"Ten Letters" by Leah Astrum, summary Automatic translate

Lia Astrum’s novel, written in 2021, is a poignant story about the discovery of inner freedom by two people with broken lives, raised under the same roof but unrelated by blood. Vivian Brown and Alexander Miller are forced to overcome the consequences of severe psychological trauma. For many years, the young woman and man struggle with their own fears and external circumstances that hinder their emotional intimacy.

A Dark Past and a Clinic in the Alps

The events of the novel are constantly intertwined with a painful past. Five years ago, Vivian was in the Swiss clinic Les Alpes. Her condition was on the verge of collapse. Her muscles and joints were seized with unbearable pain. Vivian lost track of time, begging for death. The medical staff forcibly restrained her. Men pinned her to the bed, rigidly holding her arms. They administered powerful drugs against her will. During these terrible times, someone stood by her side, maintaining her faith in life.

Alexander Miller, Vivian’s half-brother on his stepfather’s side, also suffered deep emotional wounds. His youth was spent under the constant oppression of his domineering father, Richard Miller. Richard methodically suppressed his son, imposing his own strict rules. Tragedy lurked in Alexander’s past — the loss of a loved one named Amanda. Memories of the ten-year-old girl he’d taken on a trip to Waimea Bay, Hawaii, haunted him. Alexander actively practiced hand-to-hand combat. Blade training helped him release his pent-up rage. He skillfully hid his vulnerable emotions behind a mask of aloofness and ostentatious cruelty.

New Life in New York

The action shifts to the present. Vivian Brown returns to New York after a long stay in London. She tries to establish a normal life. She starts a new job and gains new colleagues and friends. Among them, her close friend Beatrice stands out. Vivian tries to avoid past mistakes and destructive relationships. She distances herself from a certain James because of his constant lies. She finds solace in simple things. She enjoys eating choux pastries with pistachio cream in front of the TV and having long conversations over a glass of wine.

Society dictates its own harsh rules. Vivian is associated with the Eloise Alford Foundation, a charitable organization with a twenty-year history. The life of Manhattan’s elite is rife with snobbery. Appearing in public in mass-market clothing is equated with social degradation. A personal driver and a fifty-dollar daily coffee are considered the norm. Vivian accepts these rules of the game. She enjoys comfort without losing her critical perspective.

Tension builds

Alexander reappears in her daily life. His persistent presence evokes a storm of emotions in Vivian. She experiences a frightening attraction and a panicky fear of her stepbrother’s unpredictability. They regularly encounter each other. Alexander can force her to agree to a trip together, waiting in the car outside her house. The tension between them grows with each encounter. Their glances and casual touches reveal deeply hidden feelings. Both are afraid to let these emotions out.

The young couple’s relationship develops against the backdrop of family secrets. Richard Miller continues to exert destructive pressure on those around him. Recognizing the threat, Vivian begins gathering incriminating evidence against her stepfather. She copies secret files to a securely encrypted flash drive. She seriously plans to use this information to protect Alexander. Vivian is prepared to resort to outright blackmail. Her main condition is to force Richard to leave his son alone forever.

Tragedies and partings

The sudden death of Edward Alford changes the course of events. The tragedy is officially ruled a common accident caused by alcohol intoxication. The man tripped and cracked his head on a sharp piece of glass. Paramedics arriving at the scene pronounced him dead. This grim incident heightens the characters’ anxiety. Alexander is forced to urgently fly to China to resolve corporate issues. The distance between the young people once again grows insurmountably.

The emotional tension reaches its absolute peak. A brutal argument erupts between Vivian and Alexander. Alexander pushes Vivian away. In a fit of rage, he rudely sends her away, shouting that he never wants to see her again. These terrible words rip the soul apart. Vivian is left alone, heartbroken and hopes dashed. It seems their tangled bond is finally severed.

Letters and deep repentance

Letters occupy a special place in the narrative. One of the messages falls into Alexander’s hands. The text profoundly shocks the young man. Reading these lines instantly destroys the protective barriers he had erected. Alexander experiences a crushing sense of guilt. Unable to cope with his emotions, he furiously smashes the furniture in his office. He knocks objects off his desk, cutting his hands on sharp paper clips. He paces the room like a cornered animal. The realization of his own mistakes comes at the cost of immense mental anguish.

Alexander suddenly understands Vivian’s true worth. He resolves to make amends. He is ready to fight recklessly for their future. He returns to Vivian, asking for forgiveness for the pain he caused. Alexander vows to erase all traumatic memories from her mind. For the first time, he openly declares his love for her. These words erase all barriers and doubts. Vivian weeps, freed from years of burden, while Alexander kisses her face.

Conflict resolution and happy endings

The story concludes one year later. The powerful Richard Miller dies, leaving his vast empire to his son. A crucial legal nuance is revealed: the late magnate never formally adopted Vivian Brown. No formal obstacles to the couple’s love affair exist anymore. The press actively discusses their relationship, questioning the morality of the matter. The couple is completely unconcerned about public opinion.

Alexander is celebrating his twenty-seventh birthday. He rents out the entire floor of the panoramic SKY restaurant. Only Vivian is present at the lavish celebration. The young couple drink champagne and dance, openly displaying their sincere affection under the gaze of reporters.

Alexander proposes romantically to Vivian. The ring is hidden in one of the safes among her personal belongings. The young couple cheerfully discuss their upcoming grand wedding. They joke about the ring size and make grand plans. They find their well-deserved happiness. They leave all their ordeals behind. Alexander firmly declares that this wedding will be her first and last. He knows for sure that they will be together until the very end.