No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Chapter 196

After finishing my last sip of oatmeal, the question that had been lingering in my mind since yesterday finally surfaced. "Those guys didn't bother you again, did they?" As I asked, my eyes instinctively scanned his hands and face for any signs of injury. Thankfully, there were none.

"No," Ernest seemed to catch the drift of my concern, "Even if they did, they're no match for me."

Such confidence!

I then probed him about something more serious, "Have you found anything about your dad's car accident? Who's trying to intimidate you by pinning it on someone?"

Ernest looked at me, "They're afraid I'll dig up something about my father's boss' death."

Ernest was being cryptic, only revealing bits and pieces, so I had to press on, "Was your dad's boss some big shot? Does his death affect anyone's interests?"

"People die, and after over a decade, those interests don't matter anymore. They're afraid of the kid my dad's boss left behind holding a grudge," Ernest's words unexpectedly tightened my throat.

"Your dad's boss had a child? Have you met them? Do they know you're investigating?" I bombarded him with questions.

Ernest averted his gaze, "She doesn't know yet."

I wasn't sure what to say next, but after a moment, I asked, "Are you going to continue with the investigation?"

"Of course," Ernest didn't hesitate.

"But... you're putting yourself in danger. Those guys from yesterday clearly have powerful backing," I shared my concern.

A fearless resolve flashed in Ernest's eyes as he met my gaze, "What, worried about me?"

His question carried a hint of ambiguity, but I nodded, cautioning him, "Ernest, whether it's your father or his boss, they're gone. Uncovering the truth won't bring them back, and it's not worth risking your safety."Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

Ernest's gaze deepened. "Is that what you think?"

"People should look forward, not dwell on the past," I echoed the advice my dad used to give my mom, something I've always remembered. "Okay, I understand." Ernest continued eating.

Not knowing what else to say and

feeling it inappropriate to just leave, I watched Ernest finish off the meal throwing him a compliment to lighten the mood, "Did you pick up your cooking skills in the military? You weren't in the kitchen patrol, were you?"

Of course, he wasn't. He had told me he was in Special Forces.

"My sister has been frail since she was a kid, a picky eater. That's how I learned," Ernest's revelation caught me off guard.

"You have a sister?"

"Yeah, my own sister," he clarified, as if worried I might misunderstand.

I pursed my lips, "You never mentioned her."

Ernest paused in his eating, glancing at me briefly, "I haven't had the chance..."

"How old is she now? About my age? Is she in school or working?" My curiosity got the better of me.

Ernest remained silent, his grip on his fork tightening, "...She's not well."

Suddenly, I felt like I had stepped on a landmine, unsure of what to say next.

"Congenital heart disease," Ernest elaborated.

Following his lead, I said, "That's treatable, a heart transplant could work."

Ernest fell silent again, and I realized the gravity of the situation, blurting out, "Ernest, are you out of money?"

A heart transplant was a major

surgery requiring a substantial amount of money, not to mention the annual follow-ups. With Ernest and his sister having lost their father, and with no word on their mother's situation, Ernest's current income likely wasn't enough for his sister's surgery.

He looked at me, his gaze unsettling. Worried he might misunderstand quickly added, "If that's the case, i can lend you some money. I have some saved up."

"I'm afraid I can't pay you back," Ernest's response was swift.

Convinced of his financial plight and eager to help, I smiled, "If you can't pay back, I'll just have to take you as payment."