Matthew stood before the carriage that would take him to the seaport, with Gretchen latching on to him. She held on to him like he was her lifeline —the only thing that kept her sane— and although she hadn't exactly begged him to stay behind, he could feel the tension in her body; she longed for him to stay behind. But Matthew couldn't. In his time in the manor, he had desperately tried to get the couple together but both were too blinded by grief to see how much they needed to be united if they were going to fight this battle and win.

“Gretchen,” he worked to loosen her hold on him. “I have to go.” He said in compassion, staring at the grief stricken woman who stared back at him with glassy eyes.

She nodded. “I know.”

“I know you grieve for Ellie,” he took captive of her hands and stared into her eyes. “I know how difficult it has been these past few days but will you make me a promise?”

She stared at him, as if contemplating his request for several second, before nodding slowly.

“Do not in your grief push love away. Promise me you won't.” He watched her.

Her face was a mirror of conflicting emotions; pain, sorrow, confusion, fear, doubt, insecurity, loss...

Matthew stood there for a few seconds, waiting for her response but she didn't speak. He nodded, leaning down to plant a kiss on her cheek. “Goodbye, Gretchen.” He whispered, before turning around and climbing into the carriage.

As the carriage began to move out of the Williams' manor, Matthew couldn't help but grieve for the two souls whose love was dangerously close to the end.

Chapter Twenty Nine

The longer Juliet sat listening to the baby cry uncontrollably, the more convinced she was that she had made the right decision by getting rid of her in the first place. Which was why she wasn’t certain of the reason she had allowed herself to be dragged back here only to be saddled with the responsibility of caring for this unbelievably annoying child?

“I cannot continue with this,” Juliet spoke, doubtful she would be heard past the loud cries of the child. “I cannot go another second with this child!” She half yelled, picking up a pillow and throwing it at the wailing child. Unfortunately, she missed.

“Stop it!”

Juliet turned eyes of steel to the older woman who stood there watching her with disapproval in her eyes.

“This is your fault, Elaine! If it weren't for you, I would be out there living my life! ” She retorted, rising to her feet. She turned to face the door and began marching toward it; whatever her aunt was up to, she wasn't going to be a part of it anymore. The baby was still as incredibly annoying as the first day she dumped her on Ethan's front porch and for a while, she had actually felt guilty about it. However, after a week with the child, Juliet couldn't help but think walking away from this child was the best decision she ever made.