Chapter 103 THE LETTER
I stared at the envelope, afraid to pick it up, fearing what was inside... Reluctantly, I opened it and found a hardcover book with our photo from our honeymoon, smiling happily in Cuba. In the image, Patrick was whispering something silly in my ear while hugging me from behind, making me blush and provoking a genuine smile. At the bottom of the envelope, there was a letter addressed to me, written in his elegant handwriting:
“My sweet Elisabeth, if you received this letter, I'm afraid my time has come. You will probably hate me for how I chose to handle this, but I need you to know that I never wanted to hurt or upset you. In a cowardly and selfish way, I decided not to tell you my biggest secret. You had already suffered so many losses and so much pain that it didn't seem fair to put you through another turbulent time.”
“What is Patrick talking about?” I bit my lip, growing nervous with every word, and continued reading.
“I hid the truth about my joining the army. In reality, I discovered an aggressive cancer that spread throughout most of my body, leaving me with little time to live. I felt an urgency to leave my mark on the world before I left, so, foolishly, I joined the war. I know what you're thinking: what a stupid idea. And I completely agree. Thanks to you, I had a glimpse of clarity about life...
Since Gabriel's death, I have lost the will to live. Driven by hatred and a thirst for revenge, I planned to take down Heloise and then take my own life. But then you appeared. That shy young woman at the interview who immediately caught my attention when you walked into the publishing house. Your brilliant mind awakened something inside me that I thought was dead. A burning desire grew in me, and that's why I maintained my insufferable boss persona, being a complete arrogant idiot with you, but it was necessary to keep my distance because everything about you attracted me!
Fate has cruel ways of playing with us. It was when I discovered your secret and your love for writing that you became even more perfect in my eyes. That morning, the prognosis was terrible, my chances of cure had drastically diminished, I was condemned to death, and there was no one to take care of my legacy or keep my son's memory alive. Then you passed by with your elegant posture and determined look, catching the attention of some employees with your enthusiasm for closing another contract and acquiring an author. I will never forget the sparkle I saw in your eyes and the passion you had for my company. At that moment, I realized you were the right person to continue my legacy!
I was a complete idiot for involving you in my arms even before discovering that you loved me. I already loved you, my Lis. Forgive me for hurting you so deeply. I couldn't bear for you to see me so weak and wasting away. I want you to remember me as the man who drove you crazy in many ways and who made you explode in stunning orgasms. The man who loved you deeply and felt grateful for every day by your side. You, Elisabeth, made me the happiest man in this insane world. You brought color to my gray life. Furthermore, you are the woman of my life, and I feel grateful and honored to be able to shout to the four winds that you are my wife and now the guardian of my legacy, for me and for Gabriel!
Please, don't hate me for not telling you the truth earlier. Don't suffer from my departure, or I will have miserably failed to make you happy. I carry in my heart all the memories of our moments together, from the most intimate to everything we shared. I will close my eyes, remembering the soft and smooth touch of your lips, your sweet way of snuggling into my arms, your addictive sweet perfume, your bold, and shy moans, and, of course, your beautiful round and soft butt. These memories will be my comfort in my final moments. I love you, my Lis. Always.”
“How can you be such a pervert at a time like this?” I said, sobbing, sniffling, and wiping my eyes to continue reading.
“You were the most delicious temptation of my life as an apprentice, my beloved wife, Mrs. Morgan. I love you more than anything, and I always will. Don't cry. Live this life with all its intensity, be happy and free, and enjoy pleasure to the fullest. Be happy, free, and have lots of sex. It would be a shame for a woman like you to forgo having orgasms. Even though the idea of someone else touching you in my place infuriates me... Oh, and don't forget, I will come back as a ghost to appreciate you, so don't be scared if some of your pants disappear. You know me, I can't resist you.”
P.S.: I wrote a book about our story for you. I love you, my adorable and eternal apprentice, Elisabeth Lis Morgan.”
I lowered the paper, crying in despair. Furthermore, I picked up the hardcover book, tracing the letters of the title with my fingers: IF LOVE ALONE WERE ENOUGH, THERE WOULD NEVER BE A GOODBYE.
“Patrick, you promised never to hurt me.” I cried, hugging the letter and the book. “Why didn't you let me take care of you? Say goodbye? This isn't fair... You said you would be here to protect me.”
“It's not fair... Everyone I love leaves. How can you ask me to live if the meaning of my life is you, Patrick Morgan?” I sobbed loudly, sliding to the floor with a heavy heart, hugging myself. “Please wake me from this nightmare. I can't go on without you, you idiot CEO!”
The tears fell uncontrollably as the cruel reality of loss hit me hard. Every heartbeat seemed to echo his name, and every breath brought the memory of his smile. I felt lost, directionless, in a sea of pain and longing. How could I move forward without the person who was my compass, my safe harbor?
The seconds dragged on heavily as I tried to process the idea of never seeing his eyes shining with joy again, never feeling his arms lovingly around me, never hearing his voice calling me “my Lis.” The loneliness was overwhelming, and I felt small and fragile in the vastness of life without him.
“Patrick, please... Come back to me. I need you. I love you more than anything.” I whispered into the emptiness, wishing with all my might that this was just a terrible nightmare from which I could wake up at any moment. But deep down, I knew it was the cruelest and saddest reality.