The Book of Lost Hours
by Hayley Gelfuso
Contents
Chapter 20
Overview
Ernest confronts Moira in 1965 New York after finding Lisavet Levy’s book, regaining all the memories she erased and learning Moira is Lisavet. He reveals he is the rebel leader Moira has been suppressing and that he has stolen TRP watches, putting his life in immediate danger.
Moira chooses to protect Ernest instead of betraying him, and they reunite, agreeing to work together and keep no more secrets—until Moira admits there is something crucial about Amelia. They plan to fake Ernest’s death, but Ernest impulsively goes to Boston to watch Amelia, newly realizing she is his daughter and grappling with betrayal and devotion.
Summary
In 1965 New York, Moira returns from a difficult day running the TRP under Jack Dillinger’s lingering control and amid a growing rebel movement asking about Lisavet Levy. Ernest Duquesne appears at her door during a rainstorm, furious, and insists they talk about Lisavet. Inside, he needles her about her life and then plays “Blue Moon,” using the song to force the buried past to the surface.
Ernest reveals he has found Lisavet Levy’s book—Moira’s book—and that seeing it restored “everything”: all the memories Moira took from him, including who she really is. He confronts her for erasing him twice and for lying about an affair with Jack. Moira tries to justify it as protection, but Ernest insists he deserved the choice and admits she is still the only person he has ever loved.
Ernest then delivers the larger shock: he is the rebel movement Moira has been fighting, and Moira’s earlier influence on him became an idea that spread. He also admits he stole the TRP watches from his office and says other agencies will soon face similar thefts, making him a hunted traitor. Realizing he is in immediate danger, Moira gives Ernest her own watch and urges him to flee and hide, choosing again to protect him rather than turn him in.
The confrontation breaks into a passionate reunion, with Ernest calling her “Lisavet” as they finally act on years of suppressed longing. Afterward, they discuss the rebels’ broader plan: not only stealing watches but ultimately eliminating all access to the time space so no government can manipulate time again. Moira commits to helping, and Ernest demands honesty going forward; Moira hesitates, then says there is one more thing she must tell him—about Amelia.
By morning, Moira and Ernest form a concrete cover story: Ernest will hide in Moira’s secret downtown apartment while Moira tells Jack that Ernest was killed in the time space, using Ernest’s watch as staged proof, and then Moira will go to Boston to protect Amelia. However, Ernest cannot follow the plan immediately; driven by the thought of Amelia attending his staged funeral alone, he goes to Pembroke Academy in Boston and secretly watches her. Now knowing Amelia is his daughter, he is flooded with love, regret, and renewed anger at Moira for keeping him in the dark, even as he recognizes he has no one left to trust but Lisavet.
Who Appears
- Moira (Lisavet Levy)TRP director; confronted by Ernest; protects him, reunites with him, and prepares to reveal truth about Amelia.
- Ernest DuquesneTRP agent turned rebel leader; recovers erased memories via Lisavet’s book; steals watches and plans to dismantle time-space access.
- Amelia DuquesneMoira and Ernest’s daughter; at Pembroke Academy; unknowingly watched by Ernest after he learns the truth.
- Jack DillingerCIA chief exerting control over TRP; looming threat Moira plans to deceive with Ernest’s staged death.
- ElainaErnest’s past partner; previously kept Amelia from him, influencing Ernest’s regrets and assumptions about Amelia’s paternity.