Chapter 3022:

Her voice was calm as she said, “Elissa, your father and I have talked it over. This time, I’m taking you back to the city with me.”

At those words, Elissa’s head lifted sharply.

Back to the city?

Reading the worry in her eyes, Savannah immediately understood.

Since arriving in Ontmond, Elissa had gone from hospital walls to the stillness of this place. Most of her days were spent in quiet company, always near Savannah, hardly ever around anyone else.

𝗠os𝘵 r𝗲а𝘥 𝗍his 𝗐𝖾e𝘬 𝗈𝗇 𝘨𝘢𝗅𝗇𝘰𝘃𝘦𝗅𝘀.𝘤𝗼𝗆

Returning to the city meant returning to Neville’s home.

Neville was her stepfather, patient and kind, yet to her, he felt like someone distant—a familiar face turned strange.

What Elissa needed most was time to grow comfortable with new faces and places.

“Don’t worry,” Savannah said gently, her tone as warm as the afternoon light. “You’ll be with family again soon. Your dad, me, and your little brother will all be there with you.”

“But…” Elissa’s voice wavered as she bit her lip. “I’m sick.”

Those words struck deep, and Savannah’s heart tightened with quiet pain.

Unease lingered in Elissa’s chest as the thought of troubling others weighed on her mind.

“You’re getting stronger now.” Savannah’s hand moved tenderly through her daughter’s hair, her smile gentle and patient. “The only reason we didn’t bring you home sooner was that we thought it might be too much for you to adjust right away. But look at you now—you’ve been so good with the caretakers. At home, your dad and brother will make things even easier for you. So, will you come back with me?”

Elissa hesitated, her brow furrowing as uncertainty flickered across her face. “Alright,” she muttered, though her voice carried a hint of fear for what lay ahead.

“You’re so brave.”

Pleased with her answer, Savannah turned to the servants and told them to begin gathering their things.

Almost everything in the room belonged to Elissa and had to be packed carefully.

The city home had every comfort imaginable, yet Savannah knew Elissa’s heart clung to the familiar—the scent, the feel, the memories of the things around her.

That evening found Ernest confined to the hospital room. The IV drip worked its slow magic through the night until his fever broke, leaving his throat far less raw than before.

By morning, after a few hours of quiet rest, he was already out of bed, buttoning his shirt when the bodyguard entered.

“Mr. Flynn,” the man said, startled to see him moving around. “You’re supposed to continue your IV treatment later.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Ernest replied, shaking his head.

His strength had returned, and he felt ready to leave.

He couldn’t stay here any longer.

“Mr. Flynn,” the bodyguard said carefully, sensing his intention. “There’s no need for you to go back to the manor.”

Ernest stopped halfway, turning toward him. “Why not?”

“Well…” the bodyguard said. “Miss Holland left for the city with her mother earlier today.”

That quickly?

A flicker of stillness crossed Ernest’s face; his thoughts momentarily halted.

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