𝗠𝘆 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 ⇉ 𝗝𝗝 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗯𝗮𝗻𝗸

𝘭 𝘦 𝘵 𝘵 𝘦 𝘳

ARI HASN'T HEARD a word from the Pogues or JJ, and the silence was starting to gnaw at her nerves. The sun had long dipped below the horizon, casting shadows that danced eerily in the dim light of the Maybank home.

After closing the store, she found herself sitting on the floor of her living room, right in front of the round table that had seen countless family gatherings.

The soft murmurs of Cora Lynn and Spike playing in their little playroom next door were the only sounds breaking the heavy silence.

Scattered across the table were all the pictures and letters from the wooden box Rafe had given her. Each photograph was a fragment of her past, a piece of a puzzle she was desperate to put together.

Her fingers traced the edges of each picture, her eyes lingering on familiar faces and forgotten moments.

But it was the note in her hand that held her captive.

The paper was worn, the ink a beautiful script that seemed to dance across the page.

It was her mother's letter, dedicated to her.

Ari's trembling hands unfolded the delicate paper, revealing her mother's words, each stroke of ink filled with emotion.

The letter began with an apology, written in a beautiful, flowing script that seemed almost too elegant for the heavy truths it carried.

"My dearest Ariella." It began. "I may never get to see you grow up, and it's a regret that haunts me every day. I wished with all my heart that I could have been there for you, but I wasn't right for the role of a mother. I was broken, dependent, and heartbroken. I couldn't take care of a baby alone, so I left you with Ward, hoping he could give you the life I couldn't."

Ari's eyes filled with tears as she read on, feeling the pain and sorrow her mother had poured into the letter.

The words seemed to leap off the page, each one a testament to her mother's anguish and love.

"Please, my darling, don't hate your father. If you ever find him or John B, hold them close. They are your family, no matter what. Forgive Big John for any mistakes he made. He loved you in his own way, and family is all we have in this world."

The letter continues, each sentence revealing more of her mother's inner turmoil and hopes for Ari's future.

Thalia's words were a plea for understanding, a desperate attempt to explain the choices she had made and to seek forgiveness for the pain those choices had caused.

"I know I failed you, Ariella, and for that, I am deeply sorry. I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me. I made the decision to leave you with Ward because I believed it was the best thing for you. I wanted you to have stability, something I couldn't provide at the time. I was lost, struggling with my own demons, and I thought Ward could give you the love and care you deserved."

Ari felt a wave of emotions crash over her as she finished reading. The letter was a window into her mother's soul, a glimpse of the woman who had given her life but had been too broken to stay.

It was a bittersweet revelation, filled with sorrow and a glimmer of hope for reconciliation and understanding.

"Remember, Ariella, that no matter what happens, you are loved. You have always been loved. Like I said, if you ever find Big John or John B, embrace them. They are a part of you, just as I am. Family is complicated, but it is also the most important thing we have. I hope you can find peace and happiness, my dear. You deserve it more than anyone. I will always be with you and maybe one day we will find each other."