No More Waiting, She Chooses Love

Jacqueline mentioned, "Ernest is so lucky to have you in his life."

I couldn't help but smile slightly, not uttering a word.

Wasn't I just as fortunate?

When Conrad betrayed me, I stumbled upon Ernest who healed and redeemed me.

"When are you guys planning on coming back?" Jacqueline inquired further.

"Not sure," I responded vaguely.

Jacqueline sighed, "Felicia, when you get back, come over for a chat, will you? I've got a lot on my mind that's just too hard to bear."

Considering her fallout with Conrad and his mother over defending me and driving Haley Perez away, I promised, "Sure, I'll come see you and Herschel once I'm back."

"Alright, just take care of yourself out there, especially in unfamiliar places," Jacqueline advised.

"Will do," I assured her, "and don't you worry too much."

With a heavy sigh from Jacqueline, the call ended, and I let out a long breath.

Ever since things went south with Conrad, conversations with Jacqueline and Herschel felt increasingly stifling.

I pocketed my phone, my gaze shifting to Ernest and his sister, Susie, who were engrossed in their conversation, Susie giggling and playfully tugging at Ernest's shirt like a carefree child.

Opting not to interrupt, I opened my messenger app to text Fanny but noticed several unread messages from Haley.

[Felicia, do you know where Rad is?]

[Felicia, did something happen to Rad? I can't reach him, can you try contacting him for me?]

[Felicia, I'm really scared.]

It dawned on me that Conrad hadn't informed her of his departure.

I had no intention of replying; after all, it was no longer my concern.

Exiting the chat, I snapped a photo to send to Fanny, but before I could, Haley's voice call came through.

Refusing to text back, she resorted to calling, assuming Conrad and I had eloped?

Amused by the thought, I answered with a scoff, "Hello?"

"Sorry to bother you this late, Felicia," Haley spoke with an air of politeness.

I wasn't in the mood for pretense, "Just get to the point."

"Did you see my messages?" she asked.

"Yes, I saw them!" I replied, acknowledging the truth.

Silence fell on her end, likely grasping why I hadn't responded.

After a brief pause, she inquired, "So, do you know where Rad has gone?"Còntens bel0ngs to Nô(v)elDr/a/ma.Org

"I don't know, and let me make it clear, he's not with me," I said, exposing her underlying suspicion.

Haley hurriedly explained, "Felicia,

don't get me wrong. I'm not

suspecting anything between

two. I'm just... just worried about him."

"What are you worried about?" I pressed.

Was she afraid Conrad had left her?

"Felicia, I'm scared something happened to Rad," Haley's voice quivered, "Do you know what he before he left? He made

arrangements for me and the kids, it felt like... like he was settling his affairs."