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

entering the lobby, I ran straight

all made up, looking much

must still be in the

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, mine. This was to prevent any rekindling

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

a favor and keep your mouth shut,"

to enter the elevator, she said, "Felicia,

and looked at her. Haley smiled. "Maybe we

had first threatened

by using

and now to collaborate. I could

figure out her angle.

WY

one thing was clear: she couldn't let go

as for me, she had nothing to gain. Yet she still approached me, meaning

time," I flatly

the elevator door with her leg. "Felicia, you'll

pressed the

until the