Nelly pulled up to Fredrick's house, her mind still preoccupied with the mysterious envelope and David's secrecy. She took a deep breath, pushing those thoughts aside, and focused on the task at hand.

As she stepped out of the car, Fredrick emerged from the front door, a look of anticipation on his face. "Hey, how did it go with Fiona?" he asked, his eyes searching for answers.

Nelly's expression turned somber. "I'm afraid it didn't go well," she said, her voice gentle but honest. "Fiona's not on board with the idea. She's got concerns and doubts."

Fredrick's face fell, his eyes clouding over with disappointment. "What did she say exactly?" he asked, his voice laced with a hint of frustration.

Nelly hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "She's worried about the potential consequences and thinks we should be cautious. She's not convinced it's the right thing to do."

Fredrick nodded thoughtfully, his expression unreadable. "I see," he said, his voice measured. "Well, I appreciate your honesty, Nelly. I'll need to think this through."

Nelly's eyes locked onto his, her mind racing with the unspoken words. She knew there was more to discuss, but for now, she held back, waiting for the right moment to reveal the contents of the mysterious envelope.

Later that day, Nelly found Fredrick in his study, surrounded by papers and books. She knocked softly on the doorframe, and he looked up, his eyes tired but focused.

"Fredrick, can I have a word with you?" Nelly asked, her hand instinctively going to the envelope in her pocket.

"Of course, Nelly. What's on your mind?" Fredrick replied, his voice warm and inviting.

Nelly stepped forward, pulling out the
envelope. "I almost forgot to give you this earlier. David gave it to me, asked me to deliver it to you personally."

Fredrick's expression changed, a hint of surprise and curiosity crossing his face. "An envelope from David? What's this about?"

Nelly shrugged. "He didn't say. Just asked me to make sure you got it."

Fredrick took the envelope, his fingers brushing against Nelly's as he did so. He looked at her, his eyes searching for answers, but Nelly just smiled and shook her head.

"I don't know what's inside, Fredrick. But I think it's important."

Fredrick nodded, his expression thoughtful. He turned the envelope over in his hands, studying it carefully before finally opening it. As he pulled out the contents, his eyes scanned the pages, his expression changing from curiosity to shock.

As Fredrick's eyes scanned the pages, his face fell, and his expression crumpled. He looked like he had been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him. His eyes widened in shock, and his skin paled as he read the words that cut deep into his soul.

Nelly watched in horror as Fredrick's face contorted in pain, his eyes welling up with tears. He looked like he had been stabbed in the back, betrayed by the one person he thought he could trust.

The letter from David, his own son, was a scathing indictment of Fredrick's actions. The words on the page were like a knife, twisting and turning, leaving deep wounds that
would never heal.

"I regret having you as a father," David's letter read. "Your actions with my mother were unforgivable. You broke her heart, and you broke mine."

Fredrick's eyes scanned the page again, as if hoping to find some mistake, some misinterpretation. But the words remained the same, a harsh condemnation of his past mistakes.

He felt like he was drowning in a sea of regret, unable to catch his breath. His mind reeled as he thought of all the times he had failed his son, all the times he had put his own interests ahead of David's needs.

Nelly's voice was a distant echo, a soft whisper in his ear. "Fredrick, I'm so sorry. I had no idea."
But Fredrick didn't hear her. He was lost in a world of pain and regret, his heart shattered into a million pieces.

Nelly's eyes filled with compassion as she watched Fredrick's world crumble around him. She took a step forward, her hand reaching out to comfort him.

"Fredrick, I'm so sorry," she said, her voice soft and gentle. "I had no idea David felt this way."

Fredrick's eyes were fixed on the letter, his gaze frozen in shock. Nelly's words barely registered, but she continued to try and reach him.

"Fredrick, look at me," she said, her voice firm but gentle. "You can't blame yourself for everything. You did the best you could as a father."

Fredrick's eyes slowly lifted, his gaze
meeting Nelly's. She saw the deep pain and regret etched on his face, and her heart went out to him.

"No, I didn't," Fredrick whispered, his voice cracking. "I was so blind, so selfish. I ruined everything."

Nelly took another step forward, her arms opening wide. "Fredrick, you can't change the past, but you can try to make amends. Talk to David, explain your side of the story."

Fredrick shook his head, his eyes welling up with tears. "It's too late. He's made it clear he doesn't want me in his life."

Nelly's arms enveloped Fredrick, holding him close as he broke down. She let him cry, her own tears falling silently as she held him.

"It's not too late," she whispered.

"Family is about forgiveness and second chances. Don't give up, Fredrick."

As Nelly held him, Fredrick felt a weight slowly lift off his shoulders. The tears he had been holding back for so long finally began to subside, replaced by a sense of relief. He felt like he had been carrying the burden of his past mistakes for far too long, and Nelly's words of comfort and understanding had finally given him permission to let go.

As he pulled back from Nelly's àßembrace, Fredrick felt a sense of calm wash over him. He took a deep breath, feeling the tension in his body ease.

"Thank you, Nelly," he said, his voice still shaking slightly. "Just talking to you, sharing this with you...it's like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

Nelly smiled, her eyes warm with compassion. "That's what friends are for, Fredrick. We carry each other's burdens."

As Nelly turned to leave, Fredrick felt a pang of gratitude towards her. He realized that he didn't have to face his demons alone, that there were people like Nelly who cared about him and wanted to help.

"Wait, Nelly," Fredrick said, his voice a little stronger now. "Thank you again. I don't know what I would do without you."

Nelly turned back, her smile softening. "You'll never have to find out, Fredrick. I'm here for you, always."