Chapter 9 – The Man Behind the Mask
Evelyn sat in the passenger seat of Adrian's car, her mind racing.
The night air was cold, but she barely felt it. Her fingers curled around the letter in her hands, the words burned into her memory.
"Someone close to you is the reason we were separated."
"Someone you trust."
Her mother had admitted to keeping the letters from her. But Evelyn couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story.
And she was right.
Because just an hour ago, Detective Carter had told them something that changed everything.
Michael had been involved.
The man she was supposed to marry.
The man she had trusted.
The man who had been lying to her for years.
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Michael's Secret
Adrian's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly as they drove toward Michael's apartment.
"You don't have to do this," Adrian said, his voice calm but tense.
Evelyn shook her head. "Yes, I do."
She needed to hear it from Michael himself.
Adrian's jaw clenched. He hated this. Hated that Evelyn was about to come face-to-face with the man who had betrayed her.
But he also knew her too well. She wouldn't let this go until she had answers.
Fifteen minutes later, they pulled up in front of Michael's building.
Evelyn stepped out of the car, her heart hammering against her chest.
Adrian followed, his presence steady behind her. A silent promise that she wasn't alone.
She raised her hand and knocked.
For a moment, there was silence.
Then—the door opened.
Michael stood there, wearing a simple black shirt, his hair slightly messy like he had just woken up.
But his eyes.
His eyes weren't surprised.
He was expecting her.
Evelyn's stomach twisted.
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The Confrontation
Michael leaned against the doorway, crossing his arms. "I figured you'd come."
Evelyn took a slow breath, trying to keep her voice steady.
"I know what you did."
Michael's expression didn't change.
"I don't know what you're talking about," he said smoothly.
But Evelyn saw it—the slight flicker in his gaze.
Adrian took a step forward, his presence suddenly overwhelming. "Cut the act, Michael." His voice was cold, controlled. Lethal.
Michael's jaw tightened, but he didn't look away.
Evelyn swallowed. "You knew."
Michael sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Knew what?"
Evelyn's fingers curled into fists. "That Adrian didn't leave by choice."
Michael didn't move.
Evelyn's voice shook. "That someone took him. That someone kept us apart."
She stepped forward, her chest rising and falling too fast.
"You knew, Michael. And you let me believe he abandoned me."
Michael exhaled, shaking his head. "It wasn't that simple, Evelyn."
She laughed bitterly. "Then explain it to me."
Michael finally met her gaze.
And for the first time in seven years, Evelyn saw the truth.
He wasn't shocked. He wasn't confused.
He was guilty.
---
Michael Tells the Truth
"I did what I had to do," Michael said, his voice quieter now.
Evelyn's hands trembled. "What does that mean?"
Michael rubbed his temples, exhaling sharply. "You don't get it, Ev. If Adrian had stayed in your life, you would've been dragged into something dangerous."
Adrian tensed beside her. "So you thought keeping us apart was the solution?"
Michael's gaze flickered toward him, cold and sharp.
"You don't understand, Hale," Michael muttered. "I was trying to protect her."
Evelyn let out a shaky breath.
"You don't get to decide that," she whispered.
Michael looked away.
Evelyn took a step closer, her voice cracking. "Tell me everything."
Michael was silent for a long moment.
Then—he finally spoke.
---
Why Michael Betrayed Her
"I got a call," Michael said. "A few nights before Adrian disappeared."
Adrian's body went still.
Michael continued. "They told me that Adrian was involved in something dangerous. That if I wanted to protect you, I needed to keep you away from him."
Evelyn's heart pounded.
Michael's gaze flickered toward her. "I didn't believe them at first. But then… Adrian vanished. Just like that."
He exhaled.
"I didn't know what happened to him. I didn't know if he was dead or alive. But I knew one thing—whoever took him didn't want him anywhere near you."
Michael ran a hand over his face. "A week later, I got another call. They told me to make sure you moved on."
Evelyn felt sick.
Her voice shook. "So you let them win."
Michael stared at her. "I kept you safe."
Evelyn's vision blurred.
Michael wasn't just some innocent bystander.
He had known.
For seven years, he had known.
And he had let her believe a lie.
---
The Breaking Point
Evelyn's hands shook as she stepped back.
"I loved you," Michael said, his voice low. "I still do."
Evelyn's heart twisted.
"I gave you a future, Ev," he whispered. "One without fear. Without the danger Adrian would have brought into your life."
Evelyn's breath hitched.
But before she could speak—
Adrian did.
"You're a coward," Adrian said, his voice like ice.
Michael's eyes darkened. "Excuse me?"
Adrian took a slow step forward, his expression unreadable.
"You didn't keep her safe," he said quietly. "You just made sure she was yours."
Michael stiffened. "That's not—"
Adrian tilted his head. "If you really believed you were doing the right thing, you would've told her the truth."
Michael's jaw clenched.
Adrian's voice was soft but sharp enough to cut.
"You were never protecting her."
His storm-gray eyes burned.
"You were just afraid that if she knew the truth… she'd come back to me."
Silence.
Michael didn't say a word.
Because deep down—he knew Adrian was right.
---
The Final Choice
Evelyn felt like she was drowning.
She had trusted Michael.
She had planned to spend the rest of her life with him.
But now, she realized—she never really knew him at all.
Evelyn took a shaky breath.
And then, she made her choice.
She looked at Michael one last time.
"This is over," she whispered.
Michael's face hardened, but he didn't argue.
Because there was nothing left to say.
Evelyn turned around.
She didn't look back.
And when she stepped outside into the cold night air—
Adrian was waiting.
He didn't say anything.
He just reached out.
And Evelyn—without hesitation—took his hand.
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