Chapter 8 - THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LETTERSEmily finally opened the letters.
She had been afraid.
Afraid of what they would reveal.
The first letter was written during Michael's deployment.
Emily, I miss you more than I know how to say.
She cried.
The next one said:
I worry that my mother is making you feel alone. Please don't believe everything she tells you.
Emily froze.
She read another.
She told me you are thinking about leaving me. I don't believe her. But I need to hear it from you.
Emily looked at Michael.
“Your mother told you I wanted to leave?”
Michael looked horrified.
“She told me you were unhappy.”
“She told me you didn't love me anymore.”
Michael closed his eyes.
The letters revealed the truth.
Margaret had been manipulating both of them.
She had told Emily that Michael was losing interest.
She had told Michael that Emily wanted a divorce.
For fourteen months, they had been fighting an invisible war.
A war Margaret had created.
Emily held the final letter.
It was written only days before Michael returned home.
Emily, if you still love me, don't let my mother decide what happens to us.
Emily began sobbing.
Michael took her hand.
“I wrote that.”
“I know.”
“And you never saw it.”
“No.”
He looked toward the hallway.
Where Margaret stood listening.
For the first time, Michael understood.
May you like
His mother had not simply hidden letters.
She had tried to destroy his marriage.
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