Letter from the Past

I sat on my bed, the light filtering through the sheer curtains, casting a soft glow in the room. It was a typical afternoon, filled with the sounds of laughter from children playing outside and the occasional call of a neighbor. Yet, today felt different. My heart was heavy, and my mind was a whirlwind of emotions. I had stumbled upon a letter from my mother, a letter I never thought I would receive.

As I unfolded the crisp paper, my hands trembled slightly. The familiar handwriting brought back a flood of memories-memories of warmth, love, and, ultimately, pain. I took a deep breath and began to read.

---

Dear Celine,

If you are reading this, it means that I am not there with you, and for that, I am truly sorry. I can only imagine the pain and confusion you must feel right now. I hope you can find it in your heart to understand why I had to leave.

---

Tears welled in my eyes. I had spent so long trying to understand her choices, her absence. Each word resonated within me, echoing the longing I felt for her presence in my life. I had always hoped for a day when she would come back, explain everything, and perhaps even wrap her arms around me. But that day would never come.

---

From the day you were born, you have been my light, my reason to keep fighting. Your laughter used to fill our home with so much joy. But somewhere along the way, I lost myself. I became a shadow of the mother I wanted to be. I want you to know that none of this is your fault. You deserve a mother who is present, loving, and strong, but I wasn't that person. I let my struggles with addiction consume me, and in doing so, I lost sight of what mattered most-my family.

---

I could feel the weight of her words pressing down on me. My mother had always been my role model, and the realization that she had struggled so deeply was both heartbreaking and enlightening. I had been angry with her for leaving, for missing so many important moments of my life. But now, reading her letter, I felt an overwhelming sense of empathy. She was human, after all-flawed and struggling.

---

When I stole that boy's purse, it wasn't about the money; it was about the desperation that gripped me. I thought I could handle it, that I could get what I needed without hurting anyone. But that was a lie. I hurt you, I hurt your father, and I hurt myself. I wish I could take back every moment I was absent, every time I chose my addiction over you. I know I've failed you, and for that, I am so deeply sorry.

---

Her words pierced through the layers of resentment I had built up over the years. I realized how little I understood her struggles. I had always seen her absence as a personal betrayal, but now I could see the bigger picture. She was lost in her battle against addiction, a battle that had claimed not just her life but our family's happiness as well.

---

You are so strong, Celine, much stronger than I ever was. I see you taking care of your father and your little sister, and my heart aches knowing that I am not there to help you. I want you to remember that it's okay to feel angry, to feel abandoned. Your feelings are valid, and you deserve to express them. Please, don't bottle them up
---

I nodded to myself as I read her words. I had always thought that I had to be strong for everyone around me, but now I understood that it was okay to feel vulnerable. My mother had given me permission to grieve, to be angry, and to express those emotions rather than hide them away.

---

I'm writing this letter not just to apologize, but also to tell you that you have the power to break the cycle. You can choose a different path than I did. You can chase your dreams and build a life filled with love and happiness. Please don't let my mistakes define your future. You have so much potential; don't ever doubt that.

---

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her expectations settle upon my shoulders. I wanted to make her proud, to rise above the struggles that had defined our past. But could I really break free from the cycle? My mother's voice echoed in my mind, urging me to believe in myself.

can't predict what will happen next, but I want you to know that I am proud of you. I am proud of the young woman you are becoming. You are capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. If you decide to give Ethan a chance, do so because you believe in it, not out of fear or obligation.

---

My heart swelled with a mix of sadness and hope. I had spent years wishing for my mother's approval, and now, even from afar, she was giving it to me. I needed to take this opportunity to reflect on my life and the decisions I was making. I was no longer just a girl lost in her mother's shadow; I was a woman ready to embrace my own path.

---

I wish I could be there to guide you through this time in your life, to watch you grow and flourish. Remember, you are never alone. Even though I'm not physically present, I will always be watching over you. You have the strength to create a beautiful life, and I believe in you wholeheartedly.

---

As I finished reading the letter, tears streamed down my face. I felt a cathartic release-a mixture of grief, understanding, and newfound determination. My mother might not have been physically present, but her words felt like a warm embrace. They wrapped around me, offering comfort and guidance.

---

Take care of your father and sister. They need you now more than ever, just as you need them. Please forgive me for my absence and the pain I caused. I hope one day you can understand my choices, even if they were wrong.

---

With the last lines lingering in my mind, I made a silent promise to myself. I would take care of my family, but I would also pursue my own happiness. I would no longer let the shadows of the past define me. I would be brave enough to seek out my dreams and face the future with open arms.

As I looked out of the window, the sun breaking through the clouds, I felt a sense of peace. My mother may not be here, but she would always be a part of me-a guiding light as I navigated the journey ahead. I was ready to step into my future, ready to grow and flourish, just as she had always wanted.

Sitting alone with my mother's letter, I could feel a storm brewing inside me. My heart raced as I read her words, each one pulling me back to memories I'd held onto tightly, sometimes without even realizing. She had left, and for so long, I'd only focused on what that had done to me. But now, through her words, I was seeing the truth from her side-the pain and struggle she had carried.

Her message was clear: she wanted me to live a life of my own choosing, free from the burdens she'd faced. And yet, it didn't lighten the ache of her absence. There I was, on the brink of marrying Ethan, about to start a new life that would take me away from everything I'd known, and suddenly, I felt more conflicted than ever.

The villagers, too, had mixed feelings. Some shared in my joy, and I could feel their warm support as they wished me happiness with Ethan. These were the people I'd grown up with, the ones who'd seen me through my most difficult days, who knew how much I had sacrificed to keep my family afloat. In their eyes, this marriage was a promise of security, a way for me to finally escape the constant struggle. But others looked on with worry, and I could feel the weight of their silent concerns.

As I walked through the village one last time before the wedding, I could sense a deep sadness in some of their faces. They knew that my leaving would mean change, and not all of it for the better. Would the elderly and children I'd helped manage without me? My sister still needed guidance, someone who understood her struggles and fears. I had always been the one to take care of things, even if it meant making choices that weren't easy to justify.

That evening, the doubts overwhelmed me. I didn't know how to reconcile my mother's encouragement to seek my own happiness with the responsibility I felt for the people I loved. And while Ethan promised me a life I'd only dreamed of, I wasn't sure if he could ever truly understand the family I would be leaving behind.

The next morning, Ethan's manager called, eager to whisk me off for a day of shopping. There was something magical in that offer, the idea of slipping into dresses I'd never dared imagine wearing. But even as I thought about the beautiful day ahead, guilt clawed at me. I tried to picture my father, frail and ill, my sister looking at me with wide eyes, and it was like something inside me cracked.

I knew I couldn't go through with it without talking to Ethan. I needed to explain to him what this marriage truly meant to me-not just an escape, but a choice that would change my entire world, and not just mine. Could he understand? Would he want to?

With a shaky breath, I dialed his manager's number and asked to meet him. And as I sat in that busy café, waiting for Ethan, I felt a strange mix of relief and dread. I knew what I had to say, but part of me worried that this would be too much for him to accept. And yet, I couldn't keep going forward without knowing if he'd stand by me in this, not only as my future husband but as a partner who understood the life I was stepping away from.
As I waited in the quiet café, I felt a mix of anticipation and unease. When Ethan finally walked in, his presence was as commanding as ever, but today I had questions that couldn't wait.

"Thank you for coming, Ethan. I needed to talk to you about something important," I said, my voice steady, though my heart was racing.

He smiled slightly, as if he already knew. "Of course, Celine. I understand. After all, this wedding will be a grand affair. The kind that comes with interviews, media attention, and meetings with influential people. Is that what you wanted to discuss?"

His tone was casual, as if everything was already decided. But I hadn't come here for small talk. I needed to know if the promises he made about the shares in his company were real, so I asked him directly.

Ethan looked at me, almost amused, and replied, "Yes, as long as you remain a good wife to me, everything is yours-money, the company, fame. You'll have it all."

His words hung in the air, but I interrupted before he could go on. "Ethan, there's something else I need."

He paused, his expression unreadable. "Look, this marriage will be grand, and you'll live a comfortable life. But if you're hoping for my presence by your side at all times, then let me make it clear: that's not going to happen."

I tried to understand what he meant, nodding as if I did. But inside, I felt a growing confusion.

"This marriage, Celine, is just for show-for the public. Between us, it's more of a business arrangement," he explained. "You could call us partners, but in reality, we're just making a transaction. Think of it as business, nothing more."

I didn't know how to react, but I managed to keep my voice calm as I said, "That's fine. I accept that." After all, this marriage offered me the one thing I'd always dreamed of-security. A way out of poverty.

But then, I couldn't hold back any longer. "What about my family, Ethan? I want to take care of them. You know their situation."

Ethan looked at me thoughtfully before answering, "Your sister's education and upbringing will be my responsibility now. She'll be enrolled in a good school, and there will be two nannies at home to look after her. For your father, I've arranged for two nurses to be available 24 hours a day to take care of him. And the household will be managed with three maids: one to cook, another for cleaning, and the third to oversee everything and make sure your family has everything they need."

As he spoke, I felt a weight lifting from my shoulders. Ethan's words gave me a strange comfort, and in that moment, all my doubts seemed to melt away. I thanked him, genuinely relieved. Finally, I felt a glimmer of happiness, knowing that my family would be safe and looked after.

---

In those few moments, I understood what this marriage really meant. It might not be a marriage of love, but it was the life I had hoped for-a life that would rescue me from the hardships I'd known. And for now, that was enough.