Chapter 423
Willow dropped to her knees before Eloise, ignoring the pain from her still–healing leg. She insisted, “Mother, you can’t let Michael leave! Even if I have to crawl there today, I’ll make it to his estate–no matter what!”
Tears streaming down her face, Willow struggled forward, dragging her injured leg behind her as she made for the door. The eldest maid hurried forward to block her, urgently pleading, “Miss Willow, you mustn’t go out!”
“Get out of my way!” Willow snapped in desperation, yanking the fruit knife from a nearby table and pressing its sharp tip to her throat. “If you don’t move, I’ll kill myself right before your eyes!”
Eloise stared at Willow, her face a mask of shock. After all she had done for her daughter’s well–being, Willow was now threatening to take her own life to get her way.
An indescribable ache filled Eloise’s heart. ‘Why can’t Willow understand all my well–intentioned efforts?‘ she wondered.
“Willow,” Eloise asked, her voice laced with a mixture of warning and weariness, “Have you truly considered this? If you walk out that door today, you’ll face endless suffering and humiliation. Are you still willing to go through with it?”
To Willow, Eloise’s painstaking care was nothing more than a stumbling block. After waiting all this time for Michael, with happiness finally within her grasp, Willow would never let go.
Willow nodded emphatically at Eloise. “Yes, Mother, I am still willing. Even if I must endure countless humiliations, even if I am dragged to the depths of hell, I don’t care.”
Her words were so resolute that Eloise knew that if she kept pressing the issue, it would only breed resentment between them.
Eloise nodded slowly, her voice heavy with resignation. “Alright, Willow. Since you’re so determined to marry Michael, I won’t stand in your way any longer. I’ll let you have your wish.”
Eloise waved her hand at the servant blocking the way. “Escort my daughter to her wedding.”
“Thank you, Mother,” Willow said, gritting her teeth against the pain in her leg as she nodded to Eloise.
Just then, the tightly shut gates of the duke’s estate finally swung open, and the bride emerged. Eloise and the Duke of Suffield, their faces clouded with sorrow, escorted Willow to her wedding.
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