Chapter 8 - Richard’s Second Letter
While cleaning Willow House, Anna found a locked desk.
Luke’s.
Inside, old papers.
Among them, a letter from Richard.
Never sent?
Addressed to Michael.
Draft.
Richard had written after one of their arguments.
Michael,
You are beginning to speak about this company as if inheritance is compensation for obedience.
I stopped.
My husband saw it.
Years ago.
He continued:
Your sister’s choices do not reduce what I owe you, and your work here does not give you moral ownership over everything Anna declines.
Then:
If you ever measure my love by how many assets I leave you, I will have failed as your father.
I cried.
Richard knew.
He never sent.
Why?
Maybe cowardice.
Family tradition.
Anna asked:
“Do we give it to Michael?”
I hesitated.
“Your choice?”
“It’s addressed to him.”
“Then yes.”
She mailed copy through attorney.
Michael read.
His lawyer later told Blake it devastated him.
Good? Not good.
Necessary perhaps.
Dead father finally saying what living father avoided.
But I did not romanticize.
Richard should have said it alive.
May you like
We all kept waiting for perfect timing.
Then death made timing permanent.
