The next day, a letter arrived for Alina. She was surprised. No one used to write letters to her. She froze when she saw the name of the sender.
Elspeth.
Elspeth hadn't written to her before.
So why now?
Her hands trembled as she broke the seal and opened it.
Dearest Alina,
Your father is sick. The physician says it's because of the drinking. He doesn't have much time left. He has been asking for you. He knows he has no right. But he wants to see you before he goes. If you can come, come quickly. If you can't, I understand.
Elspeth.
Alina couldn't believe the words. She read the letter again and again.
Father is dying??
Given his drinking habits, it wasn't impossible but reading about it still made her heart ache. She thought about her father, who had stayed with her the entire time when her mother passed away, before he became addicted to gambling and drinking.
