Page 298 of When We Fall: Part Two
I was scared to read it, but I was desperate to know her, even if it were only through a few sentences.
I breathed out, tore open the envelope, and pulled out the paper.
My Dearest Rosalie
I fear that I will be gone when you read this. I have spent my life wanting to know you. To hug you. To tell you how much I love you. Every night that I slept, I dreamed of holding you and prayed for your safety.
I love your father so very much, and I love you. I know that he has done his best to give you a good life. He is a good man, even if he is a bit stubborn. Give him grace.
My purpose in writing this to you is to tell you all those things, but it’s also because I have a wish that I hope you can grant me.
Your brother. Dante.
He struggles. He was raised to be a monster, but he has the soul of a troubled angel trapped in Hell. He is a good boy, and I know he will be a good man if his fathercan be dealt with. I have done my best to instill love into Dante’s heart. If I am gone, you are all he will have left.
Please, save him. Love him. Guide him. He can be reckless, but when he loves, he loves hard. He needs you, and I think you need him, too.
Rosalie, my sweet daughter, I will watch over you and protect you as best I can. And in turn, you will take care of your brother and show him what family truly is.
I know you’ve grown to be a beautiful young woman. You’re smart like your father. I knew it the moment I looked into your eyes. You’ll be so talented like he is, too. I hope you both get to make music together. It would make me so very happy. Sometimes, I envision the four of us in a cute little home with a dog. Dad and I would sit on the couch while you and Dante acted out plays and sang for us. We’d laugh and know we made it.
In another life, that’s our life. In that life, I hold you and tell you how much I love you and how proud of you I am.
In this life, all I can do is wish.
There is so much I want to say to you, my darling. Boys. They’re menaces, but you will meet one and love him endlessly. Even the ones who hurt you will be worth it because they will shape you even further. Never hate,Rosalie. Love all because maybe it’s what they’re missing in their lives. Love can change the world. Love with your whole heart and soul. Love as many as you can.
When you’re afraid, remember I’m at your side. When you fall, you will land on your feet, even if it feels like the fall has broken you.
It is with the fall that you learn to fly.
I love you so much, Rosalie. Watch over your brother for me. When he misbehaves, tell him this, “???? ?? ?????? ????? ????? ??????, ?? ??????, ????? ?????? ??????????? ????.”
And if you ever find yourself lost, remember you’re a fighter. You are my daughter, and there is strength in that. Head high, always, my pretty girl. There is nothing in this world that can break you.
I promise.
Love you always,
Mom
I sniffled as the tears streamed down my cheeks. Carefully, I set the letter aside and pulled out the handful of photos in the envelope. A picture of my real mom stared back at me.
She was breathtaking.
Long blonde hair. Vivid green eyes. Long lashes. My build. And her smile… I wept a little harder, knowing that light had been extinguished.
She was standing on the Mayfair campus next to the fountain. Dad was beside her, his arm around her waist, a smile on his face. They were my age.
I looked at the next photo. It was a picture of her and me right after I was born. She looked so exhausted. Tears in her eyes as she held me. Another photo of her kissing my head.
I moved to the following picture of her and Dante. He was young. He looked so sad. Bruises marred his pale skin. Neither of them was smiling in the image, but he clung to her skirt as he stared at the camera. She appeared to be skinnier. Weaker. Tiny bruises peppered her thin arms. The light was gone from her eyes.
I put the photos back into the envelope and drew in a deep breath as I wiped my eyes.
She was right. I was strong. I was born to be strong. I was born into an unimaginable hell. So was Dante, and he needed me. He was my brother. While strange, if my mother believed I could get through to him, then I believed it too. She knew him better than anyone.
I stood, knowing I needed to leave here and that the only way out was through him.
