He pushed the door open apprehensively, unsure about how she would react. Ethel watched his guilty, remorseful eyes rise to meet her terrified gaze, and she knew. No words were needed to express the apology written blatantly across his face. They weren't going to Shanghai, or at least, not together...

'Come here,' he whispered, his strong arms outstretched to embrace her. She hesitated, so hurt and angry at him for going back on their plans, but eventually decided that this could be the last time they had a moment to themselves. What would be the point in wasting it by giving him the cold shoulder?

As she half stumbled into his arms, he pulled her tightly into him, letting his cheek brush across her hair lightly. He wanted to cherish this moment, knowing they wouldn't get another like it for quite some time.

'I'm sorry.' It was the only explanation he could give without his throat closing up, and he breathed deeply into her light brown curls. Why did this have to be so difficult?

'You don't need to be sorry for anything,' she replied, her heart breaking inside but her voice remaining calm. Numbness had dulled all her senses.

He kissed the dip between her collar bone and her shoulder, making her shiver, before pulling back to look at her properly.

'We can't...'

'It wasn't meant to be,' she said for him, feeling foolish for getting her hopes up. It wasn't meant to be... How could she even say it without crying? Her entire future had just evaporated before her eyes, and yet here she was, condoning his actions!

He placed a cool hand on her cheek, letting his thumb gently caress her cheekbone, and watched as the light faded from her eyes. He didn't know how he could continue to hurt her like this, knowing how happy she had been only yesterday. It all seemed like a bad dream which he was desperate to wake up from.

'They won't let you in... not until you're at least made a Sister. After that-'

'I think that's far enough in the future, don't you? I'm a nurse, Millais. We both know that I'll never be anything more than that. Not until the rules change.'

Millais' eyebrows furrowed in confusion. He was torn between agreeing with her, and questioning what the hell she was talking about!

'Don't you see? I'm doing all of this for you! So that you can become a Sister, and then a doctor. And once that happens, you can join me in Shanghai and as soon as you step off that boat, we can get married. I love you, Ethel, and I don't intend on giving you up forever. Just temporarily... for a greater good.' He feigned a cheery smile, trying to lighten the mood, but he knew she was disappointed. He felt the loss just as she did – they were both grieving over a life they couldn't have any longer.

'I wanted to come with you... now,' she said, trying hard not to make it sound as though she was pleading, but unable to refrain her angst any longer. She needed him, and the thought of him being so far away was excruciating to her.

Millais desperately wanted to kiss her, feel her warmth radiate over his skin, but he knew he had to make her see.

'Just be patient, Ethel. A few years at most...'

That was it. She had tried to be patient, she had tried being polite and courteous. She knew she had to understand that things were difficult and that their situation was unusual, but how could he possibly ask her to wait for years, when she hadn't even expected to wait a month?

She shrugged off his touch and turned away from him, not wanting to show the tears now shimmering in her eyes.

'We need to talk about this.'

'I don't want to talk any more. I think we've done enough talking.'

Millais sighed, exasperated. He understood she was upset, but this kind of attitude wasn't going to make it any easier.

'You're being very childish, Ethel.'

Had he meant to say that? Had that not been an inner thought which was never supposed to reach his lips? Did he truly just say she was behaving like a child?

By the look on her face, the answer was evident.

'Excuse me?'

Her voice ricocheted through his head, making his heart judder and leap with fear. She looked ready to kill him, and there were certainly plenty of implements she could use!

'Ethel-'

'I think you should leave. This is- It's too much, Millais, it's too much. I can't think with you here... I need time.' Her voice was breaking, her legs trembling. Ethel felt she might collapse at any moment, and she knew she had to get out of there fast. Seeing him, knowing how close he was to her, was completely over-whelming her. She just wanted to run.

'Please, Ethel. Let's not leave it like this,' Millais begged, his whole body aching to pull her closer. She was hurting, and as a doctor, it seemed only right that he was the one to heal her.

However, she shook her head, her mouth clamped shut, and he knew there would be no changing her mind right now.

'All right. You know where to find me.'

With these fairly neutral parting words, he left, and Ethel was left alone to contemplate a very lonely future...

*OK, so I know this was supposed to be the last part, but it seems I am rather addicted to this storyline now! Sorry if I'm dragging it out, but I simply cannot part ways just yet. One more chapter?*