No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

I flipped through the pages again, this time with meticulous care, not wanting to miss a single detail.

The entry was dated right before he went back to his country, reading, "Over fourteen hundred days and nights have passed. It's time to return." Fourteen hundred days, precisely four years.

Continuing my search, I abruptly stumbled upon an entry that made my heart skip a beat: "She finally isn't his anymore."

The date was the very day I was supposed to get my marriage license with Conrad Wagner.

That day, I discovered Haley had moved into the house I shared with Conrad. That day, I stood him up, effectively ending our paths together.

The revelation sent shivers down my spine. Taking a deep breath, I prepared to delve deeper, but the sound of a car engine outside halted my exploration. I had to put the diary away for now and head downstairs.

Yolande opened the door for Ernest, who was intimidating one of the men with a pointed toe under his chin, "Spill it now, or lose your chance to ever speak again."

His intensity was like nothing I'd ever seen-scary, but I couldn't look away.

Despite their lack of skill, the men were stubbornly silent.

Then, with a swift lift of his foot, Ernest caused a chilling snap, eliciting a pained groan from the man now sprawled on the ground, his face ashen.

"They're from the Browns, no doubt. Felicia mentioned it earlier," Yolande remarked, turning back to us.

Ernest and she then looked at me. I stepped outside, uttering only, "I want to go back home."

Ernest's jaw tightened, "Okay, I'll arrange for someone to escort you."

"I'll do it. Looks like I'm free now, and I can take your sister back with us too," Yolande offered naturally.

Ernest's gaze shifted to me, not immediately agreeing with her.

"I can manage on my own," I stated defiantly.

The next second, Ernest spoke, addressing Yolande, "Fine, you'll escort her."

I was speechless.

"Felicia, what did Brown say when he called you?" Yolande suddenly asked.

Recalling Brown's words sent a chill down my spine. Ernest seemed

guessene

tae

thoughts, "Don't worry

about what he said."

"Leaving now might put Conrad in danger if Brown is after Felicia," Yolande insightfully pointed out.

The memory of Conrad being beaten over the phone crossed my mind, "Aren't you going to rescue him?" Yolande looked at me intently, "Conrad's just bait. He's trying to trap us all."

"I'll handle this. Go book the tickets now," Ernest told Yolande.

With a pout, Yolande agreed, pulling out her phone. Then she asked me,

"Felicia, what's your social securitie

number?"

"I'll book my own ticket!" I turned and stormed off.

Behind me, Yolande muttered, "We could get seats together if we book at the same time."

But I didn't want to sit next to her.

"I know," Ernest said, taking over and reciting my social security number.

My heart clenched. It was a series of eighteen numbers, completely different from his in every way. Yet, he remembered it so clearly...

Recalling Yolande's earlier comment

about Ernest having his reasons, stopped in my tracks and turned to him, Ernest, what is the real reason we split up?"