No More Waiting, She Chooses Love novel Chapter 48

I had stayed there for several days and hadn't seen Ethel’s kids come by to visit her. I didn't pry into it. It seemed Ethel treated me and Ernest like her own children.

One evening, while getting ready to sleep, I got a call from Fanny, asking when I planned to return.

"I haven't decided yet," I told her. "I'm genuinely happy in this little neighborhood. It's been the happiest days since my parents passed away."

I even considered extending my vacation until I got tired of being there.

"Are you sure it's not because you can't bear to leave Ernest?" Fanny teased.

Thinking of the few but heart-fluttering encounters with Ernest, I admitted, "It's not about not being able to leave, but my heart feels alive when he's around."

"Looks like our Ms. Hudson has quite the healing touch," Fanny joked.

I didn't respond, and after a few seconds of silence, Fanny continued, "Has that jerk Conrad not tried to contact you? Not even a text?"

I licked my lips. "No."

Fanny snorted, "He thinks you can't live without him."

I knew it deep down. Looking at the moonlight, I whispered, "Let's show Conrad this time."

I fell asleep talking to Fanny. It was still dark when I woke up again, and the call had ended. Fanny had left me a message. [No one is irreplaceable.]

Yes, I could live without Conrad. These past few days were proof enough. I was eating well and sleeping soundly.

I stood there, dazed, before walking toward his room.

Unexpectedly, he left the door unlocked. Pushing it open, I switched on the light and saw his room. It was both exactly and nothing like I had imagined.

The bedding was neatly folded, and everything in the room was in order. But what made it different was the many decades-old items scattered around. Remembering what my dad had mentioned, I realized those must be the belongings my parents left behind.

Ethel found me there, seeming to understand my thoughts without me having to speak. "These are your parents' things. When we fixed up the room you're staying in, I wanted to replace them with new stuff, but Ernest insisted on keeping them and said they were perfectly fine."

Touching those things, I felt a mix of happy and sad. Because of these belongings, I felt an even stronger urge to stay, even if Ernest was gone.

But then, I received a voice message from Deborah, almost in tears. [Felicia, there's a big trouble with the lights at the amusement park. We need you back.]