The Calm After the Storm

It was late at night.

I tossed a bunch of old letters into the flames and then grabbed a photo.

Walter and Matthias were standing next to me in the photo, both of them grinning as if it were the best day ever.

Their smiles just seemed silly now.

The photo burned up, and their grins turned to ashes.

The firelight filled my eyes.

As the flames ate the letters, I caught a few words.

My brother had written, "I'll always love and protect my sister. I’ll make sure Emma stays a little princess forever."

Walter had promised, "I'll marry Emma when I'm older, and we'll have two amazing kids—a big brother and a little sister."

They had been so serious when they made those promises.

They said I was more important to them than anything.

Those letters were old and yellow now.

The black writing had faded, just like their silly promises had.

The last of the letters burned, hot against my fingers.

I let it fall onto my dress on the floor.

The fire got bigger, catching the curtains and a wooden box, and smoke poured outside.

I just stood there, my face hot from the blaze around me and tears in my eyes from the smoke.

Walter called me out of the blue.

I did not pick up.

Matthias called right after.

I ignored him too.

I was about to block their numbers when Walter sent me a message on Messenger.

[Emma, remember that Anna is your sister no matter what.]

[I really hope you can be happy for her during the big moments in her life. She wants your blessing too.]

[Tomorrow, I'll pick up some jewelry you like and bring it to you. Try not to be stubborn anymore, okay?]

Matthias sent a message too.

[Emma, I promise I'll make it up to you. I'll do better from now on.]

[I'll get another necklace made just like the one Mom gave you. Can you please forgive me?]

I felt like laughing. Finally, I could not hold back the laughter, even though tears were streaming down my face.

I sent two messages back.

To Walter: [She’ll never have my blessing. I hope she and her mom end up in the inferno.]

To Matthias: [Why don't you ask Mom to forgive you instead?]

After sending those, I blocked them and erased all their contact information.

I grabbed my suitcase, took one last look at the memory-filled villa, turned around, and walked away without a backward glance.

I had dealt with everything that mattered. I had nothing left to hold onto now.

Not long after I left, the wind knocked a candle over.

It started as a tiny flame.

However, the dry air made the fire grow bigger and bigger.

Eventually, it swallowed up the whole villa.

The house that had been full of so many memories was now just a pile of ashes.