Chapter 43 - The Letter Julianne Never SentDr. Bell's daughter discovered one final envelope while clearing her father's attic.
It was addressed:
ADRIAN.
Julianne had written it shortly before her death.
Adrian opened it with Emma beside him.
My love,
If you are innocent, then I owe you an apology I may never be able to give in person.
If you are guilty, then this letter will never matter.
That is the terrible place fear has left me.
But our daughter has your stubborn chin.
She laughs when she's supposed to sleep.
She reaches for strangers who smile at her.
I hope she keeps that courage.
I hope they never teach her to be afraid of love.
If there is another life after this one, find me before anyone lies to us.
Julianne.
Adrian pressed the page against his chest.
Emma cried openly.
After a while she asked:
“Do you think she knew?”
“Knew what?”
“That you were innocent.”
Adrian reread the letter.
“I think she wanted to believe it.”
Emma nodded.
Sometimes history did not give perfect answers.
Sometimes the people involved died before certainty arrived.
But Julianne's final letter contained something more important than certainty.
May you like
Hope.
She had never completely stopped loving him.
