, Fanny didn't answer me right away, instead, she gazed out the window at Ernest,

"How much longer for your Mr. Collins?

", Outside, the man seemed almost ready to kneel before Ernest, who was standing with one hand casually in his pocket. The morning sunlight bathed him, making him look as if he was glowing., I couldn't take my eyes off him., A sense of pride and admiration bubbled up inside me, a voice whispering: Felicia, that's your man., Getting involved with Ernest was something I drifted into by chance., Initially, it was just a fling to get over the loneliness of breaking up with Conrad., But now, it felt like I had discovered a treasure, both beautiful to look at and useful.,

"You were asked something,

" Fanny nudged me with her shoulder when I didn't respond., I blinked,

"Should be soon.

", If I wasn't mistaken, the man outside was probably begging Ernest to fix his shoulder., Susie had mentioned her brother knew how to set dislocated joints, having learned from an old man in the village because Susie used to dislocate her arm frequently as a child., Ernest, having accompanied Susie often, picked up the skill and eventually mastered it., He knew the tricks to both dislocate and fix a joint, which explained why the man followed him so obediently. Now, the man outside was pleading with Ernest, who only intended to punish him before fixing him up. Besides, Ernest had plans to take me for a blood test result; he wouldn't waste too much time on that man. He was waiting for me and Fanny, getting that, I added to Fanny,

"Probably as soon as we step out.

" Fanny got the hint,

"Then let's talk and walk.

", She grabbed her jacket from the chair, helping me put it on, and filled me in on Haley's situation.,

"After I called you, and you said to just let her be, I arranged for her to get checked and prepared for surgery. But after paying, she vanished,

" Fanny spoke with a shake of her head, clearly exasperated.,

"She never really wanted to go through with it,

" I scoffed softly.,

"Exactly, not wanting to yet coming, to me thrice for it, and always to me, you get her motive, right?

" Fanny, hinted. , swho, I knew well; she wanted Fanny to pass the message to me, and then for me to pass it to Conrad., Her actions were driven by the knowledge that both Conrad and I wanted to keep the baby.,

"She miscalculated this time,

" Fanny said with a light smile., I smirked slightly,

"She won't give up until she gets what she wants, she'll keep trying.

",

"Then let Conrad come back. Why should you clean up his mess?

" Fanny always got irked mentioning Conrad., I pursed my lips,

"He should be back soon.

",

"Did he give you a heads-up?

" Fanny looked at me., Thinking of Herschel's illness, my voice softened,

"Herschel's sick, lung cancer.

", Fanny paused, her silence speaking volumes., As a doctor, I understood her silence all too well., We reached the door, and as expected, Ernest turned to the man, once again gripping his shoulder., With the man's yelp of pain, Ernest issued a warning,

"Stay clear of this hospital in the future.

", That was some threat., Fanny nudged me,

"Mr. Collins has quite the boss vibe.

", Her comment made me think of Ernest, the hidden big shot behind Grant, pretending to be poor with me, stirring a subtle unease in my heart. , I didn't respond to that. Ernest approached, “Let's check the results now.

", Fanny cleverly stepped aside for Ernest, who naturally took my hand, prompting her to wink at me., I felt no embarrassment, even, started a live tutorial for Fanny,,

"Take note, if your Yates is too shy to make a move, you can take the lead.

" , Saying so, I slipped my hand from Ernest's grasp and hooked my arm through his, “Just like this.

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