A Letter to My Emily
My dearest Emily,
This may be my last letter to you.
Forgive me for taking so long to write.
These past weeks have been unbearable, and I could not bring myself to put ink to paper.
It's been years since I last saw you… and yet, when I finally held your hand again, you were slipping away.
You took your final breath in my arms.
I have never known pain as cruel as this.
The world moves on, but I remain lost—searching for you in the quiet.
Though you are no longer by my side, you will always stay in my heart.
Thank you, my love.
My heart is forever yours.
Farewell for now, my love.
Until we meet again.
— Gordon Everleigh
Gordon carefully rolled the letter and sealed it inside a glass bottle.
He stepped forward to the edge, where the ocean stretched endlessly before him, its surface bathed in gold.
The sun dipped lower, casting a shimmering reflection across the waves. A salty breeze brushed against his skin as he released the bottle into the water.
The current carried it away, rocking it gently—taking it wherever the wind willed it to go.
He stood there, watching.
Watching as it drifted farther and farther away.
As the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, so too did the bottle—swallowed by the vastness of the sea.
Then—a hand tapped his shoulder.
Before Aaron could speak, Gordon's voice cut through the silence.
"I'm all right."
It came out too firm. Too sharp.
He swallowed, forcing down the rawness in his throat.
"I'm all right," he repeated, softer this time.
Aaron didn't answer.
He simply stood beside him, his gaze fixed on the endless ocean.
He didn't offer words of comfort, nor did he press him for truth.
He just stayed.
And for Gordon, that was enough.
Life must go on.
Gordon closed his eyes, and for a fleeting moment,
he was there again—not alone, but with her.
Emily's laughter rang out, light and full of joy.
She ran ahead, bare feet sinking into the cool sand,
the hem of her dress brushing against the waves.
She turned back to him, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Catch me, if you dare!"
She darted forward, leaving tiny footprints in the damp shore.
Gordon couldn't resist. He chased after her, the ocean gliding at their sides.
The golden light of the setting sun showered over them, casting long shadows.
She was fast—always too fast.
But just as she thought she had won, he reached out and grabbed her waist, spinning her into his arms.
"Gordon!" she gasped, giggling, clinging to him.
"I caught you," he murmured, holding her close.
"And what will you do with me now, Captain?"
"Keep you forever."
"Then you better never let go."
The cries of seagulls faded… and with them, so did she.
The Next Morning
Gordon opened his eyes.
For the first time, he felt truly empty—as if every last piece of himself had been left behind.
The small inn room felt even smaller today.
The single window let in a sliver of morning light, but it did nothing to ease the heaviness in his chest.
A sudden knock at the door.
It was Aaron—checking on him.
He stepped inside, studying Gordon's expression. What he saw concerned him.
"They want to talk to you. But if you can't, I'll send them away."
Gordon didn't look at him.
His gaze remained fixed on the window.
"I'm all right," he said.
The moment he stepped outside, they were waiting for him.
The mayor, the doctor, Captain Brendon… even Ms. Mary greeted him with quiet sorrow.
"Oh my, Gordon, my condolences," she whispered, wrapping him in a warm embrace.
But Gordon showed no sorrow.
He smiled. Calm—too calm.
Every emotion was hidden beneath the surface, buried too deep for anyone to trace.
To everyone else, he looked normal.
From the side, Aaron watched in silence.
He studied Gordon's every move, every carefully placed breath.
Then, in a whisper, he murmured:
"You act so casual… yet I know the weight of the pain you hide."
Then Brendon spoke.
"Gordon, we need to tell you something."
Gordon frowned.
"We?"
Brendon nodded.
"Yes, we… It's about Em—"
Before he could finish, a man burst into the room—breathless, panicked.
"Ms. Mary!! Mayor!"
Everyone turned.
Aaron quickly steadied him.
"Breathe. Tell us what happened."
The man gasped, then finally managed:
"It—it's Selena! Her house is on fire—she's still inside!"
The words struck like lightning.
Aaron didn't hesitate. He stormed out, running.
Gordon followed—so did the rest.
As they ran, Gordon glanced at Aaron.
He could feel it—the fear pulsing through him.
That silent terror of losing the one thing he held dear.
Flashback: A Memory at the Harbor
The harbor was alive with fishermen shouting, waves crashing against the docks.
Two young boys ran along the planks—Gordon and Aaron, laughing like the world had no weight.
Gordon pushed Aaron, sending them both tumbling into the ocean.
Their laughter bubbled up between the waves.
Emily stood on the shore, smiling. Reaching out.
"You two," she said gently, "you need to take care of each other.
I'm not always going to be there to babysit."
She smiled—soft and innocent.
Meanwhile…
At Selena's house, the building was almost completely engulfed in flames.
A crowd had gathered—but no one dared to enter.
Inside, Selena trembled. Frozen.
Not by the fire—but by her past.
She heard voices calling her name… but she couldn't move.
All she could see was her mother's face.
Outside
Aaron and Gordon arrived—
But every entrance was blocked by fire.
Flames snarled at the doors, windows cracked under the heat.
Without thinking, Aaron lunged forward—
But Gordon grabbed him, yanking him back.
"Let me go, Gordon!" Aaron roared, shoving against him, eyes wide with panic.
"She's in there—I have to—!"
His voice cracked. His hands trembled, nearly begging.
But Gordon didn't move.
His grip was iron.
Unshakable.
"No."
"Don't do this," Aaron growled. "I… I can save her—"
Gordon's eyes locked onto his—calm, steady, resolute.
"You have a future, Aaron.
Live for her."
In that moment, Aaron froze—his breath catching.
Because something in Gordon's voice…
Felt final.
Then—a scream.
Selena's voice.
Gordon shoved Aaron aside—
And ran into the fire.
Inside
The heat slammed into him like a wall—brutal, unforgiving.
Smoke curled like claws around his throat.
Flames roared louder with every step, as if mocking him.
"Selena!" he shouted, voice breaking through the chaos.
No answer.
Just fire. Cracking wood. A world turning to ash.
Then—he saw her.
Selena.
Unconscious.
Lying on the floor, motionless.
Blood trailing from her forehead—something had struck her.
"Selena!"
He dropped to his knees, crawling toward her.
His hands trembled as he touched her face.
A pulse.
Faint.
But there.
His chest tightened—She's alive.
"Stay with me," he whispered. "Please… stay with me."
Her eyes fluttered open—barely.
Half-lidded. Glazed.
No strength. No air.
But she saw him.
"Gordon…"
Her lips barely moved, but his name left her like a prayer.
She smiled. Faint. Fragile.
But in her eyes—
A million words.
Fear. Regret. Relief. Love. And loss.
Everything she never got the chance to say.
Gordon's throat clenched. He leaned closer—trying to find the words.
But then…
Her breath hitched. Shallow. Desperate.
She couldn't breathe.
He froze.
Then shut his eyes. His fists clenched.
"I can't let you die here."
He hesitated. But still… He did it.
He kissed her.
Not out of romance—
But to give her breath.
The air she couldn't find on her own.
A kiss to save her.
Gordon's eyes glistened. Hatred.
He wanted to scream.
To rage.
To break.
How could he give life to the one who had taken Emily's from him?
But still… he chose to hold on.
And as her breathing steadied—
Her chest rising beneath him—
He pulled back.
Then, wordlessly, he grabbed a smoldering blanket
and wrapped it tightly around her.
The fire raged.
His lungs burned.
His legs shook.
He kept moving.
But not for long.
He stumbled.
Fell to his knees.
"Not yet," he coughed. "Not now…"
Then—a voice.
Smooth. Familiar.
"Gordon."
He looked up.
She was there.
Emily.
Bathed in golden light.
Untouched by the fire.
Her white dress flowed with the smoke—elegant, ethereal.
For just a moment,
the fire softened.
The flames that once mocked him
now danced in circles around her.
The dust in the air shimmered like stardust.
"Emily…"
His voice shook. Was it a dream? A death?
She smiled gently.
"You're not done yet, my love… not yet."
She raised her hand.
And the fire shifted.
Parted.
Behind her, a path began to glow.
She lit the way out.
His heart ached.
But something inside him—
Reignited.
He stood.
Took a step.
Then another.
And broke through the flames.
"Go, my love… I'll be waiting for you."
Her voice echoed behind him—soft, fading like starlight.
Outside
The air was thick with smoke.
The sky had turned a suffocating shade of gray.
Ms. Mary stood with her hands clasped tightly, her lips moving in a trembling prayer.
"Please… bring them back."
Emma and the doctor stood ready with bandages—
But no one knew if they would be used for healing…
Or for mourning.
Aaron couldn't breathe.
His chest was tight. Restless.
"They should've been out by now…"
Then—a silhouette appeared in the smoke.
Staggering.
Gordon.
Carrying Selena.
She was safe.
But he… was not.
His skin blistered.
His clothes scorched.
His arms trembled under her weight.
And as he reached them—
He collapsed.
Aaron caught him instantly, falling to his knees beside him,
while the others rushed to take Selena from his arms.
"You idiot!" Aaron shouted, voice cracking.
"Wake up, Gordon! Gordon!!"
But there was no response.
Just a single, weak cough.
Then—
Silence.
And then…
A sob.
One voice.
Then another.
Overlapping. Breaking. Echoing.
Until the whole crowd cried for him.
That night, beneath the smoke and the burning sky—
the town lost a man they could never replace.
The Next Morning
The mayor stood before the grave.
"Yesterday, we lost someone special.
A hero. A friend. A brave man.
But above all… he was a lover.
He gave everything—without asking anything in return.
His sacrifice will never be forgotten.
And so, we welcome him home.
This is where he belongs.
Rest well, brave spirit… may the winds carry you home."
They buried him beside Emily.
Side by side.
Lovers who were never meant to be in life…
Now together in death.
Someone placed a single white flower between their graves.
And as the wind swept through the cemetery,
it almost sounded like laughter.
Later…
Everyone had left—
Except Aaron.
He stood alone,
staring at the two graves before him.
Then… a soft, bitter laugh escaped his lips.
He tried to ease the weight in his chest, but it only made the ache worse.
"I never knew…
both of you were going to leave me like this."
His voice was raw. Cracked.
Like something inside him had finally split open.
"Emily. Gordon… I miss you both."
A single tear fell—
Landing gently on the fresh soil between them.
He stayed. Waiting.
As if silence might somehow bring them back.
But deep down…
He knew.
Nothing could change reality.
So at last—
He whispered his final goodbye.
And he turned… and walked away.
Meanwhile… in a hospital
Dark. Gloomy.
Selena lay in a hospital bed, her face reflected by the candlelight.
Ms. Mary never left her side.
Emma tended to her gently.
Dr. Gary stood nearby.
Then—the door creaked open.
Aaron stepped inside.
He and the doctor exchanged quiet words.
Whatever was said…
it shook him.
He walked to Selena's bedside.
Cradled her hand.
Kissed her fingers—softly, silently.
Then, without a word,
he left his coat at her side…
and turned away.
At the Harbor
Aaron stood at the docks,
gazing out at the sea.
Taking one last look at the town behind him.
A memory of Gordon played in his mind—
echoing like a ghost caught in the wind.
"This town… it's nothing but pain,"
he whispered.
Albert waited nearby, preparing a small boat.
As Aaron stepped aboard, Albert moved to follow.
"No," Aaron said without looking back.
"I want to be alone."
Albert paused.
His heart tugged—
But his duty held firmer.
Aaron added, low but commanding:
"Stay. Look after Selena for me."
Albert bowed his head.
"Yes, Master."
Even though everything in him wanted to follow—
he stayed.
Aaron gripped the edge of the boat.
Took a breath.
And sailed away—
alone.
Disappearing into the horizon.
His heart still burning
with all the things he couldn't save.
"A Love Beyond Fate"
The End.
A book closed gently.
The sound echoed through a quiet room.
A voice broke the silence.
"This story was beautiful… it happened five years ago."
The speaker's hands were gloved—delicate, poised.
She held the book like it was sacred.
Then, with a small smile, she turned and said—
"Hey, Ash. Wanna go visit them?"
Ashley blinked.
Her eyes wide—just a little surprised.
"For real?"
To be continued…
Next Chapter: The Door That Knocks From the Past