“Mrs. Brown,” Ernest’s expression became a tempest of barely contained frustration. He attempted to clarify, “I genuinely love Elissa.”

He turned toward Elissa, his features grave with sincerity. “Mrs. Brown, I swear to you, I will cherish Elissa completely. I will treasure her as though she were the most valuable thing in existence…”

“Enough!” Savannah cut him off with a bitter laugh. “We require none of that!”

She arched one eyebrow with scorn. Treasure her like the most valuable thing in existence? Was that meant to be appealing? “I believe you should master basic human respect first. Elissa has stated her position with perfect clarity—she refuses to remain with you!”

Savannah dismissed any further conversation with Ernest.

She grasped Elissa’s hand firmly. “Elissa, everything’s alright. Let’s leave!”

“Yes,” Elissa agreed with a compliant nod.

With her mother serving as her protector, Elissa simply needed to trust her guidance.

They pivoted and walked purposefully toward the gym’s exit.

Ernest remained motionless, his gaze fixed on Elissa’s diminishing silhouette as she moved further away.

Light illuminated half his face while shadows consumed the other half. Without warning, he lunged forward desperately. “Elissa!”

He stretched his arms wide and seized her from behind, crushing her against his chest in a desperate embrace.

The violence of his action sent Savannah stumbling sideways, shock paralyzing her momentarily.

“Ernest!” Savannah screamed in panic, her voice quaking with outrage.

“Elissa,” Ernest completely disregarded Savannah, clinging to Elissa as though his very survival hung in the balance. His lips grazed her ear, his deep voice trembling with raw emotion. “Don’t leave… Please, don’t abandon me! Remain here. I need you desperately… Locke needs his mother as well!”

Elissa found herself trapped against his chest, acutely aware of the violent shaking that wracked his frame.

? — : ?﹒

The moment Locke’s name reached her ears, her heart contracted with excruciating pain.

Nevertheless, she sank her teeth into her lower lip and shook her head firmly. “The moment has passed. We are… finished.”

“Elissa, please. I’m pleading with you!” Ernest was completely lost, with no understanding of how he might alter Elissa’s resolve. “Tell me what actions I must take to convince you to remain here.”

Ernest’s voice splintered under the weight of his desperation, which hung thick in the air around them.

“I will sacrifice anything. Simply remain in Srixby. I vow never to coerce you again. Just stay here for Locke’s benefit. Can you truly abandon him? If you flee to some distant place like Ontmond, who can predict when you might see him again?”

Elissa squeezed her eyes shut, her heart writhing in torment.

.

.

.