Chapter 25 - The Letter That Waited Seven Years
No one spoke as Detective Harris examined the old envelope.
The paper had yellowed with age, but the seal remained intact.
Eleanor Brooks folded her hands tightly.
"I promised her I would never open it."
"You kept it all this time?" Harris asked.
The retired nurse nodded.
"She told me that if she couldn't come back herself, one day Ethan would."
Ethan stared at his mother's handwriting.
It was unmistakable.
She used to leave little notes inside his lunchbox before school.
Even after all these years, he recognized every curve of every letter.
His hands trembled.
"I don't know if I'm ready."
Harris looked at him quietly.
"You don't have to open it right now."
Ethan took a slow breath.
"No."
"I've waited long enough."
With careful fingers, he broke the seal.
Inside were three folded pages.
A small brass key.
And a faded photograph.
The photograph showed Ethan and Maya asleep together on a hospital sofa.
Standing in the background was their mother.
She wasn't looking at the children.
She was looking toward someone outside the frame.
Someone she clearly feared.
Ethan unfolded the first page.
His mother's handwriting filled every line.
My dear Ethan...
If you are reading this, then I was unable to protect you the way I promised.
He stopped reading.
Tears blurred the ink.
Dr. Lewis quietly placed a hand on his shoulder.
After several moments, Ethan continued.
Never believe that I abandoned you.
Everything I did was to keep you and Maya alive.
The room fell completely silent.
He turned the page.
There are people searching for something they believe belongs to Maya.
Detective Collins slowly looked toward Harris.
Neither man interrupted.
Ethan's voice grew weaker.
You must never let anyone convince Maya to remember her earliest years.
The final sentence stopped everyone cold.
Because if she remembers... they will come for her again.
The brass key slipped from Ethan's hand onto the floor.
No one noticed.
May you like
Everyone was staring at the letter.
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