Chapter 323


    I froze, staring at him in disbelief.


    Ernest''s dad was a truck driver, and if there was an issue with the brakes, that was on him.


    For a moment, neither of us spoke, just looking at each other.


    Then, Ernest, his hand on my shoulder gave a gentle squeeze. "My dad was a truck driver. If there was a brake failure, whether it was sabotage or a mechanical fault, he was responsible."


    A chill ran down my spine, a cold not brought on by the weather, but by the heavy weight of emotion.


    If things hadn''t gotten so serious with Ernest, holding his father ountable would have been a lot simpler. But now, as we stood closer than ever, the thought of his dad being at fault in the ident left me at a loss.


    "Felicia, you know I''ve been digging into my dad''s death. This is all connected. Once I uncover the truth, I promise, I''ll exin everything," Ernest''s words were earnest, hismitment clear despite the personal connections.


    I believed in his integrity; he was a man of his word. But I couldn''t help wondering what kind of resolution he could offer if his dad was indeed involved.


    This turn of events was both unexpected and unsettling.


    Still, even though I had feelings for Ernest, I couldn''t avoid digging into the truth about our parents'' ident.


    Ernest had vowed to investigate, even suspecting Lord rk, who had already shared his side of the story with me.


    My thoughts were a whirlwind.


    Sensing my turmoil, Ernest''s hand moved to the back of my neck, gently steadying me. "Licia, let''s not jump to conclusions. Maybe it''s not as bad as we think."


    He too understood the devastating impact certain truths could have on us.


    My trembling worsened, a sense of instability washing over me, prompting me to seek refuge in his embrace.


    Without a word, my heart screamed for the revtions not to shatter the trust and dependency I had ced in Ernest.


    He held me until I found my calm, then escorted me back home.


    Susie had returned before us, her face


    ting up at our arrival. "Heet


    you two! I made some pudding.


    Come and try it!"


    Ernest looked at me, "Let''s give it a taste. Susie''s really outdone herself this time."


    "I may have borrowed the recipe from my brother and added my own twist," Susie boasted with pride.


    Cooking was Ernest''s forte, and Susie was no slouch either, necessity having honed her skills.


    I sat down enjoying the pudding.


    Ernest joined me, though we both


    ate in silence, leaving Susie tothet


    the


    air with chatter.


    Soon, Susie excused herself, her


    voice trailing off as she stepped


    outside, only to call Ernest for


    momentter.


    a


    I continued with my pudding, overhearing their muffled conversation.


    "Did you guys fight? Felicia seems really upset," Susie''s concern was palpable.


    "No, she''s just tired," Ernest reassured her.


    "Really? You''re not hiding anything?"N?vel/Dr(a)ma.Org - Content owner.


    "No."


    "Ernest, Felicia''s amazing. Don''t let her be unhappy, and don''t you be too," Susie sighed.


    Ernest chuckled softly, "Don''t worry, I won''t."


    "The thought of you two being unhappy makes me anxious," Susie confessed, making me pause mid-sip.


    I had forgotten how our moods could affect those around us.