Savannah hadn’t told anyone where they were. But Quentin had managed to track them down.

Now, Ernest stood outside their hotel room, pressing the doorbell.

“Who is it?” Savannah called out from inside. She stood just behind the door, peering through the peephole. It was Ernest.

“Mrs. Brown, it’s me. I just want to—”

“Leave.” Savannah cut him off, her voice sharp. “I won’t let you see Elissa again. Just go. If you don’t, I’ll call security!”

He might be powerful, but even someone like him couldn’t force his way in. The hotel wouldn’t allow it.

Ernest stayed where he was. After a moment, he nodded. “Alright. I’m leaving… Take care, Mrs. Brown.”

He turned and walked away.

Quentin followed behind, thinking to himself, “Mr. Flynn’s not getting through this time…”

The hotel was under the Flynn family’s name. If Ernest really wanted to push his way in, no one could stop him. But Savannah was Elissa’s mother—and maybe, just maybe, still his future mother-in-law. Quentin sighed. At this point, that future didn’t look too likely.

Outside the hotel, Ernest stood for a while, turning something over in his mind. Then he pulled out his phone and called Hadley.

“Hello?” Hadley answered right away. “Ernest?”

“It’s me.” His voice was quiet, worn. “Hadley, I need a favor. Could you check on Elissa for me?”

Hadley paused as she listened, then nodded even though he couldn’t see her. “Don’t worry, Ernest. I’ll visit her tomorrow and call you after.”

“Thank you… I really appreciate it.”

“Don’t mention it.” A quiet guilt tugged at her. She had once turned her back on him and helped Elissa escape from him, after all. She had her reasons—but still, the weight of that decision lingered.

G a lno v els .com is packed with thrilling adventures

Ernest wasn’t perfect. No one was. But when it came to family—he had always been devoted.

Even so, as long as Elissa was involved, nothing about this situation would ever be simple.

The next day, Hadley made her way to the hotel to visit Elissa. When the door opened, it was Savannah who greeted her.

“You are—”

“Mrs. Brown, hello—”

“Oh, I see.” Before Hadley could finish, Savannah gave a knowing smile. “You’re Miss Pearson, aren’t you?” She tapped lightly near her ear. “I recognized your voice. We spoke on the phone once, remember?”

Hadley smiled. “Yes, that’s me. But please, just call me Hadley. No need for formalities.”

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