Chapter 7: Unraveling the Past

Evelyn sat in her car, gripping the small envelope Alexander had given her. The city lights flickered outside, but her mind was trapped in the past. With a deep breath, she tore open the seal and unfolded the letter inside.

Evelyn,

I know I should have told you this years ago, but I was afraid. Afraid of losing you. Afraid of what the truth might do. But now that you're back, I can't keep running from it.

There was never anyone else. There was never a betrayal. What happened that night—the night you left—was a misunderstanding that I never got the chance to explain. I should have chased after you, but by the time I found out you were gone, it was too late. If you can find it in your heart to hear me out, I owe you the truth.

- Alexander

Her fingers trembled as she read the words over and over. The pain she had buried for years bubbled up to the surface, threatening to drown her. She had left that night because she was convinced she had seen the truth. Now, doubt crept in. Could she have been wrong?

A sharp knock on her window jolted her back to the present. She quickly wiped her eyes and turned to see Claire, her best friend, peering through the glass. With a sigh, she unlocked the door, and Claire slid into the passenger seat.

"Are you okay?" Claire asked, her gaze immediately landing on the letter in Evelyn's hand. "What's that?"

Evelyn hesitated before passing it to her. Claire scanned the letter, her expression shifting from curiosity to disbelief. "So he's saying he never cheated?"

Evelyn nodded. "That's what it sounds like."

Claire pursed her lips. "And do you believe him?"

Evelyn leaned back against the seat, staring at the ceiling. "I don't know. I was so sure back then. I saw him with another woman. They were so close… and when I confronted him, he hesitated. I took that as confirmation and ran."

"Eve, you've always been the type to assume the worst when it comes to relationships." Claire reached out and squeezed her hand. "Maybe it's time you let yourself hear him out."

Evelyn exhaled slowly. "What if he's lying? What if this is just another game?"

Claire gave her a knowing look. "Then you walk away for good. But at least this time, you'll know for sure."

That night, Evelyn lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep eluded her as memories of the past resurfaced. The way Alexander had looked at her that night, the way his hand had lingered on that woman's arm. It had felt like betrayal then, but now… doubt gnawed at her.

Morning arrived faster than she expected. At work, she buried herself in tasks, trying to drown out her thoughts. But it was impossible to ignore the way her phone seemed to taunt her. Alexander hadn't messaged her since last night, but she knew he was waiting for her to make the next move.

By lunchtime, she had made up her mind.

She typed out a quick message. "We need to talk."

Within minutes, her phone buzzed. "Tonight. My place."

Her heart pounded. This was it. The moment she had spent years avoiding.

That evening, Evelyn found herself standing in front of Alexander's penthouse. It had been years, but everything about it felt the same. The air smelled of cedar and faint cologne. The memories threatened to swallow her whole.

She raised her hand to knock, but before she could, the door swung open.

Alexander stood there, looking as calm and composed as ever. But there was something in his eyes—something hesitant, almost vulnerable.

"Come in," he said, stepping aside.

She hesitated before crossing the threshold. The place was exactly as she remembered—modern, elegant, yet strangely impersonal. He led her to the living room, where a bottle of wine sat on the table.

"Drink?" he offered.

She shook her head. "No games, Alexander. Just talk."

He sighed and sat across from her, running a hand through his hair. "Alright. Let's talk."

She clenched her fists. "That night, I saw you with her. The way you touched her, the way you whispered to her. I thought—"

"You thought I was cheating." He finished for her, his voice heavy. "But you never stayed to hear the truth."

She narrowed her eyes. "Then tell me now."

He leaned forward. "That woman was my cousin. Maria. She had just gotten divorced and was in the middle of a custody battle. She needed someone to lean on, and I was there for her. That's all."

Evelyn's breath hitched. "But you hesitated when I asked you."

He rubbed his temples. "Because I was shocked. I couldn't believe you thought that of me. And before I could explain, you were gone. You didn't even let me fight for us."

Silence filled the room. Evelyn felt like the ground had been pulled from under her. Had she really spent years resenting him over a misunderstanding?

"Why didn't you ever come after me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

His jaw tightened. "I tried. But you had already cut me out of your life. Your number changed. Your apartment was empty. You didn't leave me a way to find you."

Her chest tightened. Had she been so determined to escape that she had never even given him a chance?

She looked away, trying to process everything. The anger, the pain, the regret—it all mixed into a chaotic storm inside her. She had spent years building walls to keep him out, only to realize she might have been the one in the wrong all along.

Alexander reached out, gently placing his hand over hers. "Evelyn, I never stopped caring about you. But I need to know—can you forgive me?"

Her eyes met his, and for the first time in years, she saw the man she had fallen in love with.

But could she let herself love him again?