The room contained old photographs, carefully arranged books, and boxes of documents that had not been opened in years. On the desk stood a framed photograph of Edward and Margaret taken on their wedding day.
They looked young, hopeful, and completely unaware of everything life would eventually ask of them.
While sorting through the desk, Amara noticed a small drawer that would not open.
She searched nearby cabinets and eventually found a little tin containing several old keys.
One of them fit.
Inside the drawer were bundles of letters tied with faded ribbons. Most were addressed to Edward and written in Margaret's familiar handwriting.
Amara hesitated before touching them. These were private memories, and she had no desire to intrude on the life Edward had shared with his late wife.
Then she noticed a separate envelope.
Her own name was written on the front.
Amara.
She stared at it in disbelief.
The letter appeared to have been written only a few months before her wedding to Edward.
How could Margaret have known about her?
With trembling hands, Amara opened the envelope.
The letter began with a simple greeting, followed by words that made her stop breathing for a moment.
If you are reading this, I am no longer here. And if you have become part of Edward's life, I want you to know something.
Amara sat down slowly.
The letter continued: