The Letter Ethan Never Sent
Chapter 03 - The Letter Ethan Never Sent
Ethan wanted to ask a thousand questions.
Only one came out.
"Why now?"
Lily looked hurt.
"Because before she died, my mother made me promise I'd find you."
She explained that Sarah had spent her final months battling cancer. During her last week, she gave Lily a small metal box.
Inside were photographs, an old motorcycle key, and Ethan's name.
There was also a letter.
Lily placed it on the table.
Ethan recognized Sarah's handwriting immediately.
He opened it.
"Ethan, if Lily is standing in front of you, then I'm gone. Before you decide to hate me, please know that leaving you was never my choice."
Ethan stopped.
Ray leaned forward.
"What does that mean?"
Ethan continued reading.
Sarah wrote that someone had threatened her.
Someone who knew Ethan.
Someone who convinced her that if she stayed, Ethan would go to prison—or worse.
The letter ended with one sentence.
"The person who destroyed us was closer to you than either of us realized."
Ethan lowered the page.
Ray's face had gone pale.
Lily noticed.
"So you know something."
Ray immediately shook his head.
"No."
But Ethan had known Ray long enough to recognize a lie.
He slowly turned toward his oldest friend.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Ray stood.
"Ethan, not here."
"Sit down."
"Ethan—"
"Sit down."
Ray looked from Ethan to Lily.
May you like
Then at the photograph between them.
And for the first time in twenty years, Ethan saw fear in his best friend's eyes.
