Page 183 of Keep This Promise
Goat Tacos are served daily in Heaven, just in case you didn’t know.
Forgiveness is also in abundance here—at least, that’s my hope because I know I need a lot of it. More than anything, I need it from you.
If you have this letter, then you’ve met the team of people who will do what I cannot since I am dead—protect you and Eden. I am going to assume that you followed the directions and are where I hoped you’d be. If you didn’t, then you wouldn’t have this letter, and I would be speaking to no one.
Since we are working on assumptions, then it’s most likely that you’ve cried, told me to fuck off, and spent no short amount of time angry, but I hope you will allow me this explanation and not destroy this letter before you’ve finished. I have reasons, and they are:
I am a selfish ass.
A prick.
A fucking bastard.
And a coward.
I am selfish because I didn’t tell you and waited until I was dying before putting this plan into motion. Selfish because I wanted just a little more time with you and Eden.
I’m a prick for those same reasons above.
A bastard because I tried a million times to be honest and failed every time.
And a coward for not having the strength to talk to you about this. I was afraid if I told you any of this before that you’d leave, and I wouldn’t have the only thing in this world I truly needed, you and Eden. I was also afraid if I told you, you’d be in worse danger than you are now, my love.
As you have likely already assumed, I was an idiot and trusted the wrong people. I allowed my desire to be rich and better than my father overshadow what was right.
Of course, I didn’t know that until it was far too late to get out. My only options were to continue and not let them know what I discovered as I made plans to protect you both once I was dead, or go to them and quite possibly be killed. I chose the first option. The one thing that is keeping you safe is that you know nothing. So, I will not tell you what or who or why. All I will tell you is that you can trust no one from our past. No one without the password, Sophie.
I invested in the wrong people, and it is a choice I will regret long passed my last breath.
You must start over in America because, as long as you are there, you’re safe. You must never return to England, and you must do whatever you can to move on.
I’m not even gone, and I miss you, Fee. I hope you can forgive me and know that everything I have done was to protect you.
Love,
Theo
Oh, Theo . . . what in the world did you get into?
ChapterFourteen
HOLDEN
~THREE MONTHS LATER~
Sophie is working late at the youth center tonight, and instead of going to hang out with Emmett or Spencer like I normally would’ve done, I’m getting my nails painted as snow falls outside.
“You’re sure this color looks good on me?” I ask Eden, eyeing the polish that’s smeared up to my knuckle.
“Uh-huh. It’s very pretty.”
I smile. “It’s something.”
“Next I have to put it on your lips!”
“Nail polish on the lips?” I may not have a very extensive knowledge of makeup, but I know that is definitely not how it works.
“It will be so pretty,” she assures me.
