I pushed open the door to the media room, and Tina looked up from her seat, her expression somber.
“Antonio, what’s going on?” she asked as I approached.
I took a deep breath, trying to process the chaos inside me. “Tell me everything, Tina. What’s happening with Kendra?”
Tina’s eyes locked onto mine, and I knew my world was about to shatter.
“She’s gone, Antonio. She left for Alaska this morning.”
My world stopped. Alaska?
“What do you mean she’s gone?” I demanded, panic rising in my chest.
“She only packed a box and said she’d be back after some weeks, but I’m not so sure about that. She looked like she wasn’t coming back… I mean, what’s there to come back to?”
I staggered into the chair in front of me. “What about her job? Me?”
“You shut her out and frustrated every attempt she made to reach you. And she could always get another job over there. This one made her lose you. She couldn’t bear the pain.”
I ran my hand through my hair in frustration. What had I done?
Tina held out an envelope. “Here. She left this for you. I was supposed to ensure it gets to you.”
I took the envelope, my hands shaking. I opened it and pulled out the contents: a handwritten letter, several documents, and what appeared to be an agreement.
My heart raced as I unfolded the letter and began to read:
Dear Antonio,
I’m writing this with a heavy heart, knowing I’ve hurt you deeply. There are no excuses, no justifications, and I understand if you can never forgive me.
But I have to ask for your forgiveness one more time. I apologize for investigating your mother without your knowledge and confronting her.
This was the only thing I could do to keep her from harming you again. That’s why I’ve included some documents in this envelope. Eve has agreed to leave your family alone. If she breaks this agreement, the other documents can serve as proof to get rid of her. You can use them to ensure she never bothers your family again.
I know this won’t erase the pain I’ve caused, but I hope it brings some peace.
Goodbye, Antonio. I hope you find the closure you deserve. And most importantly, I hope you find true love—the kind that heals and uplifts.
Yours always,
Kendra.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I finished reading. Kendra’s words cut deep.
I looked up at Tina, my voice barely above a whisper. “When did Kendra get these?”
Tina’s expression was somber. “Kendra began gathering those after she left your house. She wanted to protect your family.” She took a deep breath and continued. “She wrote half of the story that got published but didn’t want to complete it. So, rather than finish it, she tried to get something to hold over your mother. Something that could get her off your back and ensure Kendra didn’t lose her job. But before the documents came in, that busybody Anne went through Kendra’s system, completed the story, and sent it out.”
A mix of emotions swirled inside me—gratitude, regret, and longing.
“Thank you, Tina,” I said, my voice cracking.
Tina nodded, her eyes sympathetic. “Kendra cared deeply for you, Antonio.”
I looked down at the letter again, Kendra’s words echoing in my mind:
“True love—the kind that heals and uplifts.”
