"Cari, I''m thinking of sneaking into Horizon Estate and getting rid of him," Violet said after tossing and turning in bed.


    "Don''t be foolish. Plotting against a prince-are you trying to have your entire family implicated?" Carissa nced at her friend. "Are you worried that your family might agree to the marriage?"


    Violet folded her arms behind her head. "I don''t know, but I''m sure my father wouldn''t agree. My grandfather has always doted on me, so I believe he wouldn''t consent either.


    "However, my family is desperate for a high-status marriage to restore their reputation. I''m afraid that the pressure from the rest of the family members might force my grandfather and father into agreeing." "Even if they agree, you wouldn''t marry him," said Carissa confidently.


    "That''s right, I wouldn''t," Violet''s voice was tinged with frustration. "But if the marriage is agreed upon and I refuse, another woman from my family will be married off in my ce. How can I bear to let someone else sacrifice themselves for me, especially if it''s a rtive from my own family?"


    Violet was deeply worried. She wished she could return to the Spencer family''s residence immediately.


    "Do you want to go back?" Carissa asked.


    "I want to, but I can''t. Didn''t Winona leave some of her people in my care? I''ll have ire go instead," Violet decided.


    Carissa sighed and pulled the nket over her head, tears streaming down her face. In the end, she barely slept and was up before dawn.


    Determined to do something, Carissa personally made some oatmeal and carried it to Avis. Maybe due to the fact that her niece was feeding her, Avis managed to eat half a bowl.


    Jasmine noted, "This is actually quite a bit for her. Usually, she can only manage a couple of bites. Without the chicken soup and all those expensive medicinal herbs keeping her alive, she''d probably be gone by now."


    Then, she added, "If her children coulde to see her, there might still be hope."


    "I doubt that will ever happen. Her son can''te, and her two daughters neither dare to offend Lady Fiona nor truly wish to visit," Ivy said.


    Carissa felt a pang of difort and frustration in her heart. As she turned to leave, she bumped into Violet, who was returning from outside. Violet was wrapped tightly in her cloak, with the white fox fur covering her chin. She also had dark circles under her eyes.


    "Where did you go?"


    "I sent a pigeon to ire and asked her to look into it."


    Carissa hummed softly in response.


    Violet smiled bitterly. "I''m worried that if my family agrees to the marriage, we would be considered an aplice in helping Prince Yuvan divorce Lady Avis and putting her in such a tragic state." Carissa remained silent, her heart aching deeply.


    The next day, Rafael and Dn arrived.This content provided by N(o)velDrama].[Org.


    Though they were men, the abbess still allowed Rafael to visit Avis.


    When Carissa saw that her husband


    had braved the snowstorm to reach her, the emotions she had been holding back for days nearly erupted. Tears streamed


    no


    uncontrobly down her face.


    Rafael tenderly wiped her tears and cradled her face. "Let''s go in and see her."


    When Avis saw Rafael holding her niece''s hand, her tears flowed freely. She couldn''t be mistaken-Rafael''s deep affection for Carissa was evident in his eyes, and he couldn''t hide it at all. In fact, he showed no intention of hiding it.


    Previously, Avis had worried that


    e2


    Rafael might be put off by Carissa''s status as a divorced woman. But now, seeing the joy in Rafael''s eyes as he looked at Carissa, she knew he did not hold any such disdain The anxiety in her heart slowly eased.


    "Don''t worry, Aunt Avis. I''ll take good care of Carissa." Rafael assured.


    "I''m not worried anymore," Avis said, deeply touched that Rafael addressed her as "Aunt" as Carissa had done.


    Her joy was overwhelming, and she couldn''t stop the tears from flowing.


    Rafael''s presence was a form of redemption for Avis. She had always felt guilty toward herte sister, but seeing Carissa find happiness in a second marriage, she felt that her guilt would be somewhat alleviated even if she were to die now.


    Her mood improved, as did her appetite. That day, Avis managed to finish a full bowl of oatmeal, giving everyone a glimmer of hope.


    However, Rafael could only stay for


    half a day before needing to return to the capital. After the New Year, celebrations in the capital would be in full swing. The celebrations wouldst for fifteen days, from New Year''s Eve to the day of the Starfall Festival.