Her breathing was uneven.
“I told Douglas that Hannah had chosen someone else. That was a lie. I told him because I believed he would leave us if he knew she still loved him. I thought I was saving my family.”
The tape crackled.
“I spoke to Hannah’s mother. She said Hannah was waiting for Douglas. I knew then that I had done something unforgivable. But I was afraid to correct it. Every day I told myself I would do it tomorrow.”
I closed my eyes.
“Douglas wrote thirty-seven letters. I kept them. I told myself I would give them to Hannah when the time was right. There was never a right time.”
The recording paused, followed by a faint sound of paper moving.
“Today I learned that Douglas has married Elaine. He says he will be a good husband. I believe him. He has always tried to become what other people need.”
