During the period of their temporary breakup, as Sarah embarked on her new career opportunity in the bustling city and Alex remained in their coastal cottage, life had taken on a melancholic hue. The pain of separation weighed heavily on both their hearts, leaving them with moments of solitude and reflection. Which also made Alex stop going for therapy.

One overcast morning, Alex decided to sort through some old belongings stored in a small wooden chest tucked away in a corner of their cottage. It was a task he had postponed for a long time, and he thought that going through his things might provide a distraction from the turmoil of their temporary separation.

As he rummaged through the chest, he came across a dusty box filled with letters and memorabilia from his time in the military. Among the letters, one envelope caught his attention. It was faded and yellowed with age, addressed to him and bearing the unmistakable emblem of the U.S. Army.

Curiosity piqued, Alex opened the envelope and began to read the letter it contained. It was written by a fellow soldier, a comrade from his platoon named Daniel. The letter was dated just before they had been deployed to a particularly dangerous mission, one that had left a lasting mark on Alex's life.

This mission was after the Iranian incident. The mission was to retrieve a hostage soldier in Southern Afghanistan. He and his teammates, Daniel included, that survived were able to get to the Extraction point but the other team didn't make it.

He often blamed himself for it because it was his idea for them to split up to find the hostage but it cost the lives of his men that lost their way, unable to find the LZ.

The words on the page were heartfelt and raw, a testament to the bond shared by soldiers in the heat of battle. Daniel expressed his deep admiration for Alex, recognizing his unwavering commitment to the platoon and the sacrifices he had made.

As Alex continued to read, his heart heavy with emotion, he came across a passage that left him stunned:
"Alex, I want you to know that what happened on that mission wasn't your fault. You've been carrying the weight of it for far too long. We were all in it together, and you did everything you could to protect us. The guilt you feel is misplaced. It's time to let go of the ghosts of the past."

The words hit Alex like a sledgehammer. He had carried the burden of that mission, the memory of the loss and the guilt, for years. He had believed that he was responsible for the outcome, that there was more he could have done to protect his comrades.

But Daniel's letter revealed a different truth—a truth that challenged the narrative of guilt that had haunted Alex for so long. It was a revelation that left him in tears, a mix of emotions flooding his heart.

As he continued to read the letter, he discovered that Daniel had been in therapy for PTSD himself and had found solace in confronting the trauma of their wartime experiences. He encouraged Alex to seek help and to find a way to heal the emotional scars that had been inflicted on him.

The words of the letter were like a beacon of light in the darkness that had enveloped Alex's heart. They offered a glimmer of hope, a possibility that he could finally find the healing he had long yearned for.

With the letter in hand, Alex made a decision. He would reach out to Daniel, his comrade and confidant, to learn more about his journey to healing and to seek guidance on how to confront his own past.

In the coming days, he managed to track down Daniel, who had returned to the civilian life and was now working as a counselor for veterans. They arranged a meeting at a local café, and as they sat down over coffee and chocolate cake and talked. Their conversation opened a door to a world of healing that Alex had not explored before.

Daniel shared his experiences in therapy and how it had allowed him to confront the traumas of war. He encouraged Alex to seek help, to address the guilt and pain he had been carrying, and to find a way to heal the emotional wounds that had been inflicted on him.

"Alex," Daniel said, his voice filled with understanding, "you're not alone in this. We were all in that mission together, and the burden you've been carrying doesn't belong solely to you. It's time to let go of the guilt and start the journey to healing."

Alex's throat was thick with emotion but was able to blurt out some words
"But it was my idea to split the team up to find the hostage but they lost their way, because of me." Alex said, his eyes burning with pain.

"Yes Alex you suggested that because since Master sergeant was down, you had to take up the leading role as First Sergeant." Daniel replied "But you also remember that if Henry and the rest of the boys that lost their way had listened to you when you told us to regroup after we found the hostage, they would still be here. They wanted to follow Alpha team that was close to their position, even though we and Alpha team were not in the same mission. They didn't want to take the stress of walking to the Extraction point. Remember Alex?" Daniel asked wanting Alex to stop feeling guilty.

"I do" Alex's voice was barely above a whisper.

"But they lost their way finding Alpha team and we were already in the chopper and we couldn't go back because there was a nuclear bomb threat in that area and everyone was ordered to go to the base. Besides, you were still recovering emotionally from the Iranian bomb blast. So, stop blaming yourself." Daniel advices.

With Daniel's guidance, Alex began the process of seeking therapy, again. It was a daunting step, but he was willing to confront the past and find the peace he so desperately needed.

As the weeks passed, Alex's therapy sessions became a space where he could finally share the emotional burdens he had carried for years. He spoke about the mission, the loss of comrades, and the guilt that had consumed him.

With each session, he found a path toward healing, a way to confront the ghosts of the past and to release the guilt that had held him captive. The memories that had tormented him slowly began to recede, replaced by a sense of understanding and acceptance.

The discovery of Daniel's letter had become a turning point in Alex's life, a revelation that had the power to set him on a journey of healing and self-discovery. It was a chapter of his life that he had long yearned to write, a chapter that held the promise of peace and closure.

As he delved deeper into therapy, Alex found the strength to address the trauma of his wartime experiences, and in doing so, he hoped to find a way to bridge the emotional gap in his relationship with Sarah. Their love had weathered storms before, and now, armed with the power of healing and understanding, he believed it could weather this one as well.