,

"If you had shown this side of you earlier, maybe Conrad wouldn't have taken off,

" Fanny, out of the blue, dropped a bombshell. Bringing up an ex in front of the current beau is akin to setting off dynamite., But I knew Fanny wouldn't harm me. She wasn't thoughtless either. When I glanced her way, she gave me a knowing wink., I got her drift. She was here to ruffle Ernest's feathers, to test the waters., No man likes being reminded of his girlfriend's past lovers. Fanny wanted to gauge Ernest's reaction., But talk about being bold! Wasn't she afraid of scaring Ernest away?, I stole a look at Ernest. His expression was unchanged, unbothered., Fanny pressed on,

"Right, Mr. Collins?

", I was speechless.,

"Licia only acts cute around me,

" Ernest finally responded., A wave of sweetness filled the air. Checkmate. His reply was perfection., Fanny clicked her tongue,

"Mr. Collins looks like the nerdy type, but who knew he was all romantic at the core.

",

"Chemistry discusses quantum reactions, situations where results change every time, depending on the quantum states involved,

" Ernest explained, likening his romantic gestures to a scientific phenomenon., Using science to articulate love, that was Ernest for you, uniquely brilliant.,

"Mr. Collins, no wonder you won Licia's heart,

" Fanny gave him a thumbs up in admiration., My heart swelled with pride. Meeting Ernest was a stroke of incredible luck!,

"Licia, suddenly I feel like you should be thanking Haley,

" Fanny teased with a wink., She had a point.

"Indeed, if it weren't for her, how would I have met my Mr. Collins?

", I said, leaning my head on Ernest's shoulder.,

"Good thing didn't eat much, or be stuffed with all this mushy stuff,

" Fanny joked from the sidelines. ,

"We're giving you a tutorial. Pay attention,

" I teased her back., As Fanny and I bantered, we reached the hospital's entrance and saw Dustin Wagner., He was using another door. Just as I was about to greet him, he hurried off towards the wards., It felt like we were strangers., A complex emotion flashed through me, signaling the growing distance between me and the Wagner family., Fanny was with Ernest and me as we collected some test results. Thankfully, nothing serious., My sudden fever was likely triggered by intense emotions., Fanny had to get back to work, so Ernest I visited Susie. She seem, not being able to underst I down, possibly upset, surgery., W$, , I didn't try to cheer her up directly but instead brought up an upcoming concert,

"Want to go?

",

"Can I?

" Susie looked to Ernest, hopeful., Her heart condition meant missing out on many experiences.,

"Bro, I promise I won't get too excited,

" Susie pledged, raising her hand., Ernest hummed in agreement,

"We'll go together, Licia and I.

",

"Yes!

" Susie cheered, hugging me tightly., Her excitement was palpable, and I, d she might not keep her, promise of staying calm at the, event. I regretted my suggestion., , I looked at Ernest, who lightly tapped Susie's head,

"Getting worked up already? Maybe you shouldn't...

",

"I'll stay calm, I promise,

" Susie reassured, looking at me for support., Realizing my mistake, I wasn't about to argue. Just then, my phone rang. It was Grant., I quickly answered, and after hearing what Grant had to say, I turned to Ernest., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.