her to attempt a different strategy. “Consider Linda’s feelings! She’s the woman who has held your heart for more than a decade! Your wedding is approaching! How can you justify such cruelty toward her? Maintaining me as your mistress?”
Ernest fell silent for a beat before delivering the identical response. “That remains my concern alone.”
“Ernest!” Elissa’s head pounded with exhaustion and fury as she fixed him with an icy stare. “You’re nothing but a monster! An absolute bastard!”
“I’m fully aware of what I am.” Ernest’s arms encircled her shoulders, drawing her against his chest despite her resistance.
His voice adopted an unnervingly tender tone as he acknowledged her accusations. “Please, continue. Curse me with every harsh word you can summon if it brings you any relief. But understand this—I will never release you… not ever.”
“Hadley.”
“Ernest.”
The moment Ernest stepped through the doorway, Hadley rose from the bench. “How is Elissa holding up?”
“Her condition has stabilized for the moment.” His response came measured and controlled. “However, she must dedicate herself entirely to rest and recovery. I’d like to arrange for Locke to stay at your place with Joy.”
“Of course.” Hadley’s agreement came without hesitation.
“I’m grateful.” Ernest’s appreciation was genuine as he added a crucial warning. “Please don’t inform Locke about Elissa’s hospitalization yet. Knowledge of her condition would make it impossible to restrain him—he’d demand to see her immediately.”
Considering Elissa’s fragile state, managing an anxious child’s needs would prove far too overwhelming.
“Completely understood.” Hadley’s response demonstrated her grasp of the delicate situation. “I’ll explain to him that Elissa has traveled out of town on business matters and won’t return to Srixby for some time.”
? ? .
“Perfect.” Ernest’s nod conveyed his approval of the plan.
“Mr. Flynn!” Quentin’s voice cut through the corridor as he approached rapidly. Drawing closer, his eyes flickered toward Hadley before obvious reluctance stilled his tongue.
Reading the situation immediately, Hadley gestured toward the closed door.
“I should go sit with Elissa for a while.”
She pressed the handle down and slipped quietly into the room.
“Elissa.” Hadley’s smile felt strained as she spoke the greeting.
Once Hadley had settled into the bedside chair, Elissa’s mouth twisted into a bitter approximation of a smile. “My plan failed. He still refuses to release me.”
A moment later, she inquired, “Has he gone?”
After a brief hesitation, Hadley confirmed with a nod.
Quentin’s arrival had coincided perfectly with Hadley’s entrance.
The two men were undoubtedly conferring about Linda’s current state. Ernest had already spent far too much time at the hospital—duty now called him to Linda’s side.
.
.
.