Page 29 of The Phyre that Burns
“Open it.”
“I’m scared.”
“Open the damn letter, Ginae.”
I propped my phone up on the arm of the couch, picked up the envelope, and held it in front of my phone.
“There’s no name on it,” I said, stalling.
“Ginae.”
“Fine.”
I quickly opened the envelope and removed the folded pieces of paper. I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths before unfolding the papers.
“You don’t have to read it out loud. I’ll be here regardless,” Devyn assured me.
“I’ll read it aloud. It’s from Phyre. I’d recognize his handwriting anywhere.”
“Wow. He took the time to write it by hand? That’s impressive.”
“Tuh. You’re easily impressed, sis.”
“Whatever. You know people don’t handwrite letters anymore. Just read the damn thing.”
My Sweetness,
This may sound crazy, but I love you more today than I ever have. I think about you daily, and you are the shining star in my dreams every single night. I am deeply in love with you, and that will never change.
Every day since the last time I saw you, I’ve prayed for God to bring you back to me. It took longer than I wanted, but I would’ve waited the rest of my life. You being here is no coincidence. It’s answered prayers, and I don’t take it lightly.
Before I continue, I want to apologize. There aren’t enough words to express how sorry I am for hurting you. Please know that it wasn’t intentional, and if allowed, I’ll spend the rest of my days making it up to you.
As you know, I come from a wealthy family, and while I’m grateful to have grown up without financial worries, many sacrifices were made. My parents chose the woman they wanted me to marry when I was a child, and along with her parents, curated almost every key moment of the relationship.
It didn’t seem so bad in my adolescent years. There was an expectation from our families that we’d do certain things as a couple. She was always my date for the hundreds of social events I was required to attend, and it took the pressure off me to ask someone else.
By the time we graduated from high school, I no longer wanted to play the game. I wanted to be free to date whoever I wanted. When I told my parents, they agreed to let me have my fun, but I had to promise to be discreet. They warned me not tofall in love with anyone because Kavia would eventually be my wife.
I should’ve taken them more seriously, but in the moment, I just wanted to do what I wanted to do. Kavia and I still made appearances together when our families required it, but outside of that, we rarely communicated and were free to do our own thing as long as we were discreet.
When I began to fall in love with you, I went to my parents on a few occasions and told them I didn’t want to marry Kavia. The conversation never went well, and I’d leave more frustrated than when I arrived. Our last discussion about it ended with my father threatening to stop paying for medical school if I didn’t go through with it.
It came down to me having to choose between you and becoming a doctor. I only had to think about it for a moment, and I chose you, but I had to figure out a way to pay for school. For the next few weeks, I researched and applied for scholarships and loans.
While I was securing funds to pay for my education, my parents bought an engagement ring and gave it to Kavia. Our engagement party was planned, and the invitations were sent out. Everything moved so fast, and I could barely keep up. I planned to attend the party to call everything off, then come to you and tell you everything. Unfortunately, you found out before I was able to follow through with my plan.
Sometimes the aching in my heart is unbearable because I miss you so fucking much. This week, being in your presence and unable to talk and laugh with you, hold, kiss, and make love to you has all but killed me. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to behave myself. You may be too stubborn to admit it, but I know it’s been hard for you too.
If you can’t forgive me and want to finish your six months, go back home, and continue to pretend like we never happened,I’ll let you do so in peace. It will hurt like hell, but ultimately, I want you to be happy.
If you reach out, I’ll assume it’s because you want us, and I want you to understand that it’s all gas, no brakes. I’m moving full speed ahead to secure our future. We will get married. We will start a family. We will have our happily ever after. Don’t make me wait too long.
I love you, Sweetness.
His nickname for me always made me blush. Tears blurred my vision, and I was surprised the ink hadn’t bled and the pages were still intact, because they were soaked with thirteen years’ worth of tears. After reading the last line, I couldn’t find my words as tears continued to fall.
Devyn gave me the time I needed and remained on FaceTime with me. She didn’t speak until my sobs had slowed, and the first thing she said was, “Wash your face, get some water, and come back so we can talk about how you feel.”
