For the first time since the apocalypse happened, Jessilynn questioned her faith.

How could God bring Philip into her life only to take him away? And why grant them a child only to leave him fatherless?

Tears streamed down her face as she watched the black warrior woman and the rugged archer keep their weapons trained on Philip's bowed head while they quietly talked between themselves, sparing glances in her direction.

"Please, spare him! My son needs his father!" Jessilynn pleaded as she hurriedly unwrapped Carter to display him with hopes of imploring them to let Philip go.

Carter continued to bawl until his mother freed him and raised him to her shoulder, trying to soothe him by patting his back.

Daryl and Michonne were torn between avenging their group's suffering and heeding a mother's appeal.

They hardly recognized the man before them, kneeling in a submissive posture. The Governor seemed like a changed man, but they had been fooled before and were leery as to whether this might be another his ploys.

The woman genuinely seemed to have a bond with the Governor, and if she were to be believed, it was the Governor's son in her arms. Daryl mentally did the math and calculated that the baby could indeed be the Governor's.

So did they let the man go on the woman's word? Could they trust he wouldn't return in another show of force?

They had repeatedly looked for him after he attacked the prison but never found him. He apparently had chosen to settle down and live quietly with this woman.

Philip waited for Michonne's blade to strike or Daryl's arrow to pierce but neither came. He could hear Jessilynn weeping and Carter wailing.

Was he being truly absolved for all the atrocities he'd done? Could he actually be redeemed?

"Why should we spare 'em? He held hostage and tortured our friends, murdered my brotha and others then attacked our compound in an attempt to kill the rest of us includin' women and children," Daryl told the white blonde as she situated the baby against her shoulder.

"He deceived us all. When I tried to leave, he wouldn't let me. We fought and I'm the one who gouged his eye," Michonne added.

Jessilynn's lip trembled as she glanced at Philip. He had repeatedly tried to confess his offenses to her and she had refused to hear them, unwilling to let his past taint their present.

"Philip? Is what they say true?" she beseechingly asked, even though she knew the answer.

"They tell you the truth, darlin'," he admitted, lifting his head to look at her and Carter. "Before I found you, I lived a wicked, wretched life. I coveted power, controlling what I could and destroying what I couldn't. When I met you, I realized I had forgotten what it was like to love and be loved."

Philip shifted his gaze to Michonne and Daryl.

"I can't undo what has been done. I know there is no way you can forgive me. I know I have no right to ask for a pardon. I know I deserve to die for what I've done," he said. "But I will ask you again to shelter and protect my wife and son. Please don't make them pay for my sins."

Daryl dropped his crossbow to his side and Michonne lowered her katana. Neither of them could stomach the idea of slaying an obviously reformed man.

"I can't promise our group won't kill ya on the spot if they cross paths with ya in the future," Daryl told him as he motioned for the Governor to stand. "We're not even gonna tell 'em we found ya."

Michonne sheathed her sword before popping open the car's trunk and retrieving a gas can that was half full. She handed it to the Governor, her eyes narrowed, as he gratefully accepted it.

"We're only doing this because of the child," she heatedly said. "Don't make me regret not beheading you when I had the chance."

Jessilynn walked to Daryl as he opened up the car door and tossed his crossbow in.

"Thank you," she managed to whisper. He glanced at her and shook his head.

"Like Michonne said, we're only doin' this for yer son. We won't be so nice the next time," he replied. Jessilynn nodded as she hurried to the truck.

Philip poured the gasoline into the tank and then returned the gas can back to Daryl.

"Thank you," he said, pausing. "I know you probably don't believe me, but I'm sincerely sorry … for everything. Your brother was a good man and I betrayed him."

Daryl said nothing and only glared at him.

Michonne watched as the Governor got into the truck cab and drove away.

"I hope we did the right thing by letting him go," she said.

"You and me both," Daryl replied as the truck disappeared over the horizon.