Chapter 75: A Letter and a Realisation
Chapter 75: A Letter and a Realisation
The morning light crept through the curtains, casting a soft glow over Lydia's bedroom. She stirred slowly, stretching her arms across the bed as her fingers blindly searched for her phone. Her brow furrowed as she patted the sheets and found nothing. Sitting up suddenly, a flicker of panic rose in her chest until she remembered—she hadn’t used her phone since returning home the night before.
Rising from the bed, she walked over to the corner where her bag lay and fished out her phone. It was completely dead. She sighed and plugged it into the wall socket, watching the blank screen light up faintly. A familiar quietness settled around her as she stepped into the hallway.
She tiptoed toward Julia’s room and pushed the door open slightly. Julia was still fast asleep, her face nestled into the pillow with the soft rise and fall of calm breathing. Lydia lingered at the door for a few seconds, grateful that at least one of them had managed to find rest.
Padding toward the kitchen, she opened the fridge and scanned the nearly empty shelves. The place lacked its usual liveliness. No aroma of mom’s cooking, no snacks stacked in the cabinets. Everything felt hollow, like the house itself was holding its breath. She opened a few drawers hoping to find something she could take to the hospital, but gave up after a few moments.
Frustrated, she made her way to the living room and sank into the couch, letting her body relax. Her eyes wandered around the space, and then she saw it—the package Julia had brought in yesterday. It was still sitting neatly by the edge of the centre table, untouched.
Curious, she reached over and pulled it toward her. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw the label.
It was addressed to her.
A strange mix of confusion and anticipation bubbled in her chest. She stood up and walked over to the drawer in the hallway, fishing for a key or scissors. Eventually, she used the dull edge of a kitchen knife to slice through the tape. The box opened with a soft crackle.
Inside were a few neatly arranged items—a set of scented candles in elegant glass holders, and a velvet box that contained a beautifully designed perfume bottle. She picked it up and smiled slightly, her fingers grazing the label on the bottle. It smelled warm and soft, a bit like vanilla and something deeper—like sandalwood.
Just as she was about to close the box and toss it aside, something caught her eye at the bottom—a neatly folded letter tucked beneath the inner layer of wrapping. She reached in, pulled it out, and paused.
It smelled just like the perfume.
With hesitant fingers, she unfolded the letter.
Hi My Love Lydia,
I want you to know that I love you so much and I’ll always be here for you through it all. You’re beautiful—inside and out—and I’ve loved you since the very first day I laid eyes on you. You’ve always had this quiet strength and this light that pulls me in. Thank you for being you.
Lydia read the letter twice, then a third time. By the time she reached the end again, tears were silently rolling down her cheeks. She held the paper to her chest and sobbed quietly, trying not to make any noise. It was the sweetest letter she had ever received—so simple, yet so full of emotion and sincerity.
Between breaths, she whispered, “Dennis is so sweet... I can’t believe I ever doubted him.”
She sat there for several moments, letter still in her hand, trying to gather herself. The stillness of the house felt different now, warmer—like his presence had filled the room even from miles away.
Just then, she heard a door creak open upstairs. Quickly, she wiped her tears and stuffed the letter back into the box.
Julia came down the stairs, rubbing her eyes. “Good morning, Lydia,” she said, stretching. “Hope you got enough sleep last night?”
“Yes, I did,” Lydia replied, trying to sound composed and avoiding eye contact.
Julia walked over and sat beside her on the couch. “What time are we leaving for the hospital today?”
Lydia paused. “I’ll be heading out soon, after I take my bath.”
Julia turned slightly to face her. “We’ll go together, right?”
Lydia gave a small shake of her head. “You don’t have to come. I’ll go alone.”
Julia blinked. “No, I won’t let that happen. I promised Mom I’d be with you until she’s back.”
Lydia looked her younger sister in the eyes, more firmly this time. “I understand, but there’s no need for us to crowd the hospital. Dennis’s family is already there. I’ll be fine.”
Julia hesitated but eventually nodded. “Okay... Just be safe.”
Lydia gave her a soft smile, appreciating the concern. Then she stood up and walked back to her room. After a quick shower, she dried off and dressed in a comfortable, simple outfit. Before leaving, she picked up the perfume Dennis had sent and sprayed a small amount on her wrists and neck. The scent made her smile.
She grabbed her bag and reached for her now fully charged phone. There were two missed calls from Melissa and a text:
Hey, what time should we leave for the hospital today? I’d like to come with you.
Lydia sat on the edge of her bed and called Melissa back.
“Hello Lisa,” she said gently.
“Hey, Lydia. I was just wondering what time—”
“I’ll be going to the hospital by myself today,” Lydia interrupted softly. “Dennis’s family is already there, and I don’t want it to be too crowded.”
There was a pause on the other end, then Melissa’s voice softened. “Okay… I understand. But text me if you need anything, alright?”
“I will.”
They ended the call, and Lydia slipped her phone into her bag.
Before leaving, she peeked into Julia’s room one more time, gave her a reassuring look, and said goodbye. Julia waved and wished her a safe trip.
The streets outside were already waking up with the quiet hum of a typical morning. As Lydia stepped out of the house and walked toward the bus stop, she held her bag closer and inhaled deeply. The perfume clung softly to the air around her. Everything still felt uncertain, but somehow—that letter, those words, that scent—they reminded her that love could still feel safe.
And that meant something.