No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

On the ride back, I dialed Ernest's number.

This time, he picked up quickly. "Hello?"

"Where are you?" I cut straight to the chase.

There was a brief silence on the other end. Then he asked, "You're back?"

His few words choked me up. I had returned, but only because he pushed me to it.

"Yes, where are you? I need to see you," I said firmly, my tone laced with anger.

"Come home, I'll come to you," Ernest's response made me close my eyes in frustration.

The next second, I spelled it out, "Ernest, are you not getting my point? I said, I-want-to-see-you."

"I'm at home, and Susie's here too," Ernest replied, but his last few words made it clear he didn't want me there, not wanting Susie to witness any conflict between us. Not to mention Susie's fragile health, which couldn't handle any shocks, her being around just made it tough for me to chat with Ernest.

I didn't push further. "Fine, I'll wait at home."

Hanging up, I looked out the car window, watching the landscape flash by.

out of the car, I headed

lobby, I ran straight into Haley

looking much better than she did in

her premature baby must still be in the incubator. I wondered if she

glanced at my luggage and sneered, "Felicia Hudson, I thought you were above it all. Yet here you are, stringing Ernest along while still tangled up with Conrad." Clearly, she hadn't given up on Conrad, knowing his whereabouts and, unsurprisingly,

her interest in Conrad wasn't just for manipulation; she actually did have

and keep your mouth shut," I warned her. She wisely chose not to

to enter the elevator, she said,

at her. Haley smiled. "Maybe

had first threatened

by using

Fanny Willis, and now to collaborate.

figure out her angle.

WY

thing was clear: she couldn't let

to gain. Yet she still approached me, meaning she hadn't given up on

discussion, no time," I flatly

leg. "Felicia, you'll

puzzled me, but I pressed the button to close the elevator

watched me until the