Chapter 216

• With shaking fingers, I stare at the folded paper in my hand. The envelope discarded, now lying on the bed with his neat scroll on the front. I take an eternity to run my fingers across the neat lettering, pain shooting through me from every angle. I inhale deeply, steadying my nerves, unfolding the thick cream paper, and biting my lip. I drag courage from somewhere, telling myself I should dive in and do it.
• Emma,
• I’m sorry, Bambina, so extremely sorry. I don’t even know what writing to you will achieve, but I had to do something. I saw them packing up every piece of you, and I had to stop myself from tearing it out of their hands and holding onto it all. I can’t bear it. I feel like everything they remove is a slash across my heart.