I woke up slowly.
The same experience I've been feeling in this hell, but it was different. I couldn't breathe; a terrible pressure rested on my neck. I tried to move, and suddenly, I fell. The impact only highlighted the weakness of my body...
When I properly regained consciousness, I noticed it: a rope around my neck, and on the ceiling, the rest of it, broken...
On my neck... marks caused by immense pressure. The slightest touch was more than enough to cause pain.
—I... wanted to...?
No... Why?
I looked around me. The apartment, my apartment.
In my pocket... a letter...
I remembered.
I had written it before ending everything, before hell began, as a farewell...
I checked the front door, and it was open. I checked the bathroom, and there was nothing...
I opened the windows that were now visible to me...
And in my room, there lay my little one...
...
—She's not here.
My little girl wasn't in her crib.
Fear, doubt, panic had taken hold of me, but they were nothing more than fleeting emotions that soon vanished into the evening breeze...
I understood.
—There was no way you could have known, darling...
—She didn't survive either...
Neither of them did.
...
I always knew...
No matter how much I deceived myself, my fragmented and lost memories eventually came together like a twisted puzzle. Now I knew everything.
I...
Had no reason to continue.
No family...
I searched the room until I found it: a pistol. One bullet.
—I... can't...
—I can't remain without you...
—I'm sorry, darling...
—Serena...
—Emily...
...
...
...
As my finger slowly pulled the trigger, in one fleeting moment, all the memories of my life passed through my mind. However, one stood out.
One memory remained engraved...
The letter I wrote before hanging myself, before entering the nightmares, before hell...
...
...
"Forgive me, darling. I know it's been months since I last wrote to you, but I still want to write this letter to apologize.
I promised to be a great husband. I promised to be an excellent father...
But I haven't been able to fulfill either promise, and honestly, I don't want to try again with anyone who isn't you.
I tried to cope with your loss, and with our daughter's, but every day I dreamed of you. Even in my nightmares I relived the same thing over and over. If only I had stopped you, if only I hadn't... if only we hadn't taken that trip. If I could go back, I would sacrifice myself so that you could keep living happily...
If we had never met, maybe you would still be alive. If we hadn't gotten engaged in that beautiful ceremonial forest, maybe... perhaps... just perhaps... the ending of your story would be different...
For several months I was trapped in the same nightmares and memories. I even sold our house to try to make a new beginning...
I went to visit you and our daughter. I buried her beside you so you could be together. I don't know if I'll be able to join you, but I no longer want to continue without you.
Forgive me, darling. If I can't find my way to you, I hope the two of you are happy.
If heaven or hell exists, I'll most likely end up consumed by the flames.
The rope... awaits me.
I no longer have hope in myself.
Maybe the world will want to give me another chance someday, but I feel like the rope is calling me...
I love you both."