Chapter 5
The envelope was sealed.
I wanted to open it immediately.
But I did not.
It belonged to Rosie.
Not to my grief.
The police took photos, logged it, and released it back to me after documentation.
Bethany was charged with misdemeanor assault and possible theft pending review.
My father was cited for reckless endangerment.
He shouted until the officers warned him to stop.
I watched him turn red with rage and thought, How did I spend my whole life calling this strength?
My mother followed me to the driveway.
“Mark, please. Don’t destroy this family.”
I opened Rosie’s car door.
“She was never safe in this family.”
“That isn’t fair.”
I turned.
“Fair was Elena writing letters for her daughter and dying before she could read them. Fair was my child coming to dinner in a velvet dress and leaving with bruises.”
Mom broke.
“She reminded Bethany of Elena.”
“What?”
Mom covered her mouth.
I stepped closer.
“Say it.”
Her eyes filled.
“Bethany hated Elena. She always thought Elena took you away.”
“Elena was my wife.”
“And Bethany never accepted that.”
A cold thought moved through me.
“Elena’s letters didn’t disappear by accident.”
Mom did not answer.
That was answer enough.
At home, I searched the attic.
Old boxes.
Baby clothes.
Elena’s winter coat.
Her wedding shoes.
Then behind a loose panel near the chimney, I found a shoebox.
Inside were five letters.
Not all.
But some.
And one small USB drive.
May you like
On it was a sticky note in Elena’s handwriting.
If Mark finds this, I was right to be afraid.
