Anthony barely slept that night.

‎The message kept replaying in his mind.

‎

‎“Ask her what happened seven years ago.”

‎

‎He had no idea what it meant.

‎

‎But whoever sent it clearly knew Sofia.

‎

‎By morning, Anthony had made up his mind.

‎

‎He would ask her.

‎

‎Not through a message.

‎

‎Not over the phone.

‎

‎He wanted to see her face when he did.

‎

‎That afternoon, Sofia met him at their usual café.

‎

‎She smiled when she saw him, but Anthony noticed that her smile didn't reach her eyes.

‎

‎They sat together, and for a while, neither mentioned anything unusual.

‎

‎Anthony reached across the table and held her hand.

‎

‎Sofia looked down at their hands and smiled.

‎

‎For a moment, the message disappeared from his mind.

‎

‎This was the woman he was falling for.

‎

‎The woman who made ordinary days feel different.

‎

‎The woman whose messages had become the first thing he looked forward to every morning.

‎

‎He didn't want a secret to come between them.

‎

‎“Sofia.”

‎

‎She looked up.

‎

‎“Hmm?”

‎

‎“There is something I want to ask you.”

‎

‎Her expression changed slightly.

‎

‎Anthony noticed.

‎

‎“Seven years ago... what happened?”

‎

‎Sofia went completely still.

‎

‎The color slowly disappeared from her face.

‎

‎Anthony didn't say another word.

‎

‎He simply waited.

‎

‎For several seconds, she stared at him.

‎

‎Then she looked away.

‎

‎“Why are you asking me that?”

‎

‎Anthony felt his heart sink.

‎

‎“Because I need to know.”

‎

‎Sofia swallowed hard.

‎

‎“Who told you?”

‎

‎Anthony froze.

‎

‎That wasn't the answer he expected.

‎

‎He leaned closer.

‎

‎“Why does it matter who told me?”

‎

‎Sofia's eyes filled with tears.

‎

‎“Because I was hoping you'd never have to know.”

‎

‎Anthony's chest tightened.

‎

‎“Know what?”

‎

‎She looked at him.

‎

‎There was fear in her eyes.

‎

‎And something else.

‎

‎Guilt.

‎

‎Before she could answer, her phone rang.

‎

‎She glanced at the screen.

‎

‎This time, Anthony saw the name.

‎

‎Dad.

‎

‎Sofia stood up immediately.

‎

‎“I have to take this.”

‎

‎She walked outside.

‎

‎Anthony watched through the window.

‎

‎He couldn't hear the conversation, but he could see the fear returning to her face.

‎

‎A few minutes later, Sofia came back.

‎

‎She sat down quietly.

‎

‎Anthony reached for her hand again.

‎

‎“You don't have to tell me everything today.”

‎

‎She looked at him.

‎

‎“Why are you being so kind to me?”

‎

‎Anthony smiled sadly.

‎

‎“Because I love the person I know.”

‎

‎Sofia's eyes filled with tears.

‎

‎“And what if you don't love the person you don't know?”

‎

‎Anthony didn't answer.

‎

‎Sofia lowered her eyes.

‎

‎Then, very quietly, she said,

‎

‎“Anthony... before I met you, my family made a promise.”

‎

‎He waited.

‎

‎“What promise?”

‎

‎She looked directly into his eyes.

‎

‎“A promise that was supposed to keep us apart.”

‎

‎Anthony's heart sank.

‎

‎“Why?”

‎

‎Sofia opened her mouth.

‎

‎But before she could say another word, her phone vibrated.

‎

‎A new message.

‎

‎She looked at it.

‎

‎Then immediately stood up.

‎

‎Anthony watched her face change.

‎

‎“What happened?”

‎

‎Sofia looked at him.

‎

‎This time, there were tears running down her cheeks.

‎

‎She whispered:

‎

‎“They know about us.”

‎

‎Then she walked away.

‎

‎Anthony remained seated, staring after her.

‎

‎For the first time, he realized that whatever stood between him and Sofia...

‎

‎wasn't just a secret.

‎

‎It was something their families had been trying to prevent for years.

‎

‎And now that they were falling in love...

‎

‎someone was finally ready to stop them.

‎

‎TO BE CONTINUED...

‎