Chapter Twenty-One

Nolan

Monday, August 5th 1:43 PM

"I hope you like your headstone. It took us forever to decide on what to do. Aaron thought that it should say Jane Ransom and I thought that it should say Jane East. He said it deserved to say Ransom because we were married and that's what you would have wanted, but I guess we'll never know.

"I... Jane, there was something I wanted to read to you the day we buried you, but I couldn't do it. Not with Liam becoming aware of what happened to you, so if you have some time I wanted to read it to you today. I added some stuff to it too.

"Well, here it goes.

"'My Dearest Love,

I'm sorry that we never got to take that walk on the beach. I'm sorry that we never even made it to the bathroom. I'm sorry that you suffered and I'm sorry that I couldn't save you.

You were the most amazing thing that ever happened to me, and I selfishly wanted to do anything I could to keep you here for as long as I could. I was blind to your pain and suffering and I'll never forgive myself for it.

I can only hope that wherever you are, you still love me and know in your heart that I will always love you.

No one will ever take your place, and I'll carry the memory of you forever in my heart.

I never truly thanked you for coming into my life. I may have only known you for a short time, but it was the most amazing time of my life.

Stella told me that she'll take care of Liam, so you won't have to worry about either of them.

Liam wanted me to tell you that he's not mad anymore. He understands now that you couldn't say goodbye and he wants you to know that he's sorry for being mad.

Aaron and Jessie are doing a little bit better. They kept your wheelchair and put it in your room. No one's allowed to go in there; it's exactly the way you left it.

Mom and Dad visit them every day and sometimes I go over there too.

Sadie visits me sometimes. She wants to make sure that I'm okay and that you know that she never forgot you.

I just wanted to end this by saying that the world was a lucky place to have you in it, and that twenty-one years of Jane was more than enough for it.

But it will never be enough for me.

I love you so much."

I put the paper back into my pocket and looked up at the sky as a cool breeze went by.

Wherever she was, I knew she had heard me.

___

"The atmosphere is dark and ominous, and there's seemingly no escape from the monster. But the question is, who is the real monster?" – USA Today Bestselling Author Ellie Midwood