Chapter 20: The Weight of the Past

Evelyn had always believed that time healed all wounds. But as she sat in her dimly lit apartment, staring at the ceiling, she realized that some wounds simply scarred over, leaving a dull ache that never truly faded.

Her meeting with Alexander had stirred up emotions she thought she had buried. She had told herself that she was strong, that she had moved on. But seeing him again—hearing his voice, watching the way he still looked at her—had unraveled her carefully constructed walls.

The worst part? She didn't know how she felt about it.

Her phone rang, snapping her out of her thoughts. Claire's name flashed on the screen, and for a brief moment, she considered ignoring it. But she knew Claire well enough to understand that she wouldn't stop calling until she got an answer.

Sighing, she picked up. "Hey."

"You sound like you got hit by a truck," Claire said, not bothering with pleasantries. "How did it go?"

Evelyn rubbed her temple. "I don't know."

"That's not an answer."

She exhaled. "It's the only one I have."

Claire made a thoughtful sound. "So, did he grovel? Beg for forgiveness? Swear he's changed?"

"He explained," Evelyn admitted. "Told me why he left."

"And?"

"And I don't know how I feel about it." She leaned back against the couch, her fingers curling around the blanket draped over her legs. "Part of me wants to believe him. The other part wants to never see him again."

Claire was quiet for a moment before speaking. "Look, Evie, you don't have to decide anything right now. Just... let yourself feel whatever you're feeling."

Evelyn closed her eyes. "That's the problem. I don't know what I'm feeling."

"Then maybe it's not about him," Claire said. "Maybe it's about you."

Evelyn frowned. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, maybe it's not just about what he did. Maybe it's about whether you're ready to open that door again, whether or not he deserves it."

Evelyn let that sink in. Claire had a point. It wasn't just about Alexander. It was about her—what she wanted, what she needed. And she wasn't sure she had an answer to that yet.

"Thanks, Claire."

"Anytime. Now, get some sleep. You sound like a zombie."

Evelyn managed a small smile. "Goodnight."

She ended the call and set her phone aside. Sleep seemed impossible, but she knew she had to at least try. Curling up under the blanket, she let her mind drift, trying to silence the thoughts that wouldn't let her rest.

But deep down, she knew that this was just the beginning. Alexander's return had shattered the peace she had carefully built, and whether she liked it or not, she would have to face the truth sooner or later.

And the truth was, she wasn't sure she was ready for what came next.