A Letter From The Past

Ethan

‘After all these years, why am I still hung up on you?’ I sighed as Clint drove back home.

I now realize why I was infatuated by her. She reminded me of Lily; her grace, her calmness, these were all things that Lily had, things I loved about her. But now that feeling had been replaced with something I wanted to let go of, but still couldn’t – resentment.

A part of me despised and hated her for what she did to me, but another part of me still held on to her, wanting her despite the pain she’d caused me.

Seeing Hannah that night stirred some conflicting feelings inside me. Feelings about Lily. I wanted her to suffer, to be trampled with nothing but pain. To feel torn the same way I did when she left me. I wanted to be the one to cause her tears, but also dry them and love her softly as she dealt with that pain.

Her betrayal stung so deeply. She was the last person I expected to ever do something like that to me, which was why I found it hard to get her off my mind. 

Lily wasn’t like any other girl. She’s the woman that once held my heart. The woman that finally made me feel complete.

We were engaged to be married, so why did she leave? 

I’d spent the first few months searching for her, desperate for answers, but nothing I thought of made sense, and now all I wanted to do was forget about her. But my mind wouldn’t let me. 

I decided that when I found her again I was going to make her my wife by any means necessary. Since she chose to f*ck any random guy she met over my love, I was going to treat her just as that. She would become my personal stripper when I found her again, and I will make sure she regrets humiliating me that day. It was the perfect revenge.

“Master Ethan, we’ve arrived,” Clint announced, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I took a deep breath as we entered the Ford mansion. In a few moments now, I would be meeting my father, Declan Ford, and just thinking about it, made my heart sink.

I hadn’t seen him, since a month ago when I went on a business trip, and coming back home now, my anxiety increased.

Clint parked the car and a guard opened the door. As soon as I stepped out, I saw our Butler, Reginald waiting with a sunken look,

“Where is he?” I asked, filled with worry.

“I’m sorry Master Ethan, your father’s health is not improving,” Reginald said.

“Where is he, Reginald?” I repeated sternly.

“He’s in the East Wing master bedroom,” Reginald answered weakly, and without waiting for a response, I turned and headed toward the room, not bothering to look back.

“Dad,” I whispered, my voice breaking at the deteriorating sight of his health. 

My feet were glued to the ground for some time, unable to approach him, afraid to see him that way. Then suddenly, his voice filtered softly into my ears, “Ethan, is that you? Come closer.” He uttered weakly.

I gathered some courage and started approaching him. Each step I took towards him, echoed the memories of the man I knew before she did this to him.

“Dad,” I whispered and sat down beside him.

“I closed the deal. Emgrand Union is now under our control.” I said. 

“Ethan…” he started, his voice barely above a whisper. “I worry for you.”

“What do you mean, dad?” I asked, fearing his response.

“You are so driven by success, that there is no room for anything else. I know. I was just like you when I was younger. I spent my days chasing success but when I finally had it, it did not bring me much happiness. I thought I had it all. But it took meeting your mother to know what I truly needed. She filled the void in my life and brought happiness to it.” He said and then his voice softened, 

“I don't want you to make the same mistakes I made.” 

“Dad, I don’t think marrying someone is what will make me happy,” I argued, but he coldly cut me off.

“My mind is made up Ethan. If you do not get married, you’ll lose your inheritance and be kicked out of the family.” 

“What?!” I snapped irritably, trying to process what he had said. This was a joke. He had to be joking, but just before I could respond, the door swung open and his doctor walked in.

“I’m sorry Master Ford, but it’s time for your father’s medicine.” He said. 

I glanced at Declan, but he turned away, avoiding my gaze. 

At that point, I felt a rush of emotions, not sure exactly what I was feeling in particular.

I knew the other reason why he was rushing me to settle down even when he never said it. The company was under constant pressure from the shareholders for an heir, threatening to pull their investments and take their business to our competition. I couldn’t let that happen, but again I didn’t want to marry anyone either, not since Lily.

She was the reason all of this was happening.

Clenching my fists in annoyance, I stormed out of the room and found Reginald waiting by the hall bench, and immediately my anger increased.

“Why did she do it, Reginald? Why did she disappear during our engagement?” I yelled angrily.

Reginald wiped his forehead nervously, stood up, and approached me, “I wish I could tell you why Master Ethan, but…”

“She’s your daughter!” I blurted angrily. “You can’t tell me you don’t know anything. I did everything right! I loved her and gave her everything she needed. Why then did she leave me waiting on the altar? Why did she never show up?” I yelled, my heart aching as memories from that fateful day replayed in my head.

Two years ago, we were supposed to be engaged. It was the most celebrated event in the city at the time. My father had gone out of his way to gather several media coverages and paparazzi, inviting every business associate and colleague to the engagement party.

I waited on the altar for more than thirty minutes, my nerves wrecking, wondering where she was. The entire hall had their eyes fixed on me, and I could tell they were wondering the same thing. Soon, some guests started whispering and chuckling, shifting mocking and pitiful gazes at me. 

After a while, I saw Aunt Jane approaching the altar, her eyes never shifting from mine, heavy with sympathy and guilt.

She stopped beside my father and whispered something into his ear, and immediately he slumped. That was when I realized what was happening. Lily was never going to show up. She had disappeared. I couldn’t move, the shock was too much, and then I dropped to my knees, filled with humiliation and pain. 

In an instant, some guests rushed to my father and took him away. The whole thing felt like a blur, and all I could see at that moment was the silent groans and whispers amongst the guests.

My life took a downward spiral after that disaster. I became the subject of media troll, but I still waited for her, hoping that one day she’d surface again, but she never did. 

I was so lost in my thoughts, that I didn’t even feel Reginald’s hand on my shoulder,

“I’m sorry Master Ethan. I don’t know why my daughter never showed up that day.” He said, gulping in fear.

Reginald knew I had a terrible wave of anger which is why I rarely got angry, but once I did, all hell would be let loose. 

I could feel my emotions getting the best of me the more I tried to understand what happened that night, so I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself down. 

Suddenly, I heard footsteps echoing down the lobby. It sounded familiar, reminding me of a memory I tried to forget, and slowly I opened my eyes to see Aunt Jane standing in front of me,

“Master Ethan,” she called weakly, unable to look me directly in the face.

“What is it, Jane?” I asked, trying to maintain my composure.

“There’s something I think you need to see.” She said, fidgeting her hair nervously.

“Go on,” I replied, raising my brows in suspicion, seeing how nervous she was. 

“Well…” Aunt Jane paused, hesitant to say what she wanted to say.

“What do you want to tell me, Jane?!” I snapped irritably. 

“It’s about Ms. Young.” Aunt Jane finally revealed, handing me an envelope. 

I gazed at the envelope in curiosity, then shifted my gaze back to her.

“What’s this?” I asked, not bothering to hide my irritation.

“It’s a letter, Master Ethan. Ms. Young left it before she disappeared.” Aunt Jane confessed.