Through the Flames (The Lost Letters #1)

Chapter 20

Lilly,

I graduated from the fire academy today.

My whole family came to celebrate. All my aunts and uncles from the Ellis family showed up with streamers and party hats. It meant the world to me to have them there, but despite being surrounded by love, I felt more alone than ever.

Because you weren’t there.

This was supposed to be a moment we shared. Celebrating without you felt wrong in every possible way. The achievement doesn’t mean anything because the one person I was doing it for isn’t even here to share in the excitement.

How do you still hold such a huge piece of my heart?

You know, I tried to date someone new. She was your complete opposite, which I thought was a good thing. She broke up with me a few months ago because she knew she was competing with a ghost.

Is this how the rest of my life will go? Am I destined for a life of loneliness because you took the most important part of me with you when you left?

I should’ve gone after you.

I regret not trying harder to talk to you. Maybe if I did, I’d have gotten the closure I needed to move on. A small part of me still hopes that you’ll come back one day. That you’ll come back to me because you miss me as much as I do you.

It’s a foolish hope. One I don’t allow myself to dwell on, but it’s still there anyway.

Some day in the future, I’ll find the courage to track you down. Until then…

I’m still forever yours,

N