During the past two days of staying in the Flynn Mansion, she and Ernest had barely spoken to each other. They moved through the house like strangers sharing the same space.
Yet the mention of Locke’s custody proved impossible to resist.
She pushed open the door to the sunroom to find Ernest standing there, his posture straight and expectant. “Elissa, there you are.”
She approached him directly, lifting her chin to meet his eyes. Without hesitation, she demanded, “What about Locke’s custody?”
He had expected exactly this response—swift, desperate, and relentless. A shadow of disappointment passed over his features, though Ernest recognized he held all the cards in this negotiation.
“What I mean is…” He dropped his gaze to hers, preparing to reveal the decision he had reached. “I’m prepared to grant you custody of Locke. You can take Locke with you…”
His gaze shifted momentarily to her abdomen, still showing no signs of her pregnancy. “And this baby you’re carrying—regardless of whether it’s a boy or girl—once born, you’ll have custody of them as well. I won’t challenge you for custody.”
“What?” Elissa watched his lips form the words, completely stunned by what she heard. Had she understood him correctly? Was he truly willing to surrender custody?
Ernest caught the disbelief in her expression and managed a thin smile. “You heard correctly. Our children will live with you, and I’ll provide financial support as scheduled.”
“Why?” The question escaped Elissa’s lips as his words finally sank in. Could it possibly be this straightforward? Would Ernest simply release his hold on them?
Something told her his offer came with hidden complications. “I assume you have conditions attached to this custody arrangement?”
“Naturally.” Ernest nodded. Of course, there were strings attached.
His intense gaze fixed on her with burning determination. “I’ll surrender custody, provided you remain in Srixby.”
She should have seen this coming.
Elissa’s eyes flew wide with shock. “So this is your real game?” Her voice shook with fury and disbelief. “You’re still using our children as weapons against me?”
Ernest refused to view his proposal as a threat. Yet if Elissa called it threatening, perhaps that was exactly what it was. In his mind, no other options remained available to him.
Ernest studied her face and released a quiet, bitter laugh. “These are my children as well. You couldn’t stand losing them, and neither could I.”
He pressed on. “You’ll have legal custody, and they’ll make their home with you. But as their father, I require visitation privileges. Surely that’s a fair demand?”
Elissa opened her mouth to protest, but the words refused to come.
“Simply consider it, all right?” Ernest slipped one hand into his pocket. “You may not want me, but Locke will forever remain precious to you.”
How could she possibly make such a choice? Elissa recognized Ernest’s strategy for keeping her trapped in Srixby—a calculated compromise designed to serve his ultimate purpose.
.
.
.