Chapter 59

I can't move from where I am, and I am in a state of shock where I know that if I take even one step, I will collapse.

I close my eyes, wishing this is a bad dream and it's not happening. He can't be here, he's not out there.

"It's not real, it's not true," I think, but all these wishes go up in smoke when I hear the doorbell ringing, along with loud knocks on the front door.

"Claudia, come out and talk to me, please!," I hear his strong voice say.

I repeatedly deny, unable to assimilate what is happening, and without further ado I start running up the stairs, heading for my mom's room.

When I get to her door I don't just knock, and open it, leaving me to see her sitting on the bed with dozens of papers scattered around that seem to be letters, which she picks up and immediately puts away in a small box she has nearby.

"Darling, did something happen?" she questions with a strange tone getting up from where she was quickly.

But I can't take my eyes off the box back there, I've never se