“Hurry up!” Lord Dowell yelled from the doorway.
Theodora looked at her mother and saw the tears that were already streaming down her cheeks. She looked tired and twice her age.
“Please… please do not do this, Benjamin,” she begged, turning towards the man standing stiffly outside her chamber.
Lord Dowell did not even look at Theodora. His jaw was clenched, his posture rigid, and his expression carved from stone.
“I told you both already. She leaves today.”
“Why today?” her mother cried. “Why so soon? Can she not stay another week? Why are you doing this Benjamin?”
“Because I said so,” he snapped. “And I will not repeat myself.”
Theodora swallowed hard, her throat burning. “Father, please do not fight?—”
“Hush!” he cut her off. “You have brought nothing but shame to this family. You will go to the convent and reflect on your actions.”
Her mother sobbed harder. “She has done nothing wrong!”
“Silence,” he barked. “The carriage is waiting. Now, make haste.”
Theodora’s breath quickened. She looked at her sweet, gentle mother and something inside her cracked. Her vision blurred as she tried to hold herself together, but the moment her mother reached for her, she broke and began to cry.
Her mother rushed forward, and they collided in the middle of the room, arms wrapping around each other desperately. They clung to one another as if they could stop the world from moving. Theodora buried her face in her shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent of lavender, of safety, of childhood, and of everything she was about to lose.
Her father huffed loudly. “Enough of these dramatics. Finish packing and get to the carriage.”
He turned and left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Theodora’s reality came crashing down upon her. Her life would never be the same again. She would not see her family and friends as often and she would never see Alexander again.
Alex.
Theodora’s sobs grew harsher. “Mother… I do not want to go.”
“I know,” her mother whispered, stroking her hair. “I know, my darling. I know.”
They held each other tightly, both shaking and crying. Her mother’s tears soaked into Theodora’s hair, and Theodora clung to her.
Finally, her mother pulled back just enough to cup Theodora’s face with trembling hands. “Listen to me. I will come live with you.”
Theodora shook her head immediately. “No. We spoke about this, Mother. You cannot live in a convent because of me. But you must promise me one thing.”
“Anything!” Her eyes lit up.
Theodora looked around to see if anyone was listening.
She leaned closer to her mother and whispered, “You must leave Father.”
Her mother’s eyes filled with fresh tears. “I will leave him. I promise you that. I should have done it years ago.”
Theodora nodded, though her chest felt like it was collapsing in on itself. She turned back to the trunk and forced herself to continue packing. Her hands moved mechanically while her mind screamed at her to stop, to run, and to fight. But she could not. She had no strength left.
“Theodora!” Her father’s voice bellowed from downstairs.
They flinched.
“I will walk you down,” her mother offered.
