“No need.” Elissa pulled away from his touch. “Hadley, let’s go.”

“Okay.” Hadley gave Ernest an apologetic look before walking ahead with Elissa.

Behind them, Eric glanced at Ernest with sympathy. “Ernest, are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” Ernest muttered, his lips barely moving. “Let’s go. We don’t want to delay the service.”

The guests had already gathered. Everything was in place, waiting for Elissa.

At last, Hadley let go of Elissa’s arm and leaned in. “Will you be alright on your own?”

Elissa was expected to join her family, and Hadley couldn’t go with her.

“Mm…” Elissa murmured in agreement.

“Don’t worry.” Ernest stepped forward and took her arm. “I’ll go with her.”

“You?” Elissa stared at him, her eyes wide with disbelief. “Why?”

She was genuinely confused—what made him think he had the right?

“Elissa…” Ernest’s brow furrowed. He leaned in slightly and lowered his voice. “You’re too weak to be on your own—”

“I’m asking you. Why, huh?” Elissa snapped, her tone laced with mockery. “What makes you think you belong there? What gives you the right to stand beside me as part of my family? Because we’re not family, are we?”

Ernest didn’t speak. His jaw clenched, and his lips pressed into a tight line. After a brief pause, he leaned closer and said quietly, “We may not be officially married, but we’ve lived as if we are. Addy knew that—”

At those words, Elissa snorted derisively. “Yes, he knew! He knew I was just your kept woman!”

“Elissa…”

“Elissa!” Becker’s voice rang out. He stepped forward and shot her a sharp look. “What kind of attitude is that? Mr. Flynn arranged the entire funeral. He’s been running himself ragged to make sure everything goes right. And you’re saying he doesn’t have the right to stand by you?”

“Not only that…” He gave a quick glance around, then leaned closer to Elissa. “Can’t you see how many influential people from Srixby are here? Please, don’t cause a scene. We can’t afford to humiliate Mr. Flynn in front of all these guests.”

? ? at ν

He straightened up, turned to Ernest, and forced a cordial smile. “Mr. Flynn, Elissa was raised by her grandfather. She’s deeply emotional right now. Please don’t take her words to heart. Come this way, please…”

He motioned toward the rest of the Holland family, expecting Ernest to join them.

But before Ernest could move, Elissa grabbed his arm. Her grip was tight, fingers digging hard into his wrist. Through gritted teeth, she said, “I said no!”

Becker’s face darkened with disapproval. “Elissa, stop making a scene!”

By now, the crowd had begun turning their heads, casting bewildered glances in their direction.

“Mr. Flynn’s fiancée certainly has quite the temper.”

“Are they fighting here?”

“Regardless of their issues, this isn’t the place for such drama.”

“They aren’t even married yet, but Mr. Flynn shows tremendous respect to the Holland family by standing by her side the entire time. The Holland family should feel truly honored by such a gesture, shouldn’t they?”

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