ing in the near-empty church. It was Sister Agnes, one of the senior nuns

er voice low but urgent. "I need

ll leave you to it," he murmured, his voice warm but respectful.

gnes, worry settling in her

r father's business," she began. "The bishop received a letter this morning. It seems

during the service suddenly made sense. "What kind of

tirely due to bad luck or the economy. Some say... t

s. "That can't be true," she said firmly, though

ently. "But if there's even a kernel of truth, i

t earlier now seemed tainted by suspicion. She took a deep brea

"Pray for guidance, Victoria. And remember, t

he flickering candles casting shadows on her troubled face. She

iar and foreign, a place of childhood memories now overshadowed by years of estrangemen

pping aside to let her i

s of wear that spoke to their recent hardships. Her mother appeared from the kitchen, wiping he

er hands folded neatly in her lap. "You

'll be honest with you," he began. "Things are worse than I've let on. The business..

u telling me this?" she asked, though s

leaning forward. "Fedrick. He's young, wealthy, and

"You want me to marry h

nterjected, her voice pleading. "He's a good ma

said, her voice trembling. "You think throwing away my vows, my lif

Watch your tone," he said gru

her voice sharp. "And now you want to use me to fix your

uel peeked out from the hallway, his innocent e

She knelt down and took his hands. "It's okay, Sammy," s

She knelt in the chapel, the silence around her broken only by the faint rustl

sed her eyes, her hands gripping the edge of the pew. She thought of Fedrick, of his kindness and his unwavering gaz

ee Fedrick standing in the doorway of the chapel, his expression unreada

hat is it?" she asked, her voice st

eed to know," he said. "Do you feel anything for me?

ing over her like a warm but heavy blanket. Before she could respond, the

from the bishop. He... h

heart pounding. "I have to go," she s

ll of Fedrick's gaze on her back. The path ahead was uncertain,