Finding light in the darkest places—through love-Chapter 60 – Unspoken Words

Evelyn sat at the small café table, her fingers wrapped around the warmth of her coffee cup. The gentle hum of the city filtered through the open window, mixing with the low chatter of patrons. It was a quiet moment, yet her mind was anything but.

The source of this c𝓸ntent is frёeweɓηovel.coɱ.

Adrian sat across from her, stirring his drink absentmindedly. The easy banter they usually shared had been replaced with a comfortable silence. But beneath it, something lingered—something unspoken.

After everything with her mother's call, the upcoming gallery deadline, and the whirlwind of emotions she had been navigating, Evelyn found herself drawn to moments like these. Moments where Adrian's presence grounded her without words.

"You're staring,"

Adrian pointed out, smirking as he leaned back in his chair.

Evelyn blinked, heat rising to her cheeks.

"I was not."

He arched his brow.

"Oh? Then what exactly were you doing?"

She cleared her throat, shifting in her seat.

"Thinking."

"About?"

She hesitated.

"Everything, I guess. The gallery. My mom. The fact that I've been painting more than sleeping."

Adrian studied her for a moment before reaching across the table. His fingers brushed against hers as he toyed with the rim of her cup.

"You need to take care of yourself too, you know."

The touch was fleeting, casual, yet it sent warmth curling through her chest. She forced herself to focus on his words rather than the way her skin tingled where he had touched her.

"I know," she admitted.

"It's just... a lot."

Adrian nodded, as if understanding more than she was saying.

"Well, that's why I'm here. To make sure you don't completely lose your mind."

Evelyn let out a small laugh.

"Is that your official role now? Keeper of my sanity?"

He smirked.

"Among other things."

Before she could ask what he meant by that, her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen and saw her mother's name. Her stomach twisted. She had avoided calling back, unsure if she was ready to face whatever conversation awaited her.

Adrian noticed her hesitation.

"You don't have to answer."

Evelyn exhaled, pressing her fingers to her temple.

"I know. But I probably should."

He watched her carefully before nodding.

"Do you want me to stay?"

She hesitated, then nodded.

"Yeah. If you don't mind."

His expression softened.

"I'm not going anywhere."

Taking a steadying breath, Evelyn swiped her phone off the table and stood. "I'll be right back."

Adrian gave her a reassuring look as she walked toward the café's quieter corner. She hesitated for only a moment before pressing the call button.

"Evelyn?"

Her mother's voice was immediate, laced with something unreadable.

"Hey, Mom."

"I was starting to think you were avoiding me."

Evelyn let out a dry laugh.

"Not avoiding. Just... busy."

A pause.

"Are you okay?"

Evelyn closed her eyes briefly.

"I don't know."

Another pause. Then, softer,

"I saw the gallery announcement. Your work is beautiful, Evie."

Her breath hitched.

"You saw it?"

"Of course, I did. I've always followed your work, even if I didn't always say it."

A lump formed in Evelyn's throat. She wasn't sure how to respond to that. So many things had been left unsaid between them for so long.

"I'm proud of you,"

her mother continued.

"I just... I wish things had been different."

Evelyn swallowed hard.

"Me too."

Silence stretched between them, fragile yet strangely comforting. For the first time in years, it felt like they were speaking without walls between them.

"I won't push you,"

her mother finally said.

"But I want to fix things, if you'll let me."

Evelyn exhaled slowly.

"I don't know how to fix things."

"Maybe we don't have to figure it all out at once," her mother said softly.

"Maybe we just take it one conversation at a time."

Evelyn blinked against the sting in her eyes.

"Yeah. Maybe."

They talked a little longer, the conversation lighter but still tentative. When Evelyn finally ended the call and turned back, she found Adrian watching her, his expression unreadable.

She walked back to the table and sank into her chair. Adrian didn't ask what was said. Instead, he reached out, his fingers brushing against hers again. This time, he let them linger.

"Better?"

he asked quietly.

She nodded, gripping his hand lightly in return.

"Yeah."

For the first time in a long while, she believed it.