CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED THIRTY SEVEN - Old Enemies Return to Haunt

"You see," Elizabeth continued, "Uncle Thomas didn't abandon Isabella willingly. He was forced to leave by his father, who had accrued massive gambling debts. The creditors threatened to harm Isabella if Thomas didn't help pay off the debt. So he left, believing it was the only way to protect her." Lucas frowned. "But he came back, didn't he?" Elizabeth nodded. "Yes, as soon as he had raised enough money to clear the debt. But by then, it was too late. The accident had already happened." Ella's heart ached for the star-crossed lovers. "What happened to Thomas after Isabella's death?" "He was never the same," Elizabeth said softly. "He blamed himself for everything. He threw himself into charity work, trying to atone. But he never loved again. Grandmother said he died with Isabella's name on his lips." As they drove home, Ella and Lucas were quiet, processing all they had learned. "We know the full story now," Lucas said finally. "But how do we use this information to help Isabell