I was sitting at my office desk about a week after I heard the news of Emma-Jay’s fatal wreck. I didn’t want to be blackmailed by her, but I would never wish death on anyone, either. My heart felt sad for her family, even if I didn’t know them. Jonathan was worried about Jason. He wouldn’t talk to him or anyone else about what happened that night. I had even attempted to call him on several occasions. I was surprised when he didn’t even answer my calls. I was deep in thought not getting any work done, when the knock sounded at my office door.
“Come in,” I called out.
The courier came into the office and stood before my desk. “Are you Miss Serenity Champagne?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said, studying the brown envelope in his hand.
“This is for you,” he said handing over the envelope to me. “Sign here, please.”
I did as he asked before I thanked him and he walked out and closed the door. I looked at the plain envelope with my name scrawled across it. I knew that scrawl… I would never forget it. I tore into the envelope and pulled out a letter.
My dearest Sweet Serenity,
By the time you read this letter I will have arrived in Las Vegas. I transferred here and will be heading up our new gym here. I proposed this plan to my brother the night of Emma’s death. I am deeply sorry that things ended in the way they did. In keeping our secret safe, it appears that I destroyed the life of another. I will never forgive myself for these actions. I will be gone for at least a year…maybe more. Only time will tell. I need this time to heal. I think that my time away will help you to heal, also. I had to leave to put distance between you and me. I am not strong enough to exist in the same place as you. I miss you already and I don’t even have the God-given right to miss you in that way. I love my brother and I love you. You two are who I love most in this world. I shall return one day when the skies are clear and I can once again feel the rain without the pain. The skies will one day open up and I can relish in the sunshine again. I will then be able to smile and return to you and my brother with the strength to accept the things that I can’t change… Things that I wouldn’t change even if I could. Loving you has given me clarity, if nothing else. I will never regret us even if I have to release the thought of us being together in this lifetime. Just maybe God will smile on me and in the next lifetime and you will be mine. Stay beautiful and stay sweet, my dearest Serenity.
Jason
Tears streamed down my cheeks as I read Jason’s handwritten letter to me. I traced my fingertips across his bold scrawl. I know that he left to free me from myself. He was being strong for the both of us. I was too grateful that he was gone, yet heartbroken that he was. I truly thanked God for Jonathan, though. He was the one man that was made for me. I knew, without a doubt, that I was the match for his missing rib, because as heartbroken as I was that Jason had walked out of my life, I would have been devastated if it had been Jonathan. I would have surely died a slow, painful death.
The rest of my days would be spent with the man that my soul chose…the man that loved me beyond all reasoning, the man that kissed my heart into submission of his own. He was the man for me. I, Serenity Champagne, am the woman for him.
Jonathan Knight… He is my destiny for all eternity.
The end or maybe not…Jason’s story may be forthcoming in the future.