A photograph, hidden behind our engagement picture, unveiled a part of Emily’s life I had never known. It made me question everything I thought I understood about the woman I loved.
The house, now empty of her warmth, felt alien. The sympathy cards and casseroles left by well-meaning friends did little to fill the void. Her sister Jane had tidied up in my absence, making the home look sterile and unfamiliar. Emily’s scent, the essence of her presence, was gone, replaced by the sharpness of cleaning products. Every corner of the house whispered memories of her, and each one struck like a blow.
I clung to the engagement photo, a memory of happier times when life was simpler, and Emily’s laughter was the soundtrack of my days. As I held it, something shifted behind the frame. I found a hidden photograph—a younger Emily cradling a newborn wrapped in a pink blanket. Her face was a mixture of exhaustion, fear, and boundless love. On the back, written in her shaky handwriting, were the words, “Mama will always love you,”followed by a phone number.
