Thank you for the chapter! 😆
Although the situation seems bad (and it is), I can't help but see it as inevitable if there is to be any chance of their relationship improving. It's pretty clear he would not be able to convince her if things were to remain the same. But with his sudden departure I bet Ellen will realize a whole lot of things, like how much she misses him. And how it's mostly her fault since she didn't have the courage to take even one step forward.