In the evening, Ennis brought a letter and a photo album that was about the size of a hand and roughly an inch thick.
Byron sat there, initially emotionless, not even bothering to lift an eyelid.
As Ennis sat down next to him, an odd, fleeting thought crossed Byron's mind that he might choke Ennis once he was seated.
But as that thought surfaced, a subtle fragrance tickled his nostrils.
Suddenly, Byron seemed grounded, instantly turning to look at what Ennis was handing over. "Ms. Stella wrote you a letter and asked me to deliver this to you."
Byron quickly snatched the letter.
His hands trembling, he opened it.
[Mia took lots of photos during our last camping trip. They're all in this album.]
[I've returned to Girard City. I will visit you when I can.]
[Remember to eat well, sleep well, and think of me often.]
Just these few lines, yet to Byron, they seemed as precious as gems.
Tears, large as beans, fell from his eyes, landing on the words, causing the ink to smudge.
Panicking, Byron quickly used his sleeve to blot the wetness.
Ennis saw all of this.
Who said love was intangible?
Byron's love was very much tangible at that moment.
"Mr. Crawford, have you forgotten the promise you made with your wife when she left?" Ennis gently placed the album before Byron. "Once you recover, once you've overcome these hallucinations, she'll come to take you home. Let's work together and try not to make her wait too long, okay?"
Byron remained silent.
He picked up the album.
The cover artwork was unmistakably drawn by his daughter.
Through their writings and drawings, creators can convey their emotions.
Byron could feel the sheer joy his daughter felt when she created that cover.
He flipped through the album.
The first page showed a selfie of his daughter. One glance and Byron broke into a smile.
But tears continued to roll down.
Beside her, a picture she had taken of their son.
Aiden always seemed so reserved, but he did turn to face his sister's camera.
Flipping further, pictures of nature and wildlife followed.
Then, scenes of their fun-filled camping trip.
But there was no sign of Athena.
Byron scanned to the end, but not a single photo of Athena was found.
His heart sank even more.
"They won't even let me see her in photos?" Byron looked at Ennis, his eyes pleading, reminiscent of a lost puppy in the rain.
"Byron, we need to start treatment and figure out the root of the problem. I promise you, as you start to get better, I'll arrange for your wife to visit, okay?" Ennis spoke softly, "You don't want her to see you in a hysterical state, right?"
Byron's hand trembled.
He was reminded of that night by the lake.
Overwhelming feelings of despair and helplessness threatened to suffocate him.
At that moment, he read Athena's words again.
[Eat well, sleep well, and think of me often.]
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: My Mommy Became A Billionaire After the Breakup
I am at Chapter 550 and there are almost 2 stories in 1. Aron and Evie's story could very well have been made into another story. Such a waste of time because I am reading for Byron and Athena, not Evie and Aron...
Is there no new updates after this one?...