William Digby's Last Letter

Dear Theodora, what to say to you?
You have your mother's eyes and my name.

You know me as your mother's former employer, but I was actually more than that.
When she left me, I fall apart.
My world back then was only my small estate and I thought it was enough.

I was ready to die with the old world, in the estate I inherited from my ancestors.
However your mother changed all that, and her departure pushed me to be a better man.

I swore that
I’ll do whatever it takes
I’ll make a million mistakes
To win your mother's heart back

However, it is all just a dream now.
She have passed away before I managed to do anything and I am not even man enough to admit to you that I am your father.

However, the years we have spent since we reunited changed me again in a way that your mother couldn't.

There is so much more inside me now
Oh Theodora, when you smile I am undone
Whenever we're together time turned slow

Now, I swear that
I’ll be around for you
I’ll do whatever it takes
I’m done with making mistakes

I’ll make the world safe and sound for you
As you come of age, I will be there for you
I'll bleed and fight for you, together we'll make it right for you

Theodora, will you forgive your foolish father and start over together?
I will leave all of my businesses and go back to Glasgow with you.

I have enough money for us to leave quietly for a lot of years.
As a seat holder in the House of Lords, I also got quite the sum every year.

Please Theodora, forgive your unmanly father.
and someday we will live peacefully in our house in Glasgow
someday we will plant all the flowers in our garden like you say
and then someday the man destinied for you will come and praise your garden like in your favourite novel
someday I will be a doting father, refusing to give you to the man who want to marry you
and someday I will give up and you married that man
and someday you'll come home every Christmas back to our home with your husband and children
and someday
I will die knowing that I did not let go of your hand

With love,

William Digby, your foolish father