Chapter 17 - A Letter of Closure
A week after the trial, Elise received a thick envelope in the mail at her new apartment in Portland. She had moved out of state to start completely fresh, landing a job as an events coordinator for a botanical garden.
She opened the envelope. Inside were the official annulment papers, signed by Damien.
Along with the legal documents was a handwritten letter.
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Elise, Signing these papers is the hardest thing I have ever done, but it is the right thing. I realize now that my love for you was real, but my soul was too poisoned by grief and hatred to protect it. You deserve a man who brings you peace, not terror. My parents send their endless love. They talk about you often, and they wish you nothing but happiness. My mother says to tell you that you will always be the daughter of her heart, even if we are not together. I am stepping down from my architecture firm. I am taking some time to travel, to heal, and to try and become the man you thought I was when we first met. I don't expect your forgiveness, but I hope, one day, you can look back on our early days without pain. Goodbye, my beautiful Elise. - Damien.
Elise read the letter twice. A single tear rolled down her cheek, landing on the ink. It wasn't a tear of sorrow, but a tear of profound, peaceful closure. She carefully folded the letter and placed it in a memory box, closing the lid on the darkest chapter of her life.
