Chapter 12 - THE TRUTH ABOUT DANIEL'S LAST WISH
Clara opened the final letter three weeks later.
For when you fall in love again.
She sat alone at the kitchen table.
The blue-door house was quiet.
Outside, rain tapped against the windows.
She unfolded the paper.
Daniel's handwriting filled the page.
Clara,
If you're reading this, then someone has made you smile in a way you thought you'd forgotten.
I hope you let yourself enjoy it.
I know you.
You'll feel guilty.
You'll wonder whether loving someone else means you didn't love me enough.
Please don't.
What we had was real.
Nothing can take that away.
But your life is still yours.
You deserve mornings that make you excited to get out of bed.
You deserve someone who rolls up your sleeves when you're washing dishes.
You deserve laughter.
And love.
And a future.
I don't want you to spend the rest of your life proving how much you loved me by refusing to live.
You already gave me everything.
Now please give yourself something too.
Love always,
Daniel.
Clara cried for a long time.
Then she called me.
“Nathan?”
“Hey.”
Her voice trembled.
“Can you come over?”
I stood immediately.
“Of course.”
She paused.
May you like
Then whispered:
“I think I'm ready to be happy.”
