Melanie was sitting beside India when Ellen found her. She looked oblivious to all the things that happened today. A serene smile on her face.

Both girls sat up, "Mrs. O'Hara."

Before she spoke further, Ellen said, "Miss Hamilton, I would like to have a moment with you."

Despite her surprise said in a manner that was beyond her age and in contrast to her childlike body and face, "of course, Mrs, O'Hara." Then she led her to a room where she used it during her stay with Wilkes.

India remained behind, from now on, Scarlett would be her sister-in-law.

Both were genteel ladies, but where Ellen was regal and had a kind of pride showing her confidence of her aristocratic heritage, Melanie lacked of this instead had a caring nature that almost looked like a mother looking at everyone, with a pure kindness and innocence hardly could be seen in any other lady.

Ellen as always took up the rein of the situation. "There is an important matter that I would like you to know before others at the ball."

She looked not to expect what to hear, but smiled and said, "of course, you have my whole attention." And her big brown eyes were attentive.

Such a girl ready to be slaughtered like a lamb.

"I couldn't not say to you my dear. A marriage is happy when both love eachother and I can't let you marry when I know there isn't love between you and him."

"But, excuse me Mrs. O'Hara, I and Ashley love each other."

"Yes, but it's the love someone had for their cousin. At least from my knowledge that's how with Ashley. He didn't have the heart to say no to you, as you're dear to everyone."

She was in a state of numbness, Melanie hadn't expected to hear as such.

Ellen held the girl's hands and gave them a small pressure, then a book on the table caught her attention, Jane Eyre . Despite her sweetness and innocent look she knew more than Scarlett about many things, about mistresses, something that Scarlett with all her flirty manner didn't have any idea. She neglected her daughter, her daughters, she corrected herself. Not from now. They would know and understand the world. That wouldn't do. That Ashley felt regret for marrying Scarlett for not knowing a silly book.

"I know how hard it's for you my dear, but they're, I mean Mr Wilkes and Ashley also worry about you. It's so hard for them to talk about this matter with you, after all, you're his niece. I couldn't bear to see them so sad and this is killing them and that's why I'm here. They're worried you may get sick again." She looked at her and said in a knowing voice, "your body is so delicate and I'm sure it can't bear the distressing matters. As a married woman you should bear so many things that are almost hard for many women.

"I was a very healthy young woman, but everytime when I was expecting, I became sick a little more than before, till the last stillborn that I had." She smiled and looked at Melanie. "It was a boy, I couldn't have more children, I was almost dying from it. I thought I couldn't do that anymore. My children and many people needed me, I couldn't leave them. You, my dear, maybe you think it's a good risk to have a child, but what about your aunt Pitty, I'm sure she wouldn't stand without you a day. Think about Ashley and Mr Wilkes, they won't forgive themselves if something happens to you. That's why they decided against it and let you have a healthy life as long as you can."

"I… I…" for the first time she didn't know what to say to also being polite to the older woman.

Ellen came nearer and said, "Think about Ashley, I'm sure you don't want him to live with someone he only loves as his cousin."

All of her hopes, her dreams of having children with Ashley were crushed down in an instant. He didn't love her. Of course, he never was one to show his affection and he never visited them alone, but he was always kind and talked to her about books. Always showing the affection the other men never showed her, but... but his affection was of a family member not from love between a man and a woman.

Hadn't she heard from some gossips that he visited Scarlett O'Hara for two years every week, nonstop? Hadn't she noticed his eyes lingered too long on the passionate girl she also admired so much? Scarlett was her daughter, surely Mrs. O'Hara saw them together, knew how they were in love and Honey, she was Ashley's sister, they knew them better.

Oh! How cruel she was to separate two lovers from each other for her own selfish purpose. For wanting children, for wanting to not be alone. For fear of becoming like her aunt Pitty, a nervous old maid without knowing the love that was promised in the books.

Mrs. O'Hara was right, he deserved a girl as healthy and passionate as Scarlett. He deserved to see the passion and desire for living every day every moment without any walls between him and the siren calling him to herself.

She stood in haste and so Ellen. "You're right Mrs. O'Hara. I couldn't bear to see him in agony. Is Ashley…" her voice was a bit shaky. "Is Ashley in love with Scarlett?"

Ellen looked elsewhere being a bit sorry for her. Now that she asked, it would be good to tell her.

"He is. The men, Mr. Wilkes and Mr O'Hara assure Scarlett and Ashley that they'll marry, but Scarlett is more worried about you. "

"Oh! She's such a kind girl. I can't bear a lively girl like her to be worried about me!" She held Ellen and said, "Oh! Mrs. O'Hara, what a selfish creature I am to only think of myself.

How she was selfish to separate them. What would become of a girl like Scarlett if lost her love to another girl. She couldn't bear it! She wouldn't let that happen. They deserved to be happy and she would be happy to have a part in their happiness, but in fact, she was the one between them.

She continued with more determination, "Please do tell him and Mr Wilkes that I'll accept and support whatever is their decision and dear Scarlett not need to worry about me. Please do tell her I'm fine. Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it. May I have a moment to myself? I need to process everything."

"Nonsense, my dear, I did my duty. And don't worry I shall inform them. If you need any time to talk with me, please don't hesitate." And with that she left the room.

Melanie heard the opening and closing of the door, but her mind was elsewhere, for the first time in her life, feeling she couldn't feel the serenity that surrounded her for her calmness was knowing her life was written for her and she knew what would happen. She would be the wife of Ashley, have his children and now she was on an uncertain ground. What now?

Her tears were falling of their own accord, she wiped them away and started freshening herself for the ball. She shouldn't show her unhappiness, she should try to pretend it was all rumour and Ashley was actually going to marry Scarlett. It was a hard task, but she could do it. That was the least she could do to atone for her hurting Ashley and Scarlett these two years.

Hi!

This chapter is a bit difficult for me to write.

Hopefully, you enjoy it.

The next chapter will be tomorrow :)

What do you think about Ellen? Is she a cruel woman or a desperate mother?