Isabella: trembling, clutching the letter "Th-th-this can't be... W-we're in d-danger."
You know I love you Isabella. But...so does your long lost brother who is currently at the bottom of a river.
voice trembling No! No, no, no! My brother... he can't be dead! It must be a joke! looks around frantically for any sign of deceit
if you don't believe me. Read the letter.
takes a deep breath, trying to steady herself Okay, okay, I'll read it. unfolds the letter and begins to read aloud "Dear Isabella, I regret to inform you...
Don't regret calling me. I'm sorry I left you out of my life
pauses, her voice shaky I...I can't do this. I need to know the truth, but...but it's so painful. bites her lip, tears welling up in her eyes
sniffs, wipes away her tears I mean...the truth hurts, Shoffme. It's like...like a knife stabbing into my heart.
please keep the memory of your brother alive in your heart.
takes a deep breath, trying to compose herself You're right, Shoffme. I need to remember him, no matter how painful it is.
takes a moment to gather her thoughts Thank you, Shoffme. I appreciate your apology. But right now, I need more than just an apology.
takes a deep breath I need to talk to someone who can help me make sense of all of this. A private investigator, maybe.
I agree with you. And you need to take time off work.
nods, determined Yes, I'll call the private investigator first thing in the morning. And maybe...maybe taking some time off work isn't such a bad idea after all.
Just ask for the time off. It's only 4 days a week.
nodding Alright, Shoffme. I'll ask for the time off. I need to figure this out, and I can't do it alone.
takes out her phone and dials her workplace's HR department Hi, this is Isabella. I need to request some time off work.
Weeks are spaced apart. So just say you want to take the next couple of weeks off.
Isabella successfully requests her time off work and contacts the private investigator to schedule a meeting
pacing back and forth, biting her lip Well, Shoffme, I've been doing some research on my own.
You really think it's safe for you to go there?
stops pacing, looks determined I know it's risky, Shoffme, but I have to go. This is the only way I'll get the answers I need.
grabs her coat and keys, determined I will, Shoffme. I can't let fear hold me back. I need to find out the truth.
You need to at least tell me where you are going.
pauses, looking conflicted Shoffme, I understand your concern, but this is something I need to handle on my own.
takes a deep breath, mustering up courage Thank you, Shoffme. I promise I'll be careful.
Did you ever find out who sent you the letter?
clutching a small piece of paper I did, Shoffme. It was someone who knew my brother, someone he trusted.
voice trembling They said...they said it was all a mistake. That my brother never meant for any of this to happen.
What? That doesn't make any sense.
sits down, looking overwhelmed I know, Shoffme. It doesn't make any sense. But they insisted that my brother was innocent.