Chapter 8 - The Letter Beneath the FloorboardsWe climbed the fern-lined trail to the top of the hill overlooking the ocean.
Standing in the center of the clearing, surrounded by towering red maple trees glowing under the golden autumn sunset, was a breathtaking timber-and-stone house.
It had a wide wooden porch, high glass windows facing the ocean, and a red maple tree planted right by the front door.
It was the exact house Evan had drawn on the back of hospital napkins seven years ago.
âOwen...â I gasped, tears welling in my eyes as I looked at the house. âYou built this...?â
âEvan gave me the sketches three days before he passed away in Boston, Claire,â Owen revealed, his voice thick with emotion. âHe made me swear two promises.â
âWhat promises?â I sobbed softly.
Owen reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a yellowed, unsealed envelope written in Evanâs familiar handwriting:
May you like
â1. Build the house on the hill for Claire.â â2. Don't let her live in the dark forever. Tell her that loving you is not a betrayal to me.â
I covered my mouth with both hands, hot tears streaming down my face as the words washed over my broken heart.
