Audrey,
Did you really think you could just leave town and I'd forget about you? That's not us. That's not how we do it, princess.
I'm going to see about transferring to Caltech for the spring semester. If you're going to ignore me, you can at least do it in person.
Love you, you beautiful pain in my ass.
j
Audrey,
Yeah, I was drunk when I sent that last message but I stand behind it. You're beautiful. And a pain in my ass.
Also, Caltech won't take me until next fall so I'm fucking stuck here.
It would really, really help if you could send some proof of life. If I'm not careful, I'll spiral and convince myself you're locked in a basement somewhere.
Promise me you're not locked in a basement.
Love you,
j
He did lock you in a basement, didn't he? That's why you won't answer me. You're literally being held in a fucking dungeon. It's the only thing that makes sense.
I've always known he was a cruel bastard but this is unreal. I should've realized Cassidy was a co-conspirator.
I don't know what to do but I'll figure something out.
I love you. We'll fix this.
j
Audrey,
The ring came today.
It's yours. You didn't need to give it back.
I guess you're not locked in a basement.
By the way, you said a lot of shit in that note. I'll believe it when you say it to my face.
Love you regardless of your bullshit,
j
I hadto press a hand to my mouth to keep a sob from breaking free. I didn't think I could handle much more of his anguish. I swiped all the way to the end, to the last message.
Audrey,
My mom sent me your engagement announcement today.
Maybe I'm fooling myself but I still don't get it. I've spent four years trying to figure it out and I just don't understand any of it. This isn't who you are and I refuse to believe you woke up one morning and threw away the person I've always known you to be.
I don't know if you're reading this. One of the theories I've nurtured since the start of your disappearing act is that you've had me blocked or muted for years, and I'm just screaming into cyberspace. But if you are reading this and you need help, I'll do anything I can. I don't care how long it's been or what's changed between us. I'll always be there for you.
I think I should probably stop writing to you now.
