Chapter 19 - THE UNOPENED LETTER
That evening, as the orange sun sank beneath the dark ocean horizon, the family sat around the dinner table.
Laughter and light conversation filled the warm room.
Julian was telling a story about building the cradle, making Maya laugh aloud.
Richard poured glasses of fresh juice for everyone, enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
After dinner, Julian went out to the balcony to clear his head in the night breeze.
Richard joined him, leaning against the wooden railing beside his son.
"You've been quiet all evening, Julian," Richard observed gently.
Julian pulled a small, thick envelope from his back pocket.
It was sealed with red wax, stamped with the emblem of the state penitentiary.
"A guard handed this to me outside the courthouse three days ago," Julian revealed.
"It's from her," Julian whispered. "From Victoria."
Richard looked at the envelope, his jaw tightening slightly.
"Did you read it?" Richard asked.
"No," Julian answered, shaking his head.
"I was too afraid of what poison she might have written inside."
Richard took the letter from Julian's hand and looked at the harsh red wax seal.
"She spent her whole life using words to divide and destroy us, Julian," Richard said calmly.
"Whatever is inside this envelope, it only has power if you let it open."
Julian looked at his father, then at the bright lights glowing inside the living room.
Through the glass, he could see Maya cradling her baby, laughing with Jax.
Julian smiled, a sense of total freedom washing over his soul.
He took the unopened letter back from Richard's hand.
Without saying another word, Julian struck a match against the balcony rail.
He held the flame to the corner of the paper envelope.
The thick paper caught fire quickly, bright yellow flames consuming the red wax seal.
Julian dropped the burning letter into a clay pot on the deck, watching it burn to white ash.
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"Her story ends here," Julian declared softly.
"Our story begins now," Richard agreed, clapping his son on the back.
