Tale #24: To Elise

My dearest Elise,

I hope that this letter finds you well despite the freezing cold of December. I hope that your fireplace is enough to warm you up as it is another year that I won't be able to hug you, to give you warmth in these cold nights. I hope that you have a hearty meal by your table as I can't cook for you this time, as much as I want to, it is just impossible. I hope that as you read this letter, the ringing of bells and the sweet voices of the singing children can be heard from the radio. I hope that the stars are shining bright as you embrace the warmth that the fire gives— hoping that it is me hugging you.

I'm really sorry I can't join you this time. I wish I could say that it's because of my job but I guess I better tell the truth. It is as they say, the truth hurts and I wish to not do that to you but… when you love, there's always pain.

I'm really sorry, my love, I didn't mean it to be this way nor do I wish to do this again in my other lifetimes. I must confess that what I've done is something out of this world and something that can never be forgiven, as messing with it results in consequences that no human may be able to comprehend. And so, I tell this to you in hopes that you may not be part of those consequences, in hopes that they may spare you of the pain.

My dearest Elise, I love you for that, with my heart, body and soul— with all of me. I wished you loved me the same, but it seemed like fate won't be in my favour and so I got down to the rabbit hole of dangerous things, just to make you mine. I will do everything just to have you by my side and I was willing to sacrifice everything just to have you say those three words to me.

I know it's unethical, pure evil, disgusting, barbaric and egotistical, that's why I am willing to do everything now for you to forgive me, for them to forgive me and spare you of this mess.

I'm sorry I gave you that charm bottle.

I'm sorry I made you drink that cocktail at the party.

I'm sorry I still went after you even if you said no when I gave you those chocolates and flowers.

I'm sorry I loved you too much.

I'm sorry you had to endure that one week of being with me when you just wanted to relax in your room with your books.

I'm sorry I forced you to dance with me that one prom night.

I'm sorry I went to that cabin inside the forest.

I'm sorry I asked that suspicious woman on how to make you mine.

I'm sorry I followed her instructions.

I'm sorry I took your cat.

I'm sorry for her death.

I'm sorry I took your dairy.

I'm sorry I took your favourite shirt.

I'm sorry I invited you and your family for dinner on Thanksgiving.

I'm sorry I served you that special cinnamon roll.

I'm sorry I drew that symbol on your wrist when you fell asleep on our couch.

I'm sorry that you were under a trance from then on.

I'm sorry I made you love me like you really do.

I'm sorry for making you mine.

I'm sorry I needed to kill you parents when they found out what I had done to you.

I'm sorry that you're all alone right now.

And I'm sorry that the spell is wearing off right now as you read this letter and realize how horrible of a person i am.

But do not worry my dearest Elise, I will be out of your hair after this night. You may do what you want, live life as you see fit after tonight. I left all of our fortune to your name, all of the properties and even my investments, you may manage them however you want.

Inside the frame of our wedding picture frame is a key, the key is for the vault hidden at the back of the Van Gogh painting in our room, that's where your diary and favourite shirt is. You may do whatever you want with it.

If you're enraged right now, you may burn down this house if you want, get rid of everything that reminds you of me if you want. All I ever wanted was for you to be happy— back then, with me— but now, please be happy without me.

Find the love that is rightfully yours, the kind of love that is not forced, the kind of love that comes to you as natural as it is with life and death.

My dearest Elise, I'm sorry and goodbye.

Lovingly Yours,

River

Elise threw the letter in the fireplace and watched the paper burn. She then got up and reached for a book in their living room bookshelf. She then gathered the ingredients needed and also a clothing belonging to her Dearest River.

Too bad, she doesn't forgive that easily. Hell won't be enough of a suffering for him.