Page 170 of Salvation

No. She wouldn’t leave the kids. She wouldn’t.

“Rachel!” I barked, almost running through the hallway.

And that’s when I heard it. The soft click of the door opening near the end of the hallway.

“There you are!” I breathed when I saw her leaving my mother’s room, quickly closing the door behind her. “Is everything okay? Rachel?” I said, pulling her into my arms when I noticed how bloodshot her eyes were. “What’s happened?”

“Dante,” she croaked, her voice hoarse.

“What is it? What’s happened?”

“Kit… It’s Mama… Your mum,” she sobbed.

“What about her?” My body stiffened, my blood instantly freezing.

“She’s gone, Dante. She’s gone.”

I let go of Rachel and gently moved her to the side as I reached for the door handle.

“No!” Rachel barked, seizing my wrist. “No, Dante. You don’t need to see that. I was with her as she took her last breath, and I promise you, she’s gone. I’m so sorry.”

“She can’t be gone. She was fucking fine this morning!”

“I know. I’m sorry, Dante,” she breathed, tears trickling down her cheeks.

I ignored her request and pushed open the door, dropping to my knees in front of my mum’s bed.

“Mum?” I whispered, grabbing her cold hand. Tears pooled in my eyes as I placed my head on the bed and pulled her hand closer to me.

“No,” I heard Rachel from behind me. “Give him his privacy.”

“What’s happened?” Hacksaw demanded.

“It’s Mama. She’s committed suicide.”

“What?” Hacksaw breathed, and then the door closed, shielding me from their view.

“… not yet!” I heard Rachel’s raised voice through the door. “That is his mother… privacy he deserves right now!”

Suicide…

“Mum,” I whispered. “Why would you do this? Why would you leave us?” The tears streamed freely down my face. I wasn’t sure how long I was kneeling there for, but before long, I felt a small hand on my shoulder.

“She left you a note, Dante,” Rachel whispered. “I’ll leave it here for you. I’ll be right outside when you need me.” She kissed the top of my head and then I heard the door softly close again.

I looked at the envelope on the bed and ripped it open before I could give in to my rash temper and tear it to shreds.

My Dearest Dante.

I’m sorry to burden you with this. I know you’re probably reading this and that famous temper of yours is rearing its ugly head. But I hope it isn’t. Rest assured, this is what I wanted. This is what I have always wanted from the minuteyour dad left me. I know it’s selfish to give up so easily, especially when I have so much to live for. But your dad was my other half. My soul mate. And a soul that’s only half complete is a soul that wanders this earth, lost and hurting.

So please, my darling boy, don’t let your temper get the best of you, because I was happy. How could I not be, knowing who was waiting for me and saving me a seat on the other side?

I love you so much, and the thought of leaving you behind eats me up inside. And I’m ashamed to say that if you’ve found this note in a timely manner, that means I was successful at dragging Rachel into my plans. I’m sorry for that. But as strong as I am, and as committed as I am to reuniting with your dad, I’m scared. I’m scared of dying alone. As much as Rachel and I have disagreed in the past, she’s a good girl, and I know she’ll let me pass with the dignity I wanted.

You got a good one there, Dante. Be kind to her. Be kind to each other. Life becomes so much brighter when you learn to love, and you’re loved in return. Please don’t blame her for this. Just know I would have gone through with it regardless of her assistance. But she helped your old mum pass and comforted her in her dying moments. There are not many people who would do that, especially with the way I treated her.

However, if you’ve found this letter months after my death, just know Rachel is a traitorous bitch and refused to assist a dying woman. What sort of person does that?!

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