Devoted To You || Gilbert Blythe

XV

~𝒜𝒹𝒶~
Opportunity. A noun. A set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.
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I wiped away the tears that lingered from the emotionally charged encounter with my family as I made my way to Aunt Eliza's house.

"Ada, dear, what's happened?" Aunt Eliza asked, her gentle eyes noticing my distress.

"May I come in?" I sniffle.

The familiar warmth and scent of her cozy home embraced me as I entered. Diana and Aunt Josephine were sitting in the parlor, their eyes filled with concern.

"My goodness, child. Your appearance could make death itself turn in its grave." Aunt Josephine says. "What's the matter?"

I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself before speaking. "It's about the farm, Aunt Josephine. We're facing financial difficulties, and Father has decided to sell our home and move Alexander and I to Paris."

Diana gasped, and Aunt Josephine's eyes widened. Aunt Eliza, ever the picture of poise, maintained her calm exterior as she took a seat beside me.

"Paris?" Diana exclaimed. "But why? And why didn't you tell us sooner?"

I nodded, understanding their confusion. "It all happened so quickly, and I... I didn't know how to say it."

Aunt Josephine sighed, her gaze thoughtful. "My dear, I'm truly sorry to hear about your troubles. But moving to Paris? It seems drastic."

"Unless you are attending finishing school." Eliza shrugs.

"Have you considered talking to your father again? Perhaps explaining the situation in more detail?" Diana asks.

I nodded. "Nothing is working yet."

Diana placed a supportive hand on my shoulder. "Everything will be okay, Ada."

"We will think of something, child." Aunt Jo pats my arm.

"Thank you," I whispered, feeling a mix of gratitude and sadness.

***

Diana called me to her room and I sat on her bed, the soft glow of the afternoon sunlight filtering through the curtains. As I began to share the events from the morning, the weight of the words felt heavy on my chest.

"Alexander and Father were talking to Gilbert about selling some assets, and it all got so complicated. Gilbert was getting more and more suspicious," I explained, my voice barely above a whisper.

Diana's eyes widened with concern. "They didn't even give you a chance!"

"I feel so deceived, Diana." I whimper. "Gilbert got so mad; he stormed out. I fear I have hurt him so terribly that he'll never forgive me."

Diana placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Ada, I'm so sorry you're going through this. But you need to talk to Gilbert, explain everything. It might not be as bad as it seems."

I nodded, grateful for Diana's support. "I know, but with everything happening, I'm scared. What if I make it worse? What if I lose him?"

Diana offered a reassuring smile. "Ada, Gilbert cares about you. If he didn't then he wouldn't have acted out the way he did. If you explain everything, he'll understand. You can't let fear hold you back from talking to him."

Her words resonated with me, and I took a deep breath, realizing that facing the truth and communicating with Gilbert was the only way forward.

A knock is heard at the door and Aunt Josephine walks in. "Do you have a plan yet?" She asks. I shake my head. Aunt Josephine's eyes softened. "Ada, my home is always open to you. If staying with me would provide some solace during these troubled times, I would be more than willing to talk to your father about it."