As she read, tears spilled down her face.
“You are not mean,” Nora had written.
“You are scared. There’s a difference.”
Leila broke down completely.
For years, I had mistaken her anger for resentment.
I thought she blamed me.
Instead, she had been grieving alone.
Finally, she looked at me.
“I missed her so much.”
“I know.”
Her voice cracked.
“I missed you too.”
Those four words shattered the wall between us.
I walked around the table and hugged her.
For the first time in years, neither of us pulled away.
PART 3: Nora’s Final Gift
After we finished reading our letters, one package remained.
The one addressed to both of us.
Inside were photographs, a folded paper crown, and one final envelope.
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