At my parent's place I bring my luggage into my room. It still has all the photos from senior year. Pulling them off the mirror I put them in a box.

I need to forget what my life used to be like. Those are memories. Some I don't need to be reminded about. Ever.

A picture of Ronnie and I is in the centre and he has his arms slung around my shoulder's. He has a smile on his face and it looks like a genuine one.

I don't think he hated me during this time of our lives.

He tagged along with Eliza and me wherever we went and he enjoyed all the things we did together, but after graduation was when things changed for him and I think it was that moment when he reconnected with Casey.

She was the one that made people change. She never let people do what they wanted and to this day it's the thing I hate the most about her.

Slowly I start packing everything away. I intend to put things in the attic until I'm ready to deal with everything that's in my room.

Opening the zip I find an envelope in the suitcase. I pull it out and see a letter from Eliza.

When was this slipped into my bag? There's no way Eliza was close to this bag before we left. Unless Mom put it there for me.

Opening the envelope I pull the letter out. Before I can read it a picture falls out. Taking a close look at it I see it's an ultrasound and a smile spreads across my face.

I have the perfect spot for this.

I place it on the mirror. It has the name of the mother, date and time of the ultrasound. Touching the picture I whisper. "I hope someday you'll forgive me for letting your mother make decisions on your behalf."

Should I read this letter or leave it alone?

Putting it on the desk I decide that it can wait another day before I read it. I start to unpack my suitcase and put things in the drawers. I grab my phone from the nightstand and open the Facebook App. I have heaps of messages from people I went to school with and some that I used to play ball with.

They're all asking me the same question about why I did corporate fraud and take money from companies that didn't deserve it.

I can't believe they are reading all the garbage that's being said about me. I should set the record straight and let people know the truth and not the shit that the media is putting out about me.

Austin Wilde: I know a lot of you have heard all the stuff the media have said about me. Most of it is untrue. I was never convicted of Fraud. My ex fiancé was behind that stunt. She used a co-worker of mine to put the file in with my clients list. The FBI did their job and found the person responsible. Casey Jackson did steal from me. That's a factual statement from her and it made me proud that she was honest. Even if it was for a moment.

Hitting enter I watch as people start to reply to my post and remarkably most of them believe me and some aren't fans of what Casey did to me.

The door to my room opens and Mom has her phone in her hands. She looks at me and says. "Ronnie's been sending me messages. He wants you to call him tonight."

Why would he do that? The last time I spoke to him was before he tried to ruin things between Casey and me.

Taking the phone from Mom I message him.

Me: Ronnie, stop using Mom to send me messages. We're not friends anymore. I want you to leave me alone.

Ronnie: I'm sorry, Austin. Please, give me another chance. I didn't know she'd take things this far with you.

Me: It doesn't matter. How are things with your wife?

Ronnie: Not good. She left me. It's all my fault. I was too hooked up on Casey to think about her. One night I was on a bender and locked her outside. That was when she left.

Me: Do you blame her for leaving?

Ronnie: No. do you think she will come back to me?

Me: If you make the changes you need. I'm sure you can get her back. I think you might have her family to go through before you can see her.

Ronnie: Which sister do I need to reach out to?

Me: Katrina. Eliza. Take your pick. Those two wouldn't let you near her if you're not sincere. So, you should do something that will make them believe it.

Ronnie: I'm scared to reach out to her, though. I found a pregnancy test in the bathroom bin and it said she was pregnant.

Me: I didn't see that one coming, Ronnie. See a therapist and work through your anger from the death of Casey's sister.

Ronnie: She's not dead.
​
Me: How do you know?

Ronnie: I saw her last night. She's happy. Loves her job. She has a boyfriend. One that I'm not allowed to meet.

Me: I'm glad she came to you last night. Did you get the closure you needed?

Ronnie: Yes, it felt good to say 'goodbye' to her. Do you think she'll make herself known to Casey?

Me: Not yet. Once Casey's trial is up. She'll come forward just to let her sister know how disappointed she is.

Ronnie: I think that's the best thing she can do for her sister.

Me: I'm about to go to bed. Have a good night Ronnie.

Giving Mom back her phone I say. "Just block the number. I don't want him contacting Dad and you. We need to have boundaries when it comes to letting people know about me. The thing I want the most here is that no one can know I'm here. Just my therapist."

"We can do that for you. If people see you around town there's nothing we can do about that."

Kissing her I say. "Thanks, Mom." I close my bedroom door and strip out of my clothes. I put on a tank and briefs. Turning the bedside lamp on I head towards the light switch and turn it off." I move towards the bed and sit on it.

The piece of paper captures my attention and I pick it up. Unfolding it I begin to read the letter.

Dearest Austin,
                   I've been contemplating telling you about the pregnancy. You're mother however made things easier when she told you. I made her promise not to tell you, but when she ended up in hospital that was the perfect time to tell you about the baby.

Thank you for not chasing me down and demanding me to tell you why I kept it a secret. Thank you for letting me put our child's needs above yours.
Thank you for giving up your rights for access to our child. (I know it's not the easiest thing for you to give up.)
Thank you for approving the relationship that I have with Chad. It means the world to me that you're letting him take care of our daughter and me.

When she gets older you're parents will babysit. I hope you're there to spend time with her too. She's going to need her biological father with her throughout her childhood. I believer you're going to make a great Dad to our daughter.

- Eliza

Ps I like the way things turned out for us. We both should get the second chances we deserve and be happy. Find a great woman and have plenty of kids.

After reading the letter I climb into bed and fall asleep.