If my memory serves me right... I do think Bella did say something like "I forgive you" along with "please come home" in a monolog (forgot from which EP).
If my brain didn't make things up, then James was prolly like cheated at some point leading to a fight between Bella and James. James then moved away, breaking any contacts.
It would also explain why Bella despises cheating and refuses to give into debauchery(easily lol).
Again can someone points out that my brain is creating false memory about it?
Bella does say something like that.
Some violence happened at Bella's. Not saying she was to blame, but the only reason I can think to explain her cabinet being at an angle is that it is covering something. I think blood.
One theory is she killed James. That could tie in with the concept of her forgiving him and wanting him to come home but knowing he can't. Would be a bit to misleading IMO.
Another theory is that James was abusive and they had a fight. She injured him in self defence, he's in a comma or maybe a mental institution.
A third, The picture from the Study is a family portrait. The fatigues are actually hunting fatigues, not army. Kid shoots self. James leaves, is arrested, goes to mental institution.
A fourth is that James is MIA or KIA in the army. She was angry with him shipping out, they fought. He never came home. This doesn't exlain the wonky cabinet.
There are some more extreme thoeries that he is hanging in her locked room (as in he hanged himself). This is written off because of the smell, and again wouldn't explain the cabinet.
I think there are 3 factors clearly related to James. 1. The cabinet on a wonky angle. 2. The mannequin in the army fatigues. 3. is the picture on the floor in Bella's study.
Here is the theory i'm going to go with. Locked room contains James' stuff. Including the picture that was taken down and his uniform on a mannequin. The picture is him in uniform. James had PTSD and hurt himself or Bella, he is locked up in an institution. I also like the kid theory, but this is largely based on the old kids books, which honestly could just be DAS assets.