Chapter 25: The Past Returns
POV: Evelyn Harper
It was a quiet morning in Chapters & Brews. The hum of the espresso machine blended with the soft clink of mugs on tables, a comforting symphony I’d grown fond of. I sat in my usual spot by the window, my laptop open as I finished typing the last of my reports from the library’s event.
Despite its success, a sense of unease lingered. James’s words about the library’s future replayed in my mind like a song stuck on repeat. It wasn’t just what he’d said—it was how he’d said it, with that unshakable certainty that his plans were inevitable.
Across the café, Theo leaned against the counter, his grey eyes focused on the customer in front of him. To anyone else, he looked relaxed, but I could see the tension in the way he carried himself. He’d been quieter since our conversation the other night, and though he hadn’t said much, I knew his brother’s reappearance was weighing on him.
The door opened with a soft chime, pulling my attention.
A man stepped inside, his presence commanding in a way that made me sit up straighter. He had the same dark hair as Theo, though his was neatly styled, and his confident stride felt familiar but distinct.
I didn’t need an introduction to know who he was.
“Alex,” Theo said, his voice flat.
Alex offered a faint smile, though it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Hey, little brother.”
Little brother. The words hung in the air like a weight, the kind that made my stomach twist.
Theo stepped out from behind the counter, his movements measured and deliberate. “What are you doing here?”
Alex shrugged, his hands stuffed into the pockets of his jacket. “I wanted to see you.”
His eyes shifted to me, and his smile warmed slightly. “And to meet your librarian friend.”
My pulse quickened as both brothers turned to look at me. I forced myself to stand, plastering on a polite smile.
“Hi,” I said, extending a hand. “I’m Evelyn Harper.”
“Alex Sinclair,” he said, his handshake firm. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Finally? The word sent a ripple of unease through me, but I kept my expression neutral.
“Don’t,” Theo said sharply, his voice slicing through the moment. “What do you want, Alex?”
“I just wanted to talk,” Alex said, holding up his hands in a gesture of surrender. “To see how you’re doing. And maybe to explain a few things.”
“I think you’ve explained enough,” Theo said, his tone icy.
The tension between them was palpable, a wall built from years of pain and betrayal. I hesitated, unsure if I should excuse myself or stay.
“Maybe I should go,” I said softly.
“No,” Theo said quickly, his gaze snapping to mine. “Stay.”
Alex raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment.
The three of us sat at a table near the back of the café, the atmosphere thick with unspoken words. Alex began to speak, but Theo cut him off almost immediately.
“This isn’t the time or place for this,” Theo said, his voice low and taut. “And I’m not in the mood to relive the past.”
“Fair enough,” Alex said, his tone surprisingly gentle. “But I’m not here to fight, Theo. I’m here because I care about you. Whether you believe that or not.”
Theo’s jaw tightened, and I could see the battle waging inside him.
“Caring about someone doesn’t mean you get to destroy their life,” Theo said, his voice trembling slightly.
Alex looked down at the table, his shoulders sagging. “I know. And I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.”
The raw emotion in his voice made my heart ache. I didn’t know the full story, but it was clear how much this was hurting both of them.
After Alex left, Theo stayed seated, staring at the door as if he expected it to open again.
“You okay?” I asked gently, sitting across from him.
He let out a hollow laugh, shaking his head. “Not really.”
“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “That couldn’t have been easy.”
“It wasn’t,” he admitted, his voice rough.
I hesitated, then said, “I know it’s not my place, but… family is complicated. And I think you should hear him out.”
Theo frowned, his gaze sharp. “You think I should forgive him?”
“No,” I said quickly. “Forgiveness isn’t something anyone can ask of you. But I know what it’s like to have no family. If there’s even a chance to rebuild something… maybe it’s worth considering.”
His eyes softened, the anger draining slightly from his expression. “I didn’t think about it like that.”
“Just don’t let the past take away what’s left,” I said, my voice quiet.
Later that evening, I drove to Claire’s house, where she greeted me with takeout and a bottle of wine.
“You look like you’ve been through the wringer,” she said, handing me a glass as I kicked off my shoes.
“It’s been a day,” I said, sinking into the couch.
“Let me guess,” Claire said, her eyes narrowing. “It involves tall, dark, and brooding?”
I sighed, swirling the wine in my glass. “His brother showed up today.”
Claire’s expression shifted, her usual teasing replaced by concern. “The one who… you know?”
“Yep,” I said, taking a sip.
“And?”
“And it was tense,” I said. “I don’t think they’ve spoken since everything happened. It’s… complicated.”
Claire studied me for a moment before leaning forward. “And how are you feeling about Theo these days?”
I blinked, caught off guard by the question. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” Claire said, smirking, “you’ve been spending a lot of time with him. And don’t think I haven’t noticed the way you look at each other.”
“It’s not like that,” I said quickly, though my cheeks burned.
“Sure,” Claire said, rolling her eyes. “But maybe it should be.”