No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 48



I had stayed there for several days and hadn't seen Ethel's kids come by to visit her. I didn't pry into it. It seemed Ethel treated me and Ernest like her own children.

One evening, while getting ready to sleep, I got a call from Fanny, asking when I planned to return.

"I haven't decided yet," I told her. "I'm genuinely happy in this little neighborhood. It's been the happiest days since my parents passed away."

I even considered extending my vacation until I got tired of being there.

"Are you sure it's not because you can't bear to leave Ernest?" Fanny teased.

Thinking of the few but heart-fluttering encounters with Ernest, I admitted, "It's not about not being able to leave, but my heart feels alive when he's around."

like our Ms. Hudson has quite the healing touch," Fanny

of silence, Fanny continued, "Has that jerk Conrad not tried to contact

licked my lips.

"He thinks you

down. Looking at the moonlight, I whispered, "Let's show Conrad this

to Fanny. It was still dark when I woke up again, and the call had ended. Fanny had left me a message. [No one is irreplaceable.] Yes, I could live without Conrad. These past few days were proof enough.

just cracking a small smile and about to drift back to sleep when my phone buzzed with a new message, Who could be messaging me at this hour? Dopened my eyes again, and to my surprise, it was from

but I could feel the anger in them. Had Conrad only remembered me today after all

my phone. But sleep had eluded me, so I got out of bed, opened the door, and walked to the backyard, stopping under the oak tree. That

Ernest stepping out with a backpack slung

the

going?" I

of town," he answered without stopping, and soon, he

there, dazed, before walking