Will tried to convince Elvira that he loved her and only her but it was to no avail. She had retreated inward and he could not draw her out.
"Just go Will. Please"
Will sullenly stood and left her in the library. He went back to his room and just cried. Will couldn't remember the last time he cried but the aching feeling of loss had driven him to tears. He did not think he could survive without Elvira and her love. He had foolishly thrown it away in the name of love for Jem but now… now his little Evvy would not even speak to him. Guilt stabbed his heart as he thought of how vacant and empty her usually shining blue eyes looked. He hated himself for breaking her heart and he didn't know how to repair it.
Elvira hugged her knees to her chest and sobbed hard. She was convinced that Will never actually loved her and she was just a distraction until Tessa came home. Her heart broke at the thought of never speaking to Will again but she felt as though her heart could never be repaired. She went upstairs and threw a few of her things into a bag. She left the books on the nightstand and wrote two notes: one for Charlotte and one for Will. She choked on a sob as she tiptoed out of the Institute and retreated into the night. She took a train to Yorkshire and decided to stay at the Institute there for a time. When Will woke up, he dashed to Elvira's room to beg her forgiveness and found the notes. He tore his open and sat on the bed to read it:
Dear Will,
When you read this, I will be gone. I have decided to leave London and go away to another Institute. I cannot live here knowing you do not love me. Marry Tessa. Love Tessa. Maybe we were never meant to be. Maybe I was just a distraction until your true love came back. Whatever I was, I am grateful to have known love, even if it was only for a time and for that I must thank you. Thank you, William, for showing me what it truly meant to be loved. I will always be grateful and I will always love you.
All my love always,
Elvira
His hands shook as he finished the much too short letter. He went to Charlotte and handed hers to her.
"She's gone" he said flatly "Evvy is gone'
Charlotte looked up at him "oh Will"
He sunk into a chair "I love her and she thinks I love Tessa"
She patted his shoulder "leave her be for a time then go find her. I know where she is but she needs time to heal before she can start to forgive you."
"She explained why she left then?"
"I'm afraid so"
"I'm such a fool Char. I adore Evvy and I lost her. I cannot believe what I have done"
Will was like a ship set adrift without Elvira. He didn't know how to live without her. Months went by and only Charlotte had letters from her. She never once corresponded with Will.
Will begged Charlotte to tell him where she was. Finally, she relented.
Will boarded the next train for Yorkshire and prayed hard that she would not only see him, but forgive him.
I know its short! To be continued