Hawthorne''s car arrived shortly, and Leonie jumped up, waving enthusiastically.


    Gwh''s expression remained cid, showing neither joy nor sorrow.


    "Aunt Gwh, it''s time to go."


    Neither of them had much luggage, just a small suitcase each. Hawthorne hade alone. He put their bags in the car while Gwh settled into the back seat.


    Leonie climbed in after her.


    The drive was silent. Leonie tried to liven things up, chattering away, but no matter what she said, Gwh would only respond with one or two words.


    Hawthorne didn''t speak a word until he had dropped Leonie off at the Everhart estate, after which he continued on toward his vi with Gwh.


    "If there''s anywhere else you''d like to go, just let me know. I''ll take you," Hawthorne said, finally breaking the silence now that they were alone.


    "No..."


    With that one word, the conversation died again.


    Hawthorne tried to start other topics, but Gwh didn''t respond.


    Just as they were approaching the vi, Gwh suddenly spoke.


    "Make the arrangements for Thanksgiving. We''re going back to Starfall City for the wedding."


    Hawthorne mmed on the brakes.


    "Can you tell me what made you change your mind?"


    She was no longer talking about divorce and was actually agreeing to marry him. The news was both shocking and thrilling, but her expression was all wrong.


    The misunderstanding between them was far from resolved, and Hawthorne didn''t want her marrying him with a heavy heart.


    "It has nothing to do with you. It''s about my family. My grandfather is gravely ill, and I don''t want our issues to affect his health."


    Hawthorne nodded. "That''s understandable."


    He had suspected something was


    amiss. He knew that even if he


    managed to dy the divorce,


    Gwh wouldn''t juste around. The


    2wed ceremonies, one


    for each family, had been his biggest worry.


    He had finally found the woman he loved and managed to guide her toward the altar. If it all fell apart now, he would regret it for the rest of his life.


    "Just tell me what you need me to do."


    Hawthorne didn''tin or use her of using him; he simply agreed. His attitude was one of the reasons Gwh was giving him a second look.


    He could have easily used her grandfather''s illness to his advantage, but he didn''t.


    "There''s not much to coordinate. Our wedding will proceed as nned. Hawthorne, I won''t stop you from being with whoever you want, whoever you love. After we''re


    vel


    maried, I''ll buy a house somewhere


    Once


    se. I''won''t be living with you my grandfather''s condition has stabilized, we can file for divorce."


    He understood. She was onlypromising for her family''s sake, not because she actually wanted to be with him.


    But since he was the cause of this whole mess, and she had made her position clear, he had little choice but to agree. For now, he just had to keep her close.


    "We''ll do as you say. However, I can''t agree to you moving out and buying a new house. Gwyn, since I''m helping you, you should help me in return. It''s only fair.


    In Greenvale, the Everhart family has a reputation to uphold. We don''t do divorces or separations It''s a matter of lifelongmitment, at least in the public eye, and I hope you can respect that."