No More Waiting, She Chooses Love
Chapter 718

asked him, "Is this Dustin's doing?"

Two cars brushed against each other before colliding, a dramatic scene you'd expect only to see on TV, but there I was, experiencing it firsthand. Fear? Absolutely. But with Phipps, the man I trusted, by my side, fear didn't turn into panic. Clutching the seatbelt tightly, I

"Not sure, but it seems more like a test," he replied, making it clear to me.

They were trying to determine if he was Ernest.

"What do we do now?" I had no idea what he was thinking.

"Just sit tight. Don't worry about what happens next," he reassured me.

How could I not worry, especially after sensing something off in his tone, "What are you planning?"

"I'm going to make them give up on that notion," Phipps declared, adding, "Brace yourself."

As soon as he said that, the car jolted violently, shaking me to my core, but it came to a stop. Phipps's door was flung open.

Suddenly, several men emerged from the car that collided with us, yanked open the door, and dragged Phipps out. They started beating him mercilessly.

Phipps didn't fight back; he just took the beating.

I was in shock. Given Ernest's skills, these guys should have been no match for him. Why wasn't he fighting back?

Then it dawned on me - this was his plan all along. To make them believe he wasn't a threat.

But I couldn't just stand by and watch. I yelled, "Stop it, please, just stop..."

My pleas were useless. In a frantic effort, I unbuckled my seatbelt, ran towards them, and tried to pull them away, only to be shoved to the ground.

Even after being pushed down, I didn't give up. I got back up and this time grabbed a rock and hurled it at them.

The rock hit one of them, who turned to retaliate but was held back by his companions. After glancing at Phipps, now curled up and bleeding on the ground, they fled in their car.

I rushed to Phipps, terrified by the sight of his blood.

"I'm okay," Phipps managed to say weakly.

How could he be okay with all that blood?

"Are you hurt?" he asked me.

I shook my head, then said, "I'm calling the police, right now."

"No police," he stopped me, "Call 911."

While waiting for the ambulance, I tried

shouldn't him, but he stedet

You'r

"Did

t move him auto

get scared?"

How could I not be?

He touched my face gently, "Weren't you always the brave one?"

He was referring to the past...

So, he was admitting he was Ernest?

The jerk. Not acknowledging it when everything was fine, but doing so now, covered in injuries.

I was angry yet so worried, "You used to be untouchable. Those guys wouldn't have stood a chance before." He laughed, and so did I...

After the laughter, tears flowed.

From the moment he disappeared, assumed a new identity, and now this, it felt like I'd lived severat lifetimes.

"Damn you, damn you, Ernest," I cursed as I held him.

"I'm sorry, Licia," he murmured.

All I needed was for him to be okay. Apologies were the last thing on my mind.

"Licia, stop crying. I've got

something important to tell you," Ernest said, his voice weak, and

BUMS

that's when I realized I was crying.

Yes, from now on, he was my Ernest again.

"What is it?" I asked, trying to hold back my tears.