The house in Isabela was quiet again.
Max was asleep, curled up with his favorite blanket, breathing steady and safe. Tedd sat at the edge of the bamboo bed, fingers trembling over the microphone icon on his phone's recorder.
He had written the letter three times.
Torn it up twice.
Stared at the screen a dozen times before finally pressing record.
His voice, when it came, was hoarse.
"Hi, Jaimie.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3UXsiYvMJ
If you're still listening... this is for you.
I won't ask you to forgive me right away. I think I've lost that right.
And maybe... maybe I deserve to lose it. But I still need to speak.
I've spent the past few days in my parents' house, listening to the same silence I once found peace in. Now it just echoes every word I never said to you.
I miss you.
Not just the way you smiled when you played piano.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXYs7axUROC
Not just how you kiss Sam's forehead when he's asleep.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJd1GUjZZEh
I miss the way you make the air feel safer... like I'm not running anymore.
I know I hurt you—again. When you saw me with Aimee, I should've pulled away, should've said something. But I didn't think. And that's my flaw, isn't it? I wait until it's too late to fight.
But you... you've always fought harder than anyone.
For your peace. For your child. For your own heart.
You once told me that love doesn't walk away without warning.
You were right.
And I did.
I walked away thinking I was protecting you. I didn't realize I was leaving you to fight a war I started.
And now, all I can do is ask—27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBASTe11zJc
not for a second chance.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyWT2U54wy
Not even for your trust.
Just for a moment.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQgtwaesIN8
One more moment to stand beside you and not run.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR7tvwJwiKp
To show you that the man who kissed you under the rain isn't gone.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgIOb2XdQ0
He just got lost... but he's finding his way back.
I love you, Jaimie.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbB68PrK9Xd
Still. Quietly.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfOHWzhBmXU
And loudly—when no one's looking.
I'll wait.27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJmu1G42f0w
As long as it takes."
[End Recording]
He stared at the file for a long time.
Then he renamed it:
"If You're Still Listening."
And sent it.
Not with an explanation.
Not with a call.
Just the voice that once promised her forever.
Now trembling with the hope that she might still want to hear it.
27Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvH16OGHnub
