It had been two years, but still that conversation was fresh in his memory. He could hear every word, see every look and feel every touch. He kept replaying that moment again and again in the train, trying to convince himself he was doing the right thing. He was finally a free man. He knew he had no right coming back, and he didn't expected Anna to take him back, but now that he was free, he had to let her make an informed choice. He was always the one to make choices for them without asking her, and he wanted to change that. He wanted to change every one of his mistakes. He had stopped drinking, had finally gotten divorced from Vera and now the only thing he needed was Anna's forgiveness. If he couldn't have her, he at least needed to be forgiven.

Stepping out of the train, he began walking with a new found confidence. He had decided he had made the right choice. When he reached the first class car, he saw a familiar figure. It was Lady Mary.

"Oh! Mr Bates, no one told me you were coming!"

"They didn't know milady."

"Are you coming to the house? We could give you a lift."

"I… I suppose I am. Thank you."

"May I ask… If nobody knows… then, why are you back? Do you want to get your post back?"

"Not really… you see… I've come to see Anna."

"Oh… I'm afraid you won't find her in the house. She is getting married next week."

Married… she was getting married? He had being standing so tall and in that moment his shoulders fell. Thank god they were standing next to a bench and he sat, otherwise, he would've fallen flat to the floor.

"I gather you didn't know then?"

"No… I… I didn't… She's getting married?"

"What did you expect?"

Mr. Bates looked at her with amazement.

"Don't give me that look. I know what happened. You told her to find happiness with someone else. She just listened to you"

"I… I know… I don't know what I was expecting."

"Why are you here now?"

"I'm a free man milady. I am divorced now."

"…And you were hoping she would run back into your arms?"

"No… it's not that. I just needed to tell her… I need to tell her immediately… to let her know… Where is she now?"

"At the cottage she will be living in."

"Who is he?"

"Want to guess? - It's Molesley."

"Molesley? Oh God please… I need to talk to her. Can you take me to her?"

"Will you try to stop her?"

"No… I just need to let her know… and see her one last time."

"I will take you to her, but, just because I know she won't be happy with him; not because I think she'll be better off with you."

"I… Thank you."