Unsure of how to respond, Gretchen nodded numbly.

“I mean, you have been nothing but kind to my child and my husband...” Juliet laughed and Gretchen took note of the fact that Juliet still referred to Ethan as her husband. “And I have done nothing but repay your kindness by keeping a terrible secret from you.” She turned slowly to Gretchen, her eyes fixed on her. “Lady Williams, I can assure you that what happened between Ethan and I was completely unplanned.”

A bitter taste filled Gretchen's mouth as she stood glued to her position by the crib.

Juliet shook her head. “I, for one, didn't mean for any of it to happen...”

Just then, a loud crashing sound interrupted Juliet's words.

Turning to the door, Gretchen raced out of the nursery and toward the sound, more in an attempt to get away from Juliet and her lies, than in an attempt to see what was wrong.

Chapter Thirty Seven

Gretchen knew she should have stayed back long enough to listen to Juliet, but she couldn't. A part of her knew where Juliet was going with that conversation, and that part didn't want to wait until the end. She understood the implications of being the ex —she knew what it was like to be on the other end, watching a rejected lover turn his love to someone else. She knew the jealousy that was bound to arise and worst of all, she knew the lengths that Juliet was most likely willing to go to get Ethan back. She knew because she had once been in Juliet's position.

Hence, she didn't slow down in her bid to get away from Juliet. In some way, it signified her bid to get away from her past and its consequences, and her bid to rid herself of the cost of her actions.

She reached the stairs just in time to find the source of the sound; Jacob. Lying still at the foot of the stairs, she hurried to where he was and stooped to her knees beside him.

“Jacob?” She said, trying not to sound as frantic as she actually felt.

A gruff sound escaped the butler's lips as his eyelids struggled to pull open. His blue eyes finally came to settle on her, confusion written plainly in them.

“Are you alright?” She scanned his tired face.

“I suppose.” He said, struggling to his feet.

“What happened?” Gretchen rose to her feet as well, her questioning gaze fixed on the butler who appeared somewhat nervous.

“It was an accident, Lady Williams; an accident that most definitely will not repeat itself.”

She watched Jacob for a few seconds, the old butler appearing much older than he actually did when she first arrived at the manor. His skin was pale and his breathing appeared to be labored.