Chapter Three: The Return
825 Words
The journal stayed on Elle's desk for three days.
She never opened it again.
Every time she looked at its worn leather cover, her chest tightened. It wasn't just a notebook—it was a reminder of the girl she used to be. The girl who believed love could survive anything.
That girl was gone.
Or at least, that's what Elle kept telling herself.
---
Monday morning arrived with bright sunshine, a rare gift after days of endless rain.
Westbridge University was alive with excitement as students prepared for the upcoming National Architecture Summit. Posters lined the hallways, and faculty members hurried between classrooms carrying stacks of project folders.
Elle hoped the new week would help her forget everything.
Especially Asher.
As she entered the Architecture Studio, she immediately sensed something was wrong.
Everyone was staring.
Some whispered behind their hands.
Others glanced at her with sympathy.
"What now?" she muttered.
Mira rushed toward her, looking unusually nervous.
"Elle..."
"What happened?"
Before Mira could answer, Professor Mendoza entered the room carrying a folder.
"Good morning, everyone."
The chatter instantly died.
"As many of you already know, this year's National Architecture Summit includes a team project instead of an individual competition."
Elle frowned.
"I have already selected your representatives."
Her stomach dropped.
Professor Mendoza looked directly at her.
"Eliana Reyes."
Then...
"Asher Valencia."
The room erupted into murmurs.
Elle slowly stood.
"Professor... there has to be another option."
"I'm afraid there isn't."
"I can work alone."
"The competition rules require two representatives."
"I'll withdraw."
The professor sighed.
"I expected you might say that."
He handed her a thick project folder.
"Read the first page."
Reluctantly, Elle opened it.
**Winning Team Prize**
* International Internship in Italy
* Full Scholarship for Graduate Studies
* Opportunity to design a public community project
Her heart skipped.
Italy.
It had always been her dream.
Years ago...
She and Asher had spent countless evenings looking at pictures of Florence and Venice, promising each other that one day they'd design buildings there together.
She quickly pushed the memory away.
"I still can't."
Professor Mendoza's expression softened.
"Miss Reyes... don't let your past become the reason you abandon your future."
His words lingered in the room.
Elle quietly closed the folder.
---
Classes ended later that afternoon.
Students filled the campus café, celebrating upcoming graduation.
Elle chose a quiet corner by the window, hoping to finish sketching ideas for the competition.
She had barely drawn a single line when someone gently placed another cup of coffee beside hers.
"You still order vanilla lattes."
Her hand froze.
She didn't have to look up.
"I didn't ask for company."
Asher sat across from her anyway.
"I know."
Silence settled between them.
Finally, Elle slid the untouched coffee back toward him.
"You shouldn't remember things like that."
"I remember everything."
She laughed bitterly.
"Funny."
"What is?"
"You remember my coffee."
Her eyes met his.
"But somehow you forgot the promise you made."
Asher looked down.
"I never forgot."
"You said we'd face everything together."
"I know."
"You promised you'd never leave."
"I know."
"You disappeared without even saying goodbye."
Each sentence struck him harder than the last.
Yet he never defended himself.
He simply accepted every accusation.
After several long moments, he quietly reached into his bag.
"I think it's time you saw this."
He placed a small white envelope on the table.
It was old.
The edges were worn.
Across the front, written in familiar handwriting, were two simple words.
**For Elle**
She frowned.
"What is this?"
"A letter."
"From who?"
"You'll know when you read it."
She stared at him.
"Why didn't you give it to me before?"
"I couldn't."
"What stopped you?"
Asher hesitated.
Then answered softly.
"Someone made sure you never received it."
Elle's heartbeat quickened.
"What are you talking about?"
Before he could answer, a loud voice echoed across the café.
"There you are!"
Noah.
Elle's older brother stormed toward their table, his face burning with anger.
The moment he saw Asher, his fists clenched.
"I told you to stay away from my sister."
Asher slowly stood.
"I'm leaving."
"No."
Noah grabbed the front of Asher's jacket.
"You don't get to walk away this time."
Students throughout the café stopped talking.
Everyone watched.
Elle immediately stepped between them.
"Noah, stop!"
"He doesn't deserve your protection!"
Asher gently removed Noah's hand from his jacket.
"I understand why you hate me."
"Hate you?" Noah's voice shook. "You destroyed our family!"
The café fell completely silent.
Elle stared at her brother.
"Our family?"
Noah realized what he'd said.
His expression changed instantly.
He looked at Elle with panic.
"I..."
She took one slow step backward.
"Noah..."
Her voice trembled.
"What do you mean?"
No one spoke.
The silence was louder than any answer.
Then Noah whispered the words that changed everything.
"There's something about that night..."
He looked from Elle to Asher.
"...that you were never told."
**End of Chapter Three**
**To be continued...**
- Writer
