Page 146 of Ghosts Don't Cry

“Ronan?” Lily’s voice is soft, but it breaks through my paralysis.

I reach for the envelope with fingers that don’t feel like my own, and open it. Inside, there’s a letter, written on familiar paper. The same paper he used to write all the notes and letters he’s sent to me over the years.

Ronan,

You’ve spent too much of your life alone. That stops now.

You might not see it yet, but you belong here. And you don’t have to figure out what happens next alone.

The final condition of your inheritance isn’t about money or property, it’s about people.

Tom isn’t just here for support. He’s here because you need someone who won’t let you disappear. He’s agreed to check in on you, and remind you that you’re not just passing through. He’s there to make sure you don’t slip back into survival mode.

What I need you to do now is important. It’s about something you never wanted to talk about.

Lily.

She’s the heart of this. The heart of you. You trusted her. You loved her. And I think you still do. Maybe you don’t know what to do with that yet, but I do.

She’s part of this final stipulation.

You have to let someone in, Ronan. You have to choose to stay.

So, here’s the deal.

I want you to reach out to her, if you haven’t already. I want you to talk to her, to let her get to know you again and see who you’ve become. And for the next five months, I want you to meet her here, at Mitchell’s office,once a month. You don’t have to say anything profound or bare your soul. You just have to show up. The same way I came to visit you at the prison, month after month, whether you spoke to me or not.

Tom will be there, too. You don’t have to like it. But I want you to try. I think Lily will want that too.

You spent too long being no one. I want you to see what it feels like to be someone. To be part of something.

Harris

The words blur. My eyes burn. I grip the letter so tight that it crumples between my fingers.

Lily squeezes my fingers hard. When I glance at her, her eyes are bright with tears. She’s reading over my shoulder, her other hand pressed to her mouth.

Tom sighs quietly. When I look at him,hiseyes are suspiciously bright too.

“He told me about it a year ago,” he says. “Asked if I’d be willing to do it. I said yes before he finished explaining. He knew he didn’t have much longer left. The cancer had spread too far.”

My throat is too tight to speak. He’d never told me he was sick, never let on in all the letters or text conversations.

Mitchell clears his throat. “Ms. Gladwin will need to read the terms, obviously, but since she’s here with you now … I don’t think she’s going to disagree. But the final decision rests with you. If you accept, then we’ll set up the first meeting.”

I look down at the letter again, eyes moving over Harris’ handwriting and the words he wrote because he knew that I’d need someone to force me to stay. The words in my hand mean more than money ever could. More than the house. BecauseHarris knew. He saw through every wall I built. And even now, he’s still trying to save me.

I close my eyes, suck in a deep breath, and give Mitchell my answer.

Epilogue

RONAN - ONE YEAR LATER

Dinner at Lily’smom’s house should feel normal by now. We’ve been coming here every week for months. A condition her mom suggested, and one I didn’t know I needed, but can’t imagine living without. But this is Thanksgiving, which makes it different. Last year, I spent it here, too, and I was on edge the entire time, hyper aware of the history I brought with me, as well as the second chance Lily was giving me.

A year ago, I never would have believed this would be my life—welcomed into a family, no longer feeling like I have one foot out of the door. Writing again. Showing up the way Edwards wanted me to, and learning what it means to be accountable to people who give a damn.

This year, it’s comfortable,easy. I’m surrounded by the kind of warmth I never thought I’d have.