“Good.” Ernest nodded in return and then walked off down the hall. He headed to the orthopedic department.

Linda’s forehead was bandaged, a clean strip of gauze wrapped around her head where the wound had been treated.

When she saw Ernest enter, she clutched the sides of her head and forced a pitiful smile. “You’re here? My head… it hurts so much.”

Ernest didn’t say a word. He just stood there, his eyes locked on her. After a long pause, he finally asked, “Why did you say those things to Mr. Holland?”

Linda’s eyes welled up. She shook her head over and over. “I didn’t mean to. I didn’t do it on purpose.”

“Not on purpose?” Ernest sneered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “And yet, the fact remains. He’s gone.”

Linda blinked as if she didn’t understand. “Why is everyone coming after me? I didn’t do anything! I just said a few things, and then he… I didn’t even touch him!”

A deep crease formed between Ernest’s brows, and when he finally spoke, his tone was icy—so steady it felt almost heartless. “You might not have laid a finger on him, but your words pushed him over the edge.”

Linda could only stare in confusion, shaking her head in denial. “I didn’t do anything. This has nothing to do with me. All I did was argue with Elissa, and that’s all.”

A heavier silence fell as Ernest’s frustration grew. He drew in a breath and reminded her, “I’ve watched the security footage myself. I talked to the people who saw what happened. Elissa was begging you to stop, but you kept going. Why did you provoke an innocent old man who had nothing to do with your argument?”

“Innocent?” Linda stiffened, tears brimming but refusing to fall. She pressed her palms against her chest. “And what about me? What about my pain? Am I supposed to just accept it? Elissa destroyed everything first—”

“That’s not true!” Ernest’s voice cut through hers, sharper and colder than before. “You always knew the real story—it wasn’t her. The fault is mine.” He shook his head again, his disappointment plain as day.

A tired breath escaped him. “When did you change so much? No… that’s not it.” Ernest’s mouth curled in a bitter smile, remembering something from the past. “You never changed. Maybe you don’t remember the past anymore, but you’re still who you truly are.”

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Eric’s warnings echoed in his mind, and deep down, Ernest knew the truth. Guilt from that mess with Robin and his gratitude for what she had done to save his life had left Ernest feeling responsible for her.

Watching her grow weak and sick, he believed she’d never hurt anyone again.

He now understood how wrong he had been.

A wall of coldness rose in his expression as he delivered his verdict. “Focus on getting better.”

That left Linda frozen, completely unsure what he intended by those words. A wave of dread swept through her as the fear of being left behind took hold.

“Are you upset with me?” Linda’s grip tightened on his arm. Her voice trembled, softening as she tried to sway him. “Please, don’t be mad. I know I made mistakes. I never meant—”

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