Hana threw a stone into the calm sea, creating ripples that would change everything. The people sitting in front of Hana all looked at her with expectant faces – what would she say next? If it wasn’t for love or money, why did she marry him?! Hana could almost hear what people were thinking.
“My lawyer will explain the rest,” she said. It was time to tell the town the whole truth. She knew the full disclosure would shock people, but she believed it was a shock they needed to endure.
The lawyer nodded his head gently, reassuring her, as if telegraphing an unspoken promise that everything would be okay. Hana was nervous, but comforted by the fact that the lawyer was there. “First, I must express my regrets to you all,” the lawyer began to say. His firm tone caused outrage among the villagers, but he was unwavering. He reached into his pocket and unfolded a crumpled piece of paper, “This is a letter Haru wrote himself a few days before he passed away.” The room fell silent at this revelation, and all eyes focused on the lawyer. “Let me read it to you.”