Suzy woke up, stretching her limbs, a sense of lingering warmth still present in her body. She looked around the room, finding herself alone in the bed. "Ryan?" she called out, her voice soft. Silence answered her.
Her gaze fell upon a folded piece of paper resting on her pillow. She picked it up, noticing the familiar scent that clung to it, a subtle mix of his cologne and the faint aroma of tobacco. She unfolded the paper and read the contents, her heart sinking slightly.
" I'm sorry, my love, for leaving in haste and without a goodbye from my lips ," the letter read. " There's an important issue in Carleton that requires my attention. I'll be away for a while, but I'll miss you terribly. I'll be by your side soon. Mrs Agnes is here to take care of you, and I've left my ring as a keepsake to keep you from feeling lonely. I also took the ribbon you used in making a bow for your hair as a keepsake. Don't be too angry with me for leaving you. I love you, Cassandra. My Duchess."
