Chapter 2

Chapter 2 – A Bond Between Families

The Reyes and Carter families had once been inseparable.

Long before wealth and influence divided them, before secrets and tragedy stained their history, Fernando Reyes and William Carter had been the closest of friends.

Their bond had started in the simplest way—as young dreamers in a small coffee shop.

A Friendship Built on Coffee and Dreams

Years ago, Café Reyes had been nothing more than a small shop on a quiet street, struggling to compete with the larger franchises that dominated the city. Fernando Reyes had inherited it from his father, determined to keep their family business alive.

William Carter, on the other hand, was ambitious and full of ideas, a businessman with an eye for potential. He had been one of the café’s first loyal customers, spending countless afternoons there, scribbling business plans on napkins while discussing the future with Fernando.

At first, their friendship had been built on mutual respect—William admired Fernando’s dedication to tradition, while Fernando respected William’s vision for expansion. Over time, their bond deepened, and their families became intertwined.

Their wives became close friends. Their children grew up playing together.

It was a friendship that felt unbreakable.

But the passage of time had a way of changing things.

And in the end, ambition would drive a wedge between them.

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A Meeting at the Carter Estate

Evelyne had never been inside the Carter estate before, but she had heard stories from her mother.

“They used to invite us over for dinners,” Elena Reyes had said once, a nostalgic smile on her lips. “You were too young to remember, but their house was like something out of a fairy tale. Margaret always loved decorating it for every season.”

It was strange to think that their families had once been so close.

Now, everything felt distant.

The only reason Evelyne was standing in front of the grand iron gates today was because her parents had been invited to a private dinner at the Carter residence.

It had been years since they had seen William Carter in person.

“This feels… weird,” Evelyne admitted as they stepped through the towering gates.

Her father’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t say anything.

Her mother, however, smiled like nothing was wrong. “It’s just dinner, querida.”

But Evelyne could feel it—an unspoken tension in the air, something she couldn’t quite place.

As they walked up the long pathway leading to the Carter mansion, she couldn’t help but admire the estate. It was massive, elegant, and surrounded by perfectly manicured gardens. The Carters were undeniably wealthy, far beyond what the Reyes family could ever achieve.

A butler greeted them at the entrance, leading them inside. The moment Evelyne stepped in, she felt out of place.

Everything was pristine—marble floors, towering chandeliers, golden accents lining the walls. The Carter family lived like royalty, and it was clear that they had long left behind the humble beginnings that once connected them to the Reyes family.

As they entered the grand dining hall, William Carter was already seated at the head of the table, his expression unreadable.

And sitting beside him was someone Evelyne had never met before.

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Meeting Adrian Carter

Evelyne had heard his name before—Lina had gushed about him, after all—but she had never expected to meet him like this.

Adrian Carter was nothing like she had imagined.

He wasn’t dressed like a spoiled heir, nor did he carry himself with the arrogance of someone who had everything handed to him. There was something distant in his gaze, something unreadable.

And yet, when his dark eyes met hers, Evelyne felt a strange sense of familiarity.

As if… they had met before, even though she knew they hadn’t.

William Carter was the first to speak.

“Fernando,” he greeted, voice smooth but formal. “It’s been a long time.”

Fernando Reyes gave a polite nod. “It has.”

For a moment, there was silence.

An invisible wall stood between them, built by years of separation.

Finally, Margaret Carter—William’s wife—stepped forward with a warm smile, breaking the tension.

“It’s so good to see you again,” she said, embracing Elena Reyes. Unlike her husband, she seemed genuinely happy to reunite.

Evelyne remained still, unsure of how to act.

Then, Adrian finally spoke.

“You must be Evelyne.”

His voice was calm, but there was something in his tone that she couldn’t quite place.

She lifted her chin slightly. “And you must be Adrian.”

His lips twitched slightly, almost as if he had expected her to say that.

Their first meeting wasn’t warm.

But it wasn’t exactly cold, either.

It was… something else entirely.

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An Unsettling Conversation

As the dinner progressed, Evelyne observed Adrian carefully.

He was polite but distant, composed but unreadable. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone, nor did he seem particularly interested in the dinner itself.

It was clear that he wasn’t someone who enjoyed social gatherings like these.

“You just returned from studying abroad, didn’t you?” Elena Reyes asked, smiling at Adrian.

Adrian nodded. “I was in London for three years.”

“Must have been an incredible experience,” Elena continued.

Adrian gave a small shrug. “It had its moments.”

Evelyne frowned slightly. His answers were always calculated, careful.

Like he wasn’t sure how much of himself to reveal.

Then, William Carter suddenly turned his gaze to Fernando.

“I hear your café is still doing well.”

Fernando’s grip on his fork tightened. “It is.”

William took a sip of his wine. “Good. I always knew you’d keep it running.”

Something in his tone made Evelyne’s stomach twist.

She didn’t know what it was, but she could feel the tension thickening between the two men.

Her father wasn’t just uncomfortable—he was guarded.

And for the first time, Evelyne began to wonder—was there more to their history than she had been told?

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A Lingering Feeling

By the time dinner ended, the air felt heavier than before.

Margaret was the only one who seemed genuinely happy about the reunion. William Carter remained composed and unreadable, while Fernando Reyes seemed eager to leave.

As they stepped outside, Evelyne hesitated.

Something about tonight didn’t sit right with her.

Maybe it was the way William Carter had spoken to her father.

Maybe it was the unreadable expression on Adrian’s face.

Or maybe… it was the feeling that this wasn’t just a simple dinner.

This was the beginning of something bigger.

Something that would change everything.

And deep down, Evelyne knew—her life would never be the same.