That evening, Hadley received a call from Ernest. She answered immediately.

“Hello? Ernest.”

“Hadley.” His voice came through, low and composed, with little emotion. “Finally… I get to hear your voice again.”

“Ernest…” A trace of guilt colored her tone. “I’m sorry.”

For the past five months, she had been constantly on the move, filming at various locations, caught in an endless whirlwind of work. Whatever spare time she had, she gave to Joy. And as a result, she hadn’t kept in touch.

“No need to apologize,” Ernest said quietly. He, too, had been drowning in responsibilities.

Then, he asked, “Kira told me you mentioned me. I’m going to visit Grandma tomorrow for lunch. If you’re free, would you like to join us?”

“Of course.” Hadley didn’t even hesitate.

“Then it’s settled.”

The next day, Hadley arrived at the sanatorium. Ernest was already there, waiting in the sitting room.

“Ernest.”

“Hadley.” He lifted a hand in greeting. “Come sit with me. Grandma’s still asleep—we’ll wait a while.”

“Alright.” Hadley sat beside him. The caregiver brought them each a glass of water.

Ernest, usually quiet and reserved, was the first to break the silence. “Hadley, I need to talk to you about something.”

“Okay.” She sat up, setting her glass down. “I’m listening.”

“It’s about Elissa…” he whispered.

The moment he said her name, his eyes dimmed, and his voice turned hoarse. In the five months since she vanished, his world had been nothing but emptiness. Describing it as a state of utter despair and lifelessness wouldn’t be an exaggeration.

He had withdrawn from everything and everyone else—including Eric and Hadley, especially after their breakup.

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After a pause, he continued, “To this day, I still don’t believe what the police found was Elissa.”

“Ernest…” Hadley’s heart skipped a beat, her brows knitting together.

“Let me finish,” he said, raising his hand gently. “This isn’t just emotion talking. I have evidence.”

Hearing that, Hadley was shocked—she had never expected him to actually have proof. Her voice came quickly. “What kind of evidence? When did you get it? What happened?”

“It was the day before the cremation,” Ernest replied.

Hadley remembered that day—and suddenly, everything made sense. Ernest had seen her message. He had done something. “And then?” she pressed.

Ernest continued, “Do you remember the police said the body was torn by the currents and submerged reefs, and then pieced together when they retrieved the body parts?”

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