“Do you have time tonight?”

Theo’s message appeared on Evelyn’s phone screen just as she was sorting documents for her next exhibition. She stared at the message for a moment without expression, then placed the phone beside an unfinished sketch.

She knew this day would come.

---

The small café tucked in a corner of the 7th arrondissement felt unusually quiet. The scent of coffee and sweet pastries lingered just the same, but there was no light laughter between the two people now sitting across from each other—Evelyn and Theo.

“I’m glad you agreed to meet,” Theo began. His voice was calm, as always. But there was unease behind his...