He pulled away then, forcing her to open her eyes. She stared at him, a frown settling on her face in protest.

“Fortunately,” he smiled, “it has not driven me to the verge of madness.” He finished, his eyes catching fire as he gripped her jaw, pulling her forward until her body was bumping into his.

Gasping, pain shot up her neck as he tightened his grip on her jaw.

“A few weeks!” He spat, anger flashing in his eyes. “You have a few more weeks before the court hearing. I shall take Elizabeth away, and I shall gladly walk you off of my property.” He said, and Juliet wasn't certain whether the pain she was experiencing was as a result of his hold on her, or as a result of the pain she felt as he leaned further down, his lips only inches away from hers. “Ethan, Gretchen, Elizabeth...” he gritted his teeth. “We are already a family.” He finished, releasing his hold on her.

Breathless, her legs gave way beneath her as she fell painfully to the floor and watched as he made his way out of the room, leaving her seated there with tears in her eyes.

**

A LOUD SILENCE SETTLED over the dinner table as Gretchen watched Ethan and Juliet from her position at the table. It seemed to her that the two were suddenly upset about something, with Ethan glaring at his plate as he shoved food down his throat, and Juliet barely even touching her meal.

Confused by their attitude, she returned to the nursery and settled a sleeping Ellie in her crib, waiting patiently for the maids assigned to see to the toddler's needs through the night, to arrive.

Her gaze settled on the sleeping child —it almost seemed impossible to reconcile the baby she met ten months ago, with this extremely vibrant, smiling toddler who had begun walking, and was now insisting on using a spoon on the dining table. Ellie's vocabulary had grown from simply referring to Gretchen as 'Mama', to also referring to Ethan as 'Papa'. Of course, this only happened after Ethan spent days trying to get her to call him that—she thought, smiling.

Her life was close to perfect, and although she knew Ellie had to be officially handed back to them in court, she already considered Ellie to be her daughter.

The sound of the door opening caught her attention, forcing her to tear her gaze off of the sleeping child, long enough to see Juliet making her way into the nursery. She frowned —she was never happy to see Juliet, and after their conversation a week ago, she had been actively avoiding her.

Juliet had a look on her face that made Gretchen uncomfortable as she approached and came to stand beside Gretchen, her eyes fixed on Ellie.

“She's beautiful,” It was a low whisper but Gretchen heard her. “And I have you to thank for it. So, thank you, Lady Williams.” Juliet said.