It was almost magical how the flood of guilt that had plagued his heart was replaced with even more potent love from his mother in her final message.
It gave him closure.
He didn't know it was possible to love his mother even more than he already did.
He didn't know it was possible to feel more loved by her than he already did.
His mother was determined to ensure that Rui wouldn't spend the rest of his life hating himself for not being there.
And she had succeeded.
And he would always love her for that.
He exhaled heavily as he felt his stiff body loosen up and lighten up more than it ever had in the past five years.
He felt as though his heart had grown stronger.
It had grown stronger from the ever-present and eternal love that his mother always had for him.
"Grandmother…" Rui wiped away his tears. "Can you keep this letter for me?"