But there was one positive thing to come out of this tragedy.
Carmela had made sure to leave letters for everyone before she'd gone.
She'd written them in the quiet hours of the night, pouring her heart onto paper in a way she could never manage face to face.
Each letter was a farewell, a confession, a final gift to the people she'd come to love.
—
Isabelle had received a letter that made the head maid break down in tears.
Dear Isabelle,
I don't know where to begin. When I first arrived at the estate, I was wary of everyone. I expected betrayal, expected to be hurt. I'd learned the hard way that trust was a weakness.
But you were the first person to break through my walls. You never treated me with fear or suspicion, even though you knew what I was.
You just...accepted me.
You took care of me, made sure I had everything I needed, and never once asked for anything in return.
