As I continued reading, the letters revealed a tragic twist. Maria had been battling a severe illness, which eventually claimed her life. Her final letter, dated three years before Tomas and I met, was a heart-wrenching goodbye, filled with love and gratitude for the time they had spent together. Maria’s last wish was for Tomas to find happiness and love again, to live his life fully despite the pain of losing her.

I sat back, overwhelmed by the revelation. This was the truth that Tomas had kept hidden, the weight he carried alone. All the while, he had been nurturing the memory of Maria, quietly honoring her wishes by trying to find happiness again with me. It explained his gentle nature, his quiet strength, and the way he cherished even the simplest moments we shared.

When Tomas returned home that evening, I was still holding the letters. He saw them in my hands, and a look of understanding crossed his face. He sat beside me, took a deep breath, and said softly, “I was going to tell you. I just didn’t know how.”