Afterlight ✔️

chapter forty-six

— Chloe Romano

"Dear Chloe,

Long time no hear, huh? You have no idea how badly I want to tell you this in person... But I can't, you don't let me, so I'm doing it this way. I'm so sorry about your brothers death. You never gave me the chance to properly talk to you. I have no clue how it feels to lose my only family member, but I do know how it feels like to lose someone very close to you. I get it.

I can deny the fact that it wasn't me who killed him all I want, but I know you won't believe me. I'm going to tell you every single day that I'll be there for you through this, even though I truly didn't do it.

I love you so much, Chloe. And you know deep down, I'd never do such a thing to hurt you. I'm so sorry about everything. I'm sorry I put you into this lifestyle, I'm sorry I brought you around my brother. It's my fault.

You kept saying you hate me and how you wanted nothing to do with me. This is coming from my heart and soul, that I'll love you forever, Chloe Romano. I'll always put you before everything else. As of now, I have nothing and no one to live for...

You are my life. You are my beginning and my end.

I can't sleep, I can barely eat. Everything around me just drives me off the walls, I'm so lonely without you. For just one last time in my life, I want you hold you and just tell you you're mine. I can't handle the fact that you've moved on, I'll never be able to handle it, Chloe. You were my first love, my best friend. You were so beautiful and the reason I woke up every goddamn day. You're the reason I still try, sweetheart.

I will keep apologizing every single day and if you refuse to accept it, I'll just have to find you and prove to you how good of a man I'll always be to you.

Until then, please be careful in California and take it easy. I love you so much, princess.

- your Justin"

As I finished reading Justin's letter, my head was the weight of a ten ton bowling ball. All I could hear was the beat of my thumping heart. My fingers ached to obey my thoughts and throw the letter away, but my heart told me not to. I wanted to tear out my heart.

"Bastard." I hissed, angrily brushing my hair from my face. I didn't want any letter from him, I left Stratford for a reason, goddammit.

Throw it away, Chloe. Just do it.

I bit my lip, walking towards the trash can. I can do that. I needed to get rid of it, Tearing the letter in pieces, I let them fall right into the trash can, feeling my heart swell inside my chest. I shook my head, knowing this would be the best. No one wanted to keep letters from their exes, anyway.

Was there any way to hurt anyone more than take away your last family member just when you guys finally got along? After years? Your own blood? I didn't need his apologizes, or his lies. I just wanted him out of my life, forever and hell, I meant it. There was a knock on my door, interrupting my thoughts. I walked towards the door and opened it.

In front of me was standing a smiling Lewis. Typical. "Good afternoon, munchkin." He chuckled as I groaned, letting him know I didn't approve of the nickname the guys gave me. I wasn't little, for fuck's sake.

"Hi, Lewis." I smiled softly back, not letting him get under my skin.

"I haven't seen you all day." He smirked, leaning against the doorframe.