The lawyer nodded.
“You should read it aloud.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“Oh, wonderful. One last speech.”
I unfolded the paper carefully.
The familiar handwriting instantly blurred through my tears.
If you are reading this, my dear Eleanor,
then I have already lost the argument with death.
Don’t waste your tears on me.
I had sixty-two wonderful years before I met you.
The years after that were simply my favorite.
My voice caught.
The room remained silent.
You married me because you needed safety.
I married you because I needed kindness.
People will spend years debating which of us got the better bargain.
The truth is…
I did.
Vanessa scoffed loudly.
“Oh, please.”
The lawyer looked at her sharply.
“Miss Hartley, your father specifically requested there be no interruptions.”
She leaned back again but said nothing.
I continued reading.
You never pretended to be in love with me.
That honesty made it possible for me to trust every feeling that came afterward.
