When he arrived home, Elissa sat in the sunroom’s rocking chair with a thin blanket draped across her lap. Her eyes remained closed as if she were sleeping, but he knew her well enough to recognize the truth—she simply refused to engage with him in any way.
“Elissa.” Ernest approached her with careful, measured steps, settling into the chair beside her. He noted that her complexion appeared marginally improved after the IV treatment.
He struggled to find appropriate words. As he had anticipated, Elissa offered no response whatsoever.
Without warning, the doorbell chimed, its sound reverberating through the quiet house.
Elissa’s eyes flew open instantly, and she jerked her head toward the entrance. She gripped the edge of the blanket with sudden intensity, threw it aside with determination, and rose to her feet, striding rapidly toward the front door.
Elissa wobbled slightly as she pushed herself upright, her energy drained from exhaustion.
“Easy there!” Ernest caught her before she could stumble. “What’s the hurry? Where do you think you’re going?”
The sound of the doorbell had prompted her to stand so suddenly. Was it possible—
“Are you expecting Hadley? Is she coming over?” Ernest tried to guess her intentions.
Elissa didn’t acknowledge him, pulling her arm away and hurrying toward the entryway without a word.
“Mr. Flynn, Miss Holland,” the housekeeper appeared and addressed them. “There’s a woman outside. She says her name is Brown and would like to see Miss Holland. Do you know her?”
“Yes!” Without missing a beat, Elissa replied, “That’s her. Where is she? Please, let her in.”
Almost immediately, she hesitated and shook her head. “No, I’ll go to her myself—”
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Before she could take another step, Ernest reached out and held her back.
Elissa’s patience snapped. “What are you doing? Let go of me!”
He wondered if she was really going to make a scene over this.
Frustration welled up inside Ernest, but he forced himself to stay calm. “Are you even aware of your health? What if you trip?”
“That’s not your concern!” Elissa glared at him, her voice cold.
“Not my concern?” Ernest’s brow furrowed, genuine disbelief in his tone. “Then whose concern is it, if not mine?”
Elissa decided she had no interest in fighting with him.
“It’s mine!”
Before Elissa could take another step toward the door, someone stepped into the foyer. A woman’s voice rang out, steady and distinct, with a touch of huskiness that lent it an air of authority.
The woman was tall, with a refined, commanding presence that hinted at a life well-lived. Her slender figure remained graceful despite her age. Now that she was closer, it was obvious—her facial features bore a striking resemblance to Elissa’s.
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