Nate kills the engine and sits back. “Do you want me to wait here?”
I meet Nate’s gentle gaze. “Can you come with me, please?” He nods, and we both get out of the car.
The house looms; it’s dark, dismal, and devoid of all life. The darkness seeps into every corner as my heart rate spikes and my palms feel clammy. I slow my steps. I’ve been here before, since everything happened, but now, because this will be the last time, it feels like the door to my past is closing while the door to my future is opening.
This was supposed to be my forever home, the place where I’d welcome Pete home after a long day at work and where we would raise our children, and I can’t help but be thankful we never made it that far. What would I do if I were tied to him for the rest of my life? But now it’s just bricks and mortar and nothing special.
“You okay?” Nate’s words are whispered, but I jump out of my skin as if he had shouted them.
I slow my breathing. “Yeah. I’m okay, just thinking.”
My hand shakes as I pull the key from my bag. I keep missing the keyhole until Nate’s hand covers mine, and he guides the key into the lock. I turn the key, and the click is louder than I remember, the sound slamming into me.
The first thing I do is look down. No letters, and I breathe a sigh of relief. The air is stale and musky, and a light coating of dust covers the banister and the table in the hallway. The lights flicker to life as Nate presses the switch. I don’t take my coat off, instead walking purposefully to the kitchen before I lose my nerve. The envelope is right where I left it, so I snatch it up.
Nate follows, and I turn to him, holding out the envelope. “I want this added to my list. I want the courage to open it and read it, and then I want to burn it.”
He turns it over in his hands, reads my name and address, and in the corner of the envelope, reads the name of the psychiatric hospital where Pete resides. He meets my eye. “Is this from Pete?”
I nod. “Yeah. I don’t know too many psychopaths.” I shrug and force a laugh that sounds too shrill even to my ears.
“You haven’t read it yet.” It’s not a question. “Do you want me to hold onto it for you?”
“Please.”
He folds the envelope in half and puts it in his back pocket before striding to me and wrapping me up in a hug. He whispers in my ear, “I get it.”
I hope he does, and I hope I’m doing the right thing by letting Nate in.
Chapter 13
Nate
Last week, Hayleigh handed me the envelope and asked me to hold onto it, which I have, but I don’t half wish I knew what was written inside. I wonder if Emmy knows anything about it? I don’t want to text her directly and risk breaking Hayleigh’s privacy, but I also need to know whether Hayleigh has told her. Biting my lip, I pick up my phone and open the group chat.
Me
Cas, has Emmy mentioned a letter or envelope to you at all?
That’s it, Nate, be vague, that way you’re not breaking anyone’s confidence.
Cas
How do you know about that envelope?
Shit.Well done, dipshit. Now he knows you know something.My mind whirls as I think of something to say.
Me
I found it…
Arch
Ooh, what envelope is this? Also, Nate, we need milk. Didn’t I tell you not to leave empty bottles in the fridge?
Me
That wasn’t me, and mind your business
