but how could i hate her?

she's such an angelbut then again, kindawish she were dead

Gilbert rubbed the back of his sweaty palms on his trousers, an anxious look on his face as he looked at Winifred, a pang of guilt as he watched her clean away the tears that fell from her blue eyes. "It takes a lot to astonish me. Well done, you've managed it." her words were sharp and bitter, but she didn't hate him. Only wished she was on the receiving side of his love. "Since you've been so irrepressibly cavalier with my heart, I feel like I have a right to ask; just how long have you known you never intended to marry me?"

Her eyes met his for the first time that afternoon, and she saw that it did indeed hurt him knowing that he hurt her. But she needed answers, answers that would maybe make her feel better, answers that could make her blame him and not feel like she wasn't good enough. "I'm really sorry I didn't realise before, but I swear I didn't mean to hurt you. I do care about you-"

"But not as much as for a certain someone?" she interrupted, and when she got no answer, she knew that was she had said was true. "It's Amelia, isn't it?" she shook head, as if she mentally insulted herself for not noticing before. "I mean, it can't surprise me. The way you always looked at each other. But I just told myself that if you really liked her, you would've been with her already."

"I'm so sorry, Winnie."

"Did she argue bitterly that some childhood promise was implied? Did she beg you, weeping?" Gilbert frowned, licking his dry lips. "She didn't know about us when....she gave me option to choose." Winifred scoffed, before inhaling as she tried to calm herself down. "I'm just so..." she trailed off, without finishing her sentence as million of thoughts clouded her judgement. "Especially your talk with my father the other night...."

Winnie widened her eyes, her bottom lip trembling. "God, my mother was so sure she arranged a meeting with the minister. Why on earth did you lead me on and make me believe you loved me?"

"You can only know something when you know it. Not a minute before. The minute I knew my heart for sure, I came to you to reveal it. Wouldn't it have been worse if I had told you a week from now? Or a year?" Winifred stayed silent for a moment, grasping his reply as she realised that the heartbreak would have been bigger further along the road. That didn't mean it hurt her any less.

"When's the happy day?" Gilbert blushed, raising his eyebrows. "I...haven't told her yet." Winifred let out a dry chuckle, disbelief on her face. She stood up, trying to get away from him as she looked out the window, the rays of sunshine outside betraying what she was feeling. "At least promise me that you won't tell anyone what as transfired until I get my affairs in order. Everyone expected our engagement...I'll book passage overseas. Can you give me two weeks?"

"I promise." and with that, Winifred left the room.

[ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ]

Amelia numbly knocked her knuckles on the white painted door. Not long passed before the door swung open, revealing a small dark-skinned elderly woman with a strict look on her face. "Can I help you?"

"You must be Mrs Lacroix, Bash's mother! It's splendid to meet you." Amelia shook her hand, pointed with her head inside. "May I come inside?" she brushed by the older lady, leaving her jacket on the kitchen table as she smiled at the confused Mrs Lacroix. "Is Gilbert home?" she shook her head, parting her lips as so. "No, Mr Blythe went out to see some girl." Amelia nodded, assuming it was Winifred.

This could be it. The day where she'd know if she ended with the love of her life or not. It seemed improper to just wait. "Well, I'll just leave him a note." she picked up a piece of paper and a pen that already sat at the table and sat down. Distant cries where heard suddenly. "I need to go take care of the baby..." Amelia nodded, a bright smile on her face.

"Of course, don't let me keep you. I'll make myself out. Please give Delphine a kiss from me." Mrs Lacroix nodded and left the room, surprised by her politeness and urge to leave a note, but didn't question it, as she had bigger matters to attend to.

Amelia bit the end of the pen for a few seconds, considering what to say. This could be the last chance of her leaving a mark, or giving an impact. But soon she started scribbling, and didn't pause or hesitate once.

Dear Gilbert,

This can seem a bit out of the blue, but I assume your decision will be made soon, so I really needed to get some things of my chest. No matter what you choose, I hope we can still be friends, and keep in touch. You mean the world to me, and not knowing how my best friend is doing is painful. So please promise me that we'll always write letters to each other without caring about the distance.

I love you. Despite the odds, despite the differences, despite the journey, despite the uncertainty, there is no doubt in my mind. I love you. And that will never change, despite how many years pass or how many people I meet.

Just wanted to let you know I'll always be there for you. Whether it's your highs or your lows. Whether you're half way round the world. I'm only one letter away.

Love, Amy

P.S. pen pals?

She folded the note in two, signing her name on the back of the note. Amelia left the pen on top, avoiding the breeze that came through the window to blow it away. She stood up, grabbing her jacket as she hesitated, before leaving a small kiss on the note.

gif is gilbert telling winifred

so we all know gilbert will (sadly) never read that note, right?

i wanted to put in winifred's perspective, please don't hate her. imagine if you were in her position, you wouldn't be all happy for them, would you?

also, no hate on gilbert either. anne did the same thing in the book (kinda leading roy on, just to turn his proposal down)

i'm not going to put any question as they failed in the last chapter.

if you want to know more about our dear amelia covey (or other characters) head to my MEET MY OC'S book! you won't regret it!!