As Elizabeth finished speaking, Eliana couldn't hold back her tears any longer. Lowering her head, she struggled to contain her emotional turmoil. After a moment, she managed to choke out, "I know I messed up. I'm responsible for Samuel's condition, but I can make it up to him. I have a way to save him."

Looking back up at Elizabeth, Eliana asked, "Elizabeth, you're lying to me, aren't you? Samuel isn't getting married—he won't marry someone else, right?"

When Elizabeth heard ...