Chapter 16 - THE LETTER
Three months later, a letter arrived. From the prison. Addressed to me.
I opened it in my study.
> Dear Adrian,
>
> I am writing this because there are some things I could not say in court. Some things I could not say to your face.
>
> Thank you. For listening. For giving my brother justice. For undoing what your father did. You are nothing like him. Clara saw it. The girls see it. And finally… I see it too.
>
> I am sorry. For Clara. For the baby. For the fear I put your daughters through. For the lies. For the poison. For everything.
>
> Tell Olivia she was right. About everything. Tell Lily I am sorry I scared her. Tell them both… that I loved them. Truly. And that I am sorry I wasn’t strong enough to be the mother they deserved.
>
> I will spend the rest of my life thinking about what I did. And praying… that one day… you will find it in your heart to forgive me. Even a little.
>
> Live well, Adrian. Love your girls. And remember… Clara is watching over all of us.
>
> Sincerely,
> Elena
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I folded the letter carefully and placed it in a box beside Clara’s photographs. Beside the locket. Beside the memories.
I would not reply. Not yet. But I would keep it. For the girls. So one day, when they were old enough… they could read it. And understand.
