~Memories are meant to be remembered, but not mine.~
I had just closed from school and was on my way back home. Thank God, I was done with the last paper for the term, it was not only exhausting but also difficult... Thankfully, I made sure to answer all the questions. I just had to wait for the results, hoping that they would come out great.
On my way home, I thought about father. I could not wait to give him a full gist about how my day went. He was not only my father, but also my brother, gist partner, and everything else I could think of.
As I was approaching the house, I heard noises coming from inside. I was scared because my father isn't the type to bring people home... As far as I can remember, he has no friends, only his younger brother but that one lives in another town and before he visits, he tells us before the time which I would definitely hear about it from father.
So who are those in the house?
At first, I was scared to go any further but thinking that my father could be in any danger, I summoned up courage and approached the house.
I opened the door and walked in, and there I saw some group of men on black suit.
The moment they noticed me, they all turned around and parted ways for their boss to walk through.
"Seraphina, is it?" The elderly man asked me, approaching steadily.
My heart skipped but I tried to stay strong.
"Who are you, what are you doing in my house and where is my father?" I asked him.
"My name is Diego and I am one of the people your father happens to be owning," the elderly man replied.
I gasped. Owning? How comes?
"The look on your face means that you are unaware, right?" He asked me but I said nothing. With a soft sigh, he continued. "It's been five years already and your father has refused to return my money. Not only me, there are other business men like me and he is owning them all. I have come to collect my money."
"Where is my father?" I asked him. I was yet to understand what he is saying and the only way I would understand it is by seeing my father and hearing him talk.
"Your father is gone," the man announced. "He should be dead by now."
My world tilted.
"What... what do you mean gone?" I asked, my voice barely escaping my lips. "Where is he?"
Diego studied me carefully, as if debating how much truth to offer. With a long sigh, he motioned for one of his men, who stepped forward and handed him a folded piece of paper. Diego opened it and held it out to me.
It was a letter.
My hands trembled as I took it. The paper was slightly crumpled, a little damp… like it had been gripped too tightly.
I recognized the handwriting immediately.
It was his.
My dearest Seraphina,
By the time you read this, I will already be gone. I don't have the courage to look you in the eyes and say goodbye. I've failed you. I tried to protect you, to shield you from the consequences of my choices… but I've run out of time. I borrowed money thinking I could make things better—for both of us. I thought I had control. I didn't.
The people I owe… they don't forgive. They don't forget.
I'm sorry for all the birthdays I missed, for all the tears I didn't see, for leaving you alone now when you need someone the most. Please, don't blame yourself. Live. Keep going, even when it hurts.
You were the best thing in my life. I only wish I had been better for you.
With all the love I have left,
Dad.
The letter slipped from my hand and floated gently to the floor.
"No," I whispered.
It couldn't be true.
But it was.
"He couldn't pay back the money," Diego said after a pause. "Rather than face the consequences, he chose the easy way out."
"Don't you dare say it like that!" I snapped, my voice sharp, slicing through the air like a blade. My chest rose and fell rapidly, my heart pounding like a warning drum.
Diego raised an eyebrow but said nothing more.
I stumbled backward until my legs gave out and I sank to the floor. The walls felt like they were closing in. Everything I knew—everything I believed in—collapsed in an instant.
My father was dead.
Not murdered.
Not missing.
But gone by choice.
And he left me… just like that.
No final hug. No goodbye. Just a letter and silence.
I was truly alone now.
Utterly alone.
What happened to everything? To all the dreams of living a good life someday?