The Face from the Past

Chapter 3 – The Face from the Past

Evelyn had told herself she was ready.

That if she ever saw Adrian again, she would be calm, composed, and in control.

She had practiced the words in her head, the ones she would say to him if he ever dared to show up again.

"How could you leave?"

"Did I mean nothing to you?"

"Do you know how much you hurt me?"

But standing outside Willow Café, her hands clenched into fists, she realized—

She wasn't ready at all.

The café was quiet in the early morning, the scent of fresh coffee drifting through the air. Her heart hammered against her ribs as she reached for the door handle.

She had texted the number that sent the letter.

One message.

"Where are you?"

And an hour later, she got a reply.

"Willow Café. 10 AM."

Her breath came out shaky. She pushed open the door.

And there he was.

Sitting by the window, as if he had never left.

Adrian Hale.

---

The Ghost Who Came Back to Life

For a second, everything around her disappeared.

The noise of the café faded. The smell of coffee, the soft chatter of customers, the clinking of cups—it all became nothing.

All she saw was him.

His hair was slightly longer, the sharp angles of his face more defined. His storm-gray eyes, the ones she had dreamed about for years, were locked onto her the moment she stepped inside.

He looked… the same.

But also different.

As if the years had left their mark on him, just like they had on her.

She forced herself to move forward, each step feeling heavier than the last.

Adrian didn't look away.

Didn't flinch.

He simply watched her, waiting.

Like he knew this moment would come.

She reached the table, inhaled sharply, and sat down across from him.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, Adrian tilted his head slightly, his voice as smooth as she remembered.

"Hey, Ev."

She stiffened.

Ev.

He used to call her that. Back when they were kids, when they were in love, when she thought he would never hurt her.

She swallowed, gripping her hands together under the table.

"I got your letter," she said, her voice colder than she expected.

Adrian nodded. "I figured."

Silence stretched between them.

Evelyn took a slow breath. She wouldn't break.

"Why now?" she asked, her voice steady. "After all these years? Why send me that letter?"

Adrian leaned back in his seat, exhaling slowly.

"Because," he said, his gaze never leaving hers.

"It's time you know the truth."

---

Seven Years of Silence

Evelyn's nails dug into her palm.

"The truth?" she repeated, her voice sharper now. "Now you want to talk about the truth?"

She let out a humorless laugh, shaking her head.

"Where was the truth when I called you a hundred times? When I stood outside your house, waiting for you to come back?"

She didn't realize her hands were trembling until Adrian's gaze flickered down to them.

He stayed quiet.

That only made it worse.

"Say something," she demanded. "Tell me why you left, Adrian."

His jaw clenched.

"I—" He hesitated, running a hand through his hair.

For the first time since she walked in, he looked uncertain.

Like he wasn't sure how to tell her.

Like the words were too heavy to speak.

Evelyn narrowed her eyes.

"No more secrets," she whispered. "You owe me that much."

Adrian let out a slow, shaky breath.

Then, finally, he spoke.

"I never wanted to leave," he said. "But I didn't have a choice."

Her stomach twisted.

A choice.

"Don't lie to me," she said, her voice low.

"I'm not."

His fingers tapped against the table. A small, nervous habit she remembered from when they were kids.

Evelyn crossed her arms. "Then explain it to me."

Adrian stared at her for a long moment.

Then—

He reached into his jacket and pulled out a stack of old letters.

Tied together with a faded red ribbon.

Evelyn's breath hitched.

Her name was on every single envelope.

She looked back up at him, confusion and anger battling inside her.

"What is this?"

Adrian pushed the letters across the table toward her.

"They're yours."

Evelyn hesitated, her pulse racing.

"I never got these," she whispered.

"I know," Adrian said quietly.

"Someone made sure you wouldn't."

Her heart stopped.

Evelyn shook her head. "That's not possible—"

"It is."

Adrian leaned forward, lowering his voice.

"Someone didn't want you to know the truth, Evelyn."

He exhaled, his eyes dark and unreadable.

"And it's time we found out why."