The rain had softened to a gentle drizzle by the time Caleb and Evelyn sat across from each other in the quiet warmth of her penthouse. The city lights blinked through the window like distant stars, but inside, the air felt heavy-charged with the weight of words waiting to be said.
Evelyn's eyes lingered on the flicker of the candle on the table, the soft flame wavering with every breath. She wished the candle could burn away the years of silence between them, the secrets, the broken promises.
Caleb cleared his throat, breaking the stillness. "I owe you the truth," he said, voice steady but fragile. "Not just the pieces you've heard. The whole story."
Evelyn swallowed hard. She'd wanted closure, but she wasn't sure she was ready for the pain that truth might bring.
He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a small, worn envelope, handing it to her. "I found this last week, hidden away in my father's study. It's what I should have given you a long time ago."
Her fingers trembled as she unfolded the letter inside. The handwriting was unmistakable-his mother's, elegant and flowing. The words spoke of love and sacrifice, of promises made in silence to protect Evelyn from dangers she never knew existed.
Caleb watched her, his eyes filled with regret. "I never wanted to keep this from you. But the moment I read it, I understood why they wanted to keep us apart."
Evelyn's breath caught. "What dangers, Caleb?"
He hesitated, then leaned forward. "There's a lot you don't know about my family… about who I really am. And what I'm tied to."
A cold shiver ran down her spine. "What do you mean?"
Before Caleb could answer, the phone on the table rang, sharp and urgent. Evelyn glanced at the screen-an unknown number.
Caleb answered quickly. "Hello?"
His face darkened as he listened. "When? Where? I'm on my way."
He hung up and turned to Evelyn, eyes burning with urgency. "We don't have much time. You're in danger—more than I feared."
Evelyn's heart raced. The past was catching up with them, and the fragile hope she'd felt was slipping away.