No More Waiting, She Chooses Love novel Chapter 842

As I curled up tighter on the couch, Ernest settled beside me, gently taking my hand. "Hey, feeling a little spooked?"

He hadn't really shared anything too terrifying—just some tales of negotiations he'd been part of and how the other side had tried to test him.

But it reminded me of those undercover cop movies, where the protagonist goes deep into enemy territory and has to prove their loyalty.

"Ernest," I murmured, "Can I have a hug?"

Earlier, I’d been a bit distant, so he was cautious, simply holding my hand, not daring to embrace me.

He scooted closer, and I nestled into his arms, wrapping mine around him tightly.

Ernest rubbed his chin on the top of my head, a familiar gesture that reassured me this was indeed my Ernest, not some impostor like Phipps.

My hand found its way under his shirt, roaming over his skin.

"Licia," Ernest's voice was tense, "I'm not hurt."

He knew what I was checking for, but I wanted to be sure. "Let me see."

"Really want to check?" he chuckled, his eyes filled with an unreadable emotion.

"Yes," I replied bluntly. After all, I had a little one on the way, so he wouldn't dare try anything.

"Still as headstrong as ever," Ernest teased, swiftly pulling off his shirt.

His taut muscles and perfectly defined abs greeted my eyes, momentarily knocking the purpose of my inspection right out of my head.

"Weren't you checking for injuries?" he gently prompted with a smile.

A blush crept up my cheeks. "I am," I insisted.

His body was free of new injuries, save for some old scars. It seemed he hadn't lied to me.

"Let's just keep tabs for now, and deal with everything later."

"If Fanny doesn't come back safely, or if something happens to her, Ernest, I won't be able to forgive you, no matter your reasons for taking her," I made my point clear.

He had explained that taking Fanny was necessary to leverage Sinclair's influence. And it was Sinclair's help that allowed him to return so quickly.

"I understand," Ernest murmured, kissing my forehead, his hand resting gently on my growing belly.

Fanny's call came in the middle of the night, and seeing her name on the screen jolted me awake. "Fanny."

"Did I interrupt you and my godchild's sleep?" she asked, a smile in her voice.

I breathed a sigh of relief. "This is the best kind of interruption."

"Oh, I thought with Ernest there, you'd be too cozy in your love nest to appreciate my calls," she teased.