The morning sun spilled softly through the curtains, casting a golden glow across the quiet apartment. Alina sat on the edge of her bed, unmoving, her gaze distant. Her fingers were tangled in the hem of her sweater, eyes lost in the memory of last night — the sharpness in her voice, the way Evander had gone still. The words she had spoken echoed in her mind like ghosts refusing to leave.
"You don't love me… I don't love you."
She hadn't meant it.
Not like that.
Her heart twisted painfully as the silence around her deepened. She had knocked on his door last night — once, twice, maybe three times — but there had been no answer. No footsteps. No voice. Only the soft, sad quiet of a man who had locked the world out… and changed the password.
He had truly shut her out.
The weight of her guilt was unbearable.
She dragged herself through the day like a ghost in her own skin. In the library, she sat behind the counter, pretending to read, but her eyes didn't register a single word. Her usual spark was gone — replaced with the tired shadow of someone hurting deeply.
Little footsteps came running toward her. It was Lily — the little girl who often visited the library, adored stories, and adored Evander even more. With a toothy grin and eyes full of curiosity, Lily plopped herself down on the counter.
"Did you and Mr. E have a fight?" she asked, tilting her head with innocent concern.
Alina blinked. The words, so simple, so pure — cut deeper than a knife.
Her breath hitched.
"I… it's nothing," she whispered, offering a faint smile. But her voice cracked and her eyes shimmered. Lily just looked at her for a second longer, then went back to her picture books, unaware of the storm she had stirred with her innocent question.
By evening, the pain had grown unbearable. Alina couldn't eat. Couldn't think. Couldn't breathe properly knowing she had hurt the only person who made her feel seen in a world that often ignored her.
As midnight crept silently through the streets of Paris, Alina tiptoed out of her room. The hallway was dark, lit only by a soft glow coming from under Evander's door. Her heart pounded like a drum against her ribs.
With trembling hands, she turned the knob. Unlocked.
She pushed it open gently, her breath catching.
There he was.
Asleep on the couch, his head resting against the cushions, a book resting against his chest — the very novel she had once begged him to read. The one she had said would make him understand her heart.
Tears stung her eyes.
Without a sound, she walked in and pulled the soft blanket from the nearby chair. She bent down quietly and covered him. Her gaze lingered on his face — tired, beautiful, unreadable even in sleep. She kneeled beside him, whispering so softly it was almost a prayer.
"I didn't mean to hurt you…"
Her hand lightly brushed his, then drew back. Her heart was pounding so loud she was sure it would wake him. She continued, barely able to breathe, "I said I didn't love you because I was scared. But the truth is… I do. I love you. I've loved you in silence, in glances, in the pages of books we never finished."
She sighed and turned to leave. But just as her feet rose from the floor, she heard it.
"So you do love me?"
His voice was barely a whisper. But it was enough to make her freeze.
She turned slowly, her eyes wide. Evander was sitting up now, the golden lamp behind him casting a warm halo around his tired face.
"I was awake the whole time," he said, voice low, eyes heavy. He leaned closer, so close that Alina could feel the heat of his breath against her skin. "I couldn't sleep. Not when your words were still echoing inside me."
Alina's lips parted, but no words came out. She slowly knelt again, her knees sinking into the soft carpet.
They stared at each other — wordless, wounded, raw.
Her hand brushed his again. This time, he didn't pull away.
Instead, he lifted her trembling hand and placed it over his chest, right above his heart.
"Do you feel it?" he asked softly. "I've been carrying you here… since the day you let me in."
Her eyes filled with tears. A soft sob escaped her lips as her gaze fell to where her hand rested — warm skin, steady heartbeat, fragile truth.
"Evander…" she whispered.
"Say it again," he breathed, his voice cracking. "Just like that. My name sounds softer when you say it."
He leaned forward, closer, until their foreheads touched. The world around them faded into silence — only their breathing remained, shaky and slow.
He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers trailing down her cheek with infinite tenderness.
His thumb paused at her jaw, tracing the curve slowly as if memorizing every inch of her.
Alina's hand moved to his shoulder — then higher, to cup his face.
She felt the weight he carried. The exhaustion. The love.
Their foreheads stayed pressed together, breaths mingling in the dim light.
"I don't deserve you," she whispered.
"You deserve everything," he replied. "You just don't believe it yet."
Silence fell between them again, but it wasn't empty. It was full — full of unsaid words, untold feelings, unspoken promises.
He gently leaned in, his lips grazing her temple — soft, lingering. He breathed her in like a memory he never wanted to lose.
"I want you," he whispered, his voice aching. "But only when you're ready."
Alina's eyes fluttered shut. Her hands gripped his shirt as she breathed, "I don't want to be afraid anymore."
She leaned closer.
Their lips hovered — just a breath apart. No contact, but it was electric. The space between them melted. The walls between their hearts began to crumble.
Evander didn't move — he waited.
Waited for her.
For her choice.
"I'll wait a lifetime," he said instantly, his forehead still against hers.
She smiled through her tears, brushing her thumb over his cheek.
Then — as if nothing else in the world existed — she leaned in just enough to let her lips brush his cheek. It wasn't a kiss. Not quite. But it was a promise.
A start.
Evander let out a shaky breath, his arms wrapping around her gently, as if afraid she'd disappear.
They sat there — tangled in emotion, wrapped in warmth, breathing the same air like it was the only thing they ever needed.
For the first time in days, Alina felt like she belonged somewhere.
They end up lying side by side on the couch.
Her hand rests gently over his heart — steady, alive, full of quiet thunder.
His arm wraps around her waist protectively, like she's something precious he almost lost.
No more words are spoken.
Just silence — soft, golden, sacred.
In that moment, they don't need promises.
They just need each other.
And tonight… they have that.