No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Uh, what?!

That's a new one on me.

I've never heard Ernest mention it before.

Thinking back, in the months I've been with him, aside from mentioning Susie, he hardly ever talks about his family or his past.

I thought maybe he was ashamed, feeling his family background wasn't up to snuff. So, to avoid hurting his pride, I never poked around. But now, realizing his true identity, his silence might have been him being cautious around me.

Just the thought tightens a knot in my chest.

"Lost? Kidnapped or something?" I joked.

"Worse than kidnapped, it seems. But my folks clammed up about it," Susie's revelation took me aback.

And now I'm puzzled, "Kidnapped? But Ernest wasn't exactly a kid back then, how did he get kidnapped?"

"I've no clue. My parents kept it hush-hush, and I only caught snippets. After they found him, they sent him off to the army," Susie said, shaking her head, "You have no idea how much I cried when Ernest left for the military."

I knew Ernest had served, but I didn't know the circumstances.

Maybe his parents wanted him to toughen up, to fend for himself if he ever faced danger again.

"Hasn't he ever mentioned any of this to you?" Susie suddenly asked, realization dawning on her.

gave a wry smile and said, "Nope. So how could he possibly love me? Loving someone means sharing everything with them, doesn't it?"

Susie, crushing hard on Mack, would understand what I meant. Sure enough, she didn't argue but added, "Ernest's always been a closed book. Even at home, he'd hardly say a word all year."

I didn't burst her bubble, just offered a smile.

Susie had her ticket already. Whatever her reasons, it wasn't my place to comment. Out of concern, I ever asked the flight attendant to switch our seats.

She gets airsick and fell asleep not long after takeoff, leaving me to mull over what she said. Was Ernest's kidnapping the real reason his dad went after mine, not money? RêAd lat𝙚St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only

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I wanted to ask Susie more about when Ernest was kidnapped but didn't want to disturb her frowning even in her sleep.

Landing in Houston in the evening, no one was there to pick us up this time.

We cabbed to the hotel. Susie was feeling terrible, even struggling to keep her eyes open in the car.

Seeing her like this, I grew concerned, "Let's get you checked out at a hospital, okay?"

"No need, I'll be fine," she insisted, clinging to my arm and resting her head on my shoulder, "Just need to lie down at the hotel." Despite her protests, I insisted we head to a hospital for a heart check-up. Right then, Ernest's call came through on Susie's phone.

She was getting checked, leaving her phone with me.

I didn't pick up, and he called again, then tried my phone, clearly monitoring my whereabouts.

A wave of annoyance washed over me, and I cut the call. But he dialed again immediately, probably worried about not reaching Susie. Was he indirectly making me Susie's caretaker?

I answered, snapping before he could speak, "Ernest, who gave you the right, to track me? What's this about making me accompany your sister? Am I supposed to be her free nanny? Why should I?"

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He stayed silent on the other end for a few seconds before asking in a low voice, "Where's Susie? Why isn't she answering?"

His response left me feeling like I was punching a pillow, frustration with no real target. I didn't bother replying.