The End of a Marriage (Colette and Matheo) novel Chapter 197

Chapter 197

The study felt heavy with unspoken promises, but Graham’s resolve

was steady. This place, this life, had been his father’s legacy, and now

it was his to uphold. And for Isla, it was his duty to ensure that

Thornfield Manor remained a place she could always call home.

The knock at the study door startled Graham from his thoughts.

“Master Graham?” Edwin’s familiar voice carried a tone of urgency.

“Come in,” Graham said, already on edge. “What is it?”

Edwin entered, his expression grim, followed by Maggie, who looked

as though she might collapse under the weight of her worry. Before

Graham could ask, Maggie blurted out, her voice trembling, “We can’t

find Isla.” Tears welled in the older woman’s eyes, her hands

clutching a handkerchief as though it were her lifeline.

“Poor girl,” Maggie continued, her voice breaking. “God knows what’s

going on in her little head. She’s been so quiet, so withdrawn since

Master Robert’s passing. I don’t think she can take this grief, Master

Graham. He was her world, her only family after her mother passed.

Now, she’s all alone. I’m terrified she might do something…

something rash.” Maggie’s voice cracked, her tears spilling over. “We

don’t know where she’s gone, and I fear the worst.”

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Chapter 197

Graham’s heart dropped. Isla’s unusual behavior the day before-

slipping away from the church, walking miles alone, barely eating-

flashed through his mind. Something was deeply wrong, and now she

was missing. A thread of dread curled tightly around his chest.

“Edwin,” Graham said sharply, rising from his chair. His voice carried

a calm authority, but inside, his thoughts were racing. “Take out the

car. We’re going to look for her. She can’t have gone far.”

Edwin nodded and turned to leave, but Maggie caught Graham’s arm.

“Please, Master Graham,” she whispered, her eyes pleading. “Find her.

She’s just a child in so many ways, even if she won’t admit it.”

“I will,” Graham promised, the weight of her words sinking into him.

As he stepped outside, Vanessa was waiting in the garden. She turned

to him with a bright smile, twirling a strand of her perfectly styled

hair. “Oh, Graham, are you finished? Can we go see the horses now?

You promised you’d teach me to ride today,” she said with a playful

giggle.

Her lightheartedness grated against his raw nerves. “No time,” he

said curtly, brushing past her. “Isla’s missing. Edwin and I are going

to look for her.” He didn’t wait to see her reaction as he headed for

the car.

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Chapter 197

The drive through town was tense, silence filling the vehicle save for

Edwin’s occasional questions to passersby. They checked the park,

where Isla often sat to sketch, and the pond where she used to watch

the ducks as a child. They stopped at the home of one of her few

friends, but no one had seen her. Graham knocked on neighbors‘

doors, asking if anyone had noticed a young woman wandering by, but

each response left him more frustrated.

By the time they circled back toward the creek, the sense of unease

gnawing at Graham had grown into full–fledged fear. The afternoon

sun climbed higher, casting long shadows across the ground as they

scanned the familiar landscape for any sign of her. Edwin, usually

unshakable, suggested hesitantly, “Perhaps we should notify the

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