Zyroth

They were childhood best friends who became each other’s first love.

But one night, Adrian disappeared—without a word, without an explanation.

All he left behind was a box of letters that Evelyn never received.

Seven years later, she is engaged to another man, ready to start a new life.

Until Adrian returns.

Holding the letters.

And with them, the truth she was never meant to know.

Evelyn thought she had moved on. She thought she had healed. But when she finally reads the letters, she realizes—his disappearance was never a choice.

Someone had kept them apart.

Someone had hidden the truth.

And now, the past is unraveling, piece by piece.

But the closer she gets to the truth, the more she begins to wonder…

Some secrets were meant to stay buried.

And maybe, just maybe—loving him again will cost her everything.

A Thousand Letters Unsent

Chapter 5 – The Letter That Changed Everything

Evelyn sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the box of letters.

She had spent seven years believing Adrian had abandoned her. Seven years convincing herself he never loved her enough to stay.

Now, those seven years felt like a lie.

Adrian had written to her. He had never stopped thinking about her. Someone had made sure she never knew.

Her hands shook as she reached for another letter.

She untied the faded red ribbon and pulled out the next envelope.

It was dated two years after he disappeared.

Her fingers tightened around the paper.

Adrian had been alive. Thinking about her. Writing to her.

All while she had been trying to forget him.

She unfolded the letter, took a deep breath, and began to read.

"It's been two years since I last saw you. Since I last heard your voice."

"I don't even know if you'll ever read this. But I need to write it anyway."

"I've tried to leave this place so many times. Every time I get close, something pulls me back. They're always watching. Always listening."

"I found something. A name. A clue. And if I'm right… someone close to you is the reason we were separated."

"I don't know who yet. But I swear, Evelyn—I'll find out."

"And when I do, I'm coming back to you."

Her hands tightened around the letter.

"Someone close to you is the reason we were separated."

She shook her head. No. That wasn't possible.

Who would have done something like this?

Who would have wanted to keep Adrian away from her?

A sinking feeling settled in her stomach.

Someone she trusted had been lying to her all these years.

And she knew exactly where to start.

The next morning, Evelyn found herself standing in front of the person she once trusted most.

Her hands curled into fists at her sides.

Her mother looked up from her cup of tea, raising an eyebrow. "You're up early."

Evelyn didn't bother with small talk. She pulled the letter from her bag and placed it on the table.

Her mother's expression didn't change.

Evelyn's heart pounded. "Did you know?"

Her mother didn't react. "Know what?"

Evelyn swallowed the anger building in her throat. "That Adrian wrote to me."

"Evelyn," she said softly, "it's been seven years."

"That's not an answer." Evelyn's voice was sharp. "Did you know about these letters?"

Her mother looked down at the paper.

And then—for the first time—she hesitated.

Her mother closed her eyes. "It was for your own good."

Evelyn took a shaky step back. "You… you kept them from me?"

Her mother sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I was trying to protect you."

Her mother's gaze finally met hers. And for the first time, Evelyn saw guilt.

"You don't understand, Evelyn," she said quietly. "There are things you don't know."

Evelyn's heart pounded in her ears.

"No," she said, voice breaking. "The only thing I don't know is why my own mother kept me from the person I loved."

Her mother's lips pressed into a thin line. "Because loving him would have gotten you killed."

The words hit like a punch to the stomach.

Her mother's expression didn't waver. "It wasn't just about keeping you apart."