Elena Opens the Envelope
Chapter 10 - Elena Opens the Envelope
That night, Elena took the metal box from the back of her closet.
The envelope was yellow at the edges but still sealed.
Maya sat across from her on the bed.
“You kept that for fifteen years?”
“I promised her.”
“Then give it to Charlotte.”
Elena looked at the envelope.
“I tried.”
“Try again.”
Elena laughed softly, without humor. “She just accused me of stealing a bracelet and had security search my locker.”
Maya reached for her mother’s hand.
“Then maybe this is not about what she deserves. Maybe it’s about who you want to be when this is over.”
The next morning, Elena returned to the Bellmont carrying the envelope.
Noah met her near the employee entrance. His face looked exhausted.
“I need to tell you something,” he said.
He explained the access logs, the disabled camera, and the card.
Elena listened without interrupting.
When he finished, she asked, “Do you believe she planted it?”
Noah did not answer immediately.
“I believe someone with her card opened your locker.”
“That is not what I asked.”
Noah met her eyes.
“Yes.”
Elena closed her fingers around the old envelope.
“Then she should answer for it.”
“She should.”
“But first,” Elena said, “she needs to read this.”
Noah looked at the name written across the front in faded blue ink.
Charlotte.
May you like
And beneath it, in Margaret Wynn’s handwriting, were six words:
For when you are ready to listen.
