Chapter 10 - Disappearing Act
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An hour later, the sealed envelope arrived via police courier. Detective Lena Morris handed it to me.
My fingers trembled as I broke the faded red wax seal. Inside was a three-page handwritten letter dated nine years ago.
Dear Hannah, the letter began in Thomas Mercer's sharp penmanship.
If you are reading this, then the terrible scenario I feared has likely come to pass. I am writing to a young woman I have only met twice, which I know must seem strange. But in my final months, my mind has become terrifyingly clear about the people I am leaving behind.
I have watched my son, Adrian, become three entirely different men depending on who is standing beside him in the room.
Around his mother, he becomes a frightened, cautious boy, desperate to avoid her rage. Around wealthy friends, he becomes a pretentious flatterer. But around you, Hannah, during the few times I saw you together, he seemed grounded. He seemed like the honest boy I remembered before Vivian corrupted his mind.
I swallowed hard, a tear slipping down my cheek and spotting the paper.
Vivian believes that loyalty means total, unquestioning submission, Thomas wrote. Adrian learned this toxic lesson very early in life. He has mistaken peaceful compliance for true love his entire existence.
My warning to you, Hannah, is simple: Do not allow Adrian’s spineless nature to destroy your light. If you build a life with him, do not let him make you responsible for every difficult decision he is too cowardly to make himself. Because the day will come when pleasing his mother requires him to sacrifice you.
May you like
I lowered the letter onto my lap, staring blankly at the wall.
Thomas had seen everything nine years ago. He had tried to warn me from beyond the grave. And I had ignored every red flag, convincing myself that being a good wife meant keeping the peace at all costs.
