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The words felt like sand in her mouth, but she spoke them all the same “Home. St. Catherine’s convent.”

“She is gone, Your Grace.”

Hector paused momentarily, his eyes fixed on the papers scattered across his desk but not seeing a thing written on any of them as his mind tossed around the words he had just heard.

The truth of the matter was as plain and as simple as the words that had been provided to him.

“I see,” Hector muttered, picking up some of the papers in an effort to keep his hands busy.

She had really done it. She had said she would, and hours later, she had left him, left their home, and suspended their marriage.

He did not think the fault was hers, but he still couldn’t shake off the heaviness that covered his heart.

He waved his butler away when it became clear that the man had nothing else to tell him. Hector returned his attention to his work.

Matters might now move much more smoothly since I have no further distractions.

Even though his daily life had simply returned to what it had been before, he knew he had done what he could to fulfil his sister’s dying wishes.

It will be fine,he told himself.In time, everything shall be as seamless as it once had been.

Hector bowed his head and committed himself to his work.

It had taken a week for Juliet to arrive at St. Catherine’s.

All the while her heart had been in a state of unrest. She had hoped that no one had succumbed to their illnesses and passed. She prayed that a savior had appeared at the nunnery during her journey and the state of affairs had significantly improved.

She also took a moment to pray for Hector’s well-being. Despite how much he had hurt her, she still wanted him to be all right.

It was a blessing when she finally arrived at the nunnery and all thoughts of her husband disappeared from her mind

Without speaking to the coachman, Juliet quickly left the carriage and headed inside, her heart sinking at the sight of everything around her.

Sick girls were shivering and coughing, and the halls did not echo because the building was actively falling apart, losing chunks of walls and ceilings that were steadily crumbling.

“No,” she gasped, horrified.

“Juliet?”

Juliet whirled around, coming face to face with the Oblate Beatrice.

She was one of the gentler nuns who was particularly good in taking care of girls who had mastered the art of hiding their pain—Juliet being one of them. Beatrice was a quiet reassurance, and her graceful nature had warmed Juliet’s lonely heart on several occasions. She was also the one who had sent Juliet the letter concerning the state of St. Catherine’s all those weeks ago.

“What are you doing here? I mean…Your Grace,” the young woman tried to curtsey, only to stumble over a chunk of rubble.

Juliet’s hands darted out to steady her as worry flashed in her eyes.

“Juliet. Please call me Juliet. I will always bejustJuliet here.

“What happened? How did things get this bad so quickly? I know it has been nearly two months since you sent me your letter, but I had hoped things weren’t this…dear God.”

Juliet glanced around helplessly, her eyes filled with emotion.

“It was not as bad as this when we wrote the letter. When you did not reply, we assumed it was your way of saying we were on our own. With the constant rainy weather, the walls just keep falling apart. The sick have gotten much sicker, and while no one has yet passed yet, I am not sure how much longer they can soldier on. It is truly awful.”

Juliet felt guilt gnawing at her insides.

She had intended to reply, but there was nothing positive she could say. With Hector’s business problems, she did not know when they could afford to be of assistance to the girls of the nunnery.