Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Martha Manning, John Laurens's fling now wife, was pregnant. She was very happy to be with child and even more so to be with John as she loved him, although their meeting was supposed to be a one time deal.
Martha walked into the main hall, where John was just getting back. "Hello Hun." She said with a sweet tone. "Hello Martha.." John replied. He went to her and hugged her gently then went upstairs to go work or something. Martha was always hurt when he left her so soon, she missed what he was like the night they met, although they were drunk, it was magical.
A knock at the door. She goes to answer it and it's the postman. She gets handed a letter to John from his friend A. Ham. 'He's been distant.. and this is the 5th letter this week from him..' She thought while opening the letter.
"Cold in my professions, warm in ⟨my⟩ friendships, I wish, my Dear Laurens, it m⟨ight⟩ be in my power, by action rather than words, ⟨to⟩ convince you that I love you. I shall only tell you that 'till you bade us Adieu, I hardly knew the value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed, my friend, it was not well done. You know the opinion I entertain of mankind, and how much it is my desire to preserve myself free from particular attachments, and to keep my happiness independent on the caprice of others. You sh⟨ould⟩ not have taken advantage of my sensibility to ste⟨al⟩ into my affections without my consent. But as you have done it and as we are generally indulgent to those we love, I shall not scruple to pardon the fraud you have committed, on condition that for my sake, if not for your own, you will always continue to merit the partiality, which you have so artfully instilled into ⟨me⟩."
'He loves John... does John love him...?' John walked downstairs to see her with the letter in hand, "Martha!" He takes the letter out of her hand, "This is private, it's not welcome to others eyes! Why were you reading it?!" Martha answers, "I had to see something for myself John..." She takes his hand and sits with him outside, where in case he gets mad he can't yell as loud as he wants due to others hearing.
"I love you John.." He avoids eye contact with her when he replies, "I love you too..." Martha cups his cheek and turns his head to face her and puts her hand on his, "You don't.. You don't love me, do you?" John freezes. Tears well up in Martha's eyes. "You don't love me, do you?" She repeats. "I..." John starts but doesn't finish.
A moment of silence between them.
"I wanted to protect honor... both yours and mine.. I don't love you but I shall be there for you once I come back from war.. to you and dearest Frances.." He puts his hand on her stomach. "Then we can figure out what to do..." Martha sighed, "Alright.. but I have to know, who do you love?" John doesn't say anything but his eyes go to the letter that Alexander sent. Her eyes also go to the letter.
