Solitude

Five

A month passed by.

Vincent's life worsened.
Sleep became impossible and he couldn't bring himself to eat properly.

One day he gathered the courage to leave the house and walk about the town. He drifted through the passing faces, some glancing his way and others paying no attention to him.
As he struggled through the town, the sudden desire to go and see her appeared.
What absurdity!
She wouldn't want him there, especially after the way he had treated her.
He would definitely not go to her.

This decision was only a distinct thought which resulted Vincent's body to disobey the mind and forced him to walk on. He reached the carriage and, having given up restraining his movement, ordered the coachman to take him to the Phillips' household.

Through the journey Vincent could feel his breathing becoming shorter and his hands clamier. He hadn't visited Margaret once since his father-in-law had told him about her illness.
How poorly must they think of him now?
It didn't matter, he had to see her.

They arrived after a few minutes.
Slowly he left the carriage and made his way towards the door and knocked gently.
One of the household's servants answered the door. Vincent tipped his hat towards the lady.
'Evening madam, I'm here to see my wife.'

The woman looked at him doubtfully. 'Pardon me asking sir but shouldn't you have been here long before? Mrs Margaret has been ill for quite some time.'

'I'm here now, may I please come in?' A touch of irritation was present in his voice. He didn't have time for explanations.
Sensing his increasing alarm she opened up the door without any further hesitation.

Mr and Mrs George John Phillips received Vincent with a deadly silence and directed him with a steady glance of the eye towards where Margaret was.
Vincent hurried without another word towards the room and stopped abruptly before the threshold.
There she lay.
Deadly pale as the bedsheets, asleep.

If he didn't know any better he would thought her dead. Very subtly he went closer.
Light movements of breathing could be seen.
'Oh Lord forgive me!' Vincent knelt down beside her and took her hand. 'Forgive me.'

A slight shift of her hand could be felt.
Vincent looked up and found Margaret looking at him with shock in her eyes.
Hoarsly she spoke.
'Vincent? I didn't expect you.'

Vincent held her cheek and answered softly.
'I will never treat you like that ever again. Oh sweet Margaret, I promise!'
He took her hand and kissed it gently.
'I'm so sorry.'

With her other hand Margaret lifted Vincent's face and smiled closing her eyes.
'I knew you would open your heart to me eventually! I knew it all along!'

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