Maximilian Morrel had been living in absolute hell for the past twenty-four hours.
Like any person desperately in love, he'd sensed something was wrong. After Valentine's grandmother returned and her grandfather died, he knew the Villefort family would make their move. They'd force Valentine into that arranged marriage she'd been dreading. His gut feeling had been right, unfortunately. Now he stood outside the estate gates, pale and trembling beneath the chestnut trees, waiting for her.
Valentine hadn't expected him at this odd hour. She'd only wandered to their usual meeting spot by chance, or maybe her heart had pulled her there, sensing he needed her. When she heard Morrel call her name, she ran to the gate.
"You're here now?" she asked, confused. "What's wrong?"
"Everything," Morrel replied, his voice tight. "I'm here with bad news, Valentine. Really bad news."
"This house is already drowning in sadness," Valentine said softly. "But tell me anyway. What is it?"
