NOVEL: From Bully to Begging

💌 What happens when a mysterious stranger starts sending heartfelt letters to a woman with a painful past?💔 But as secrets unravel, will she find healing… or heartbreak?

CHAPTER 02

The days grew colder as autumn settled over the town. Leaves turned fiery shades of orange and red, swirling in the wind before settling on the sidewalks outside Harper’s Book Nook . Evelyn wrapped herself in a thick sweater, sipping tea to ward off the chill that seemed to seep through the cracks of her old bookstore. But no matter how cold it got outside, inside, her heart felt warmer than ever thanks to the letters.Every morning, she woke up excited, wondering if there would be a new one waiting for her. And every time she found one, it was like opening a gift she hadn’t expected but desperately needed. “A Reader” had become more than just a mysterious pen pal; they were someone who understood her in ways no one else ever had. Their words reached into parts of her soul she thought were long forgotten or maybe never discovered at all.

Today’s letter arrived tucked inside an old copy of Wuthering Heights , one of her favorite novels. She smiled faintly when she saw it a sign that “A Reader” knew her well enough to choose books close to her heart. Carefully, she opened the envelope and unfolded the crisp sheet of paper within.

Dear Evelyn,

Your last reply left me thinking about forgiveness and pain. I admire your honesty. Not everyone can admit when something hurts them so deeply. But let me ask you this: do you think holding onto anger keeps us safe? Or does it keep us trapped?I’ve made mistakes in my life big ones. Mistakes I’ll regret forever. Sometimes, I wonder if I’ll ever deserve forgiveness for them. Do you believe people can truly make amends for the harm they cause? Or are some wounds too deep to heal?You inspire me to hope, Evelyn. To believe that maybe, just maybe, redemption is possible.

Yours always,

A Reader

Evelyn read the letter three times, her chest tightening with each word. There was raw emotion here pain, guilt, longing. Whoever “A Reader” was, they weren’t just curious about her thoughts; they were sharing pieces of themselves too. Fragile, broken pieces.For the first time, she wondered what kind of person could write such heartfelt words. Were they older? Younger? Had they suffered as much as she had?

That evening, after closing the shop, Evelyn sat at her kitchen table with a cup of chamomile tea. The rain tapped softly against the window, filling the room with a soothing rhythm. She stared at the blank sheet of paper in front of her, unsure how to respond.How could she answer questions she didn’t even have answers to herself?She picked up her pen and began writing slowly, letting her thoughts flow without overthinking them.

Dear A Reader,

Your words today touched me deeply. It’s strange we’ve never met, yet somehow, you seem to understand things about me that I haven’t told anyone. Maybe that’s why I feel safe sharing my thoughts with you.To answer your question… I don’t know if holding onto anger keeps us safe or traps us. All I know is that it’s hard to let go. When someone hurts you badly enough, it changes you. You start building walls not just to protect yourself from them, but from everyone. Even the good people.As for forgiveness… I think it depends on the person. Some people might deserve a second chance. Others… not so much. But how do we decide which is which? How do we know if someone has really changed?I’m still trying to figure that out.Thank you for being honest with me. Your letters remind me that I’m not alone in feeling lost sometimes.

Yours truly,

Evelyn

When she finished, she folded the letter carefully and placed it in an envelope. Tomorrow, she’d leave it on the counter for “A Reader” to find.

The next day brought another surprise. Instead of finding a letter, Evelyn discovered a small package wrapped in brown paper sitting on the counter. Her pulse quickened as she unwrapped it, revealing a book she’d never seen before: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society . Tucked inside was a note.

Dear Evelyn,

This book reminded me of you. It’s about resilience, connection, and finding light in dark times. I hope you enjoy it.P.S. Thank you for trusting me with your thoughts. You’re braver than you realize.

Yours always,

A Reader

Tears welled in Evelyn’s eyes as she held the book. No one had ever given her a gift like this before. It wasn’t just the book itself it was the thought behind it. The care.For a moment, she forgot about the shadows lurking in her past. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it might be like to meet “A Reader” face-to-face. Would they be kind? Funny? Would their voice match the warmth of their words?But then reality crept back in. Who was this person, really? Why did they know so much about her? And why did they seem to carry so much guilt?

That night, Evelyn couldn’t sleep. She kept replaying the events of the day the book, the note, the way her heart raced whenever she thought about “A Reader.” Something about this whole situation felt… familiar. Like déjà vu.And then it hit her.It wasn’t just the letters. It was the way “A Reader” wrote about pain and regret. About making mistakes and wanting forgiveness. Those weren’t just random musings they were personal. Deeply personal.Could it be possible? Could “A Reader” be someone from her past? Someone who had wronged her and now wanted to apologize without showing their face?Her mind immediately jumped to Liam Carter.

No. She shook her head firmly. That was ridiculous. Liam wouldn’t dare reach out to her after everything he’d done. He wouldn’t have the guts. Besides, “A Reader” was thoughtful and poetic nothing like the cruel boy she remembered.Still, doubt lingered.

Over the next few days, Evelyn became more cautious. She started noticing little things she hadn’t paid attention to before the sound of footsteps outside the shop late at night, the faint shadow of someone lingering near the window, the occasional glance from strangers passing by. Paranoia crept in, whispering that maybe “A Reader” wasn’t as harmless as they seemed.One afternoon, while arranging books on a high shelf, she spotted a man standing across the street. He wore a hoodie pulled low over his face, hiding his features, but there was something about the way he stood that sent chills down her spine.Was he watching her?

Was he watching her?Evelyn stepped back, her hands trembling. She grabbed her phone, ready to call the police, but when she looked again, the man was gone.Had she imagined him?

Despite her growing unease, the letters continued to arrive. Each one brought comfort and confusion in equal measure.

Dear Evelyn,

I sense you’re hesitating. Are you afraid of me? Please don’t be. My only wish is to bring light into your life, not darkness. If I’ve done anything to scare you, I’m sorry. That was never my intention.Tell me are you still willing to keep writing to me? Or should I stop?

Yours always,

A Reader

Evelyn stared at the page, her emotions swirling. Part of her wanted to stop to protect herself from whoever this person was. But another part, the deeper part, craved the connection they shared.In the end, she chose to reply.

Dear A Reader,

I admit, I’ve been feeling uneasy lately. But I also can’t deny how much your letters mean to me. They’ve brought something into my life that I didn’t know I was missing: understanding. So yes, I want to keep writing to you. Just… please don’t disappear.

Yours truly,

Evelyn

Later that week, as Evelyn locked up the shop, she noticed something odd. A folded piece of paper lay on the ground near the door. She bent down to pick it up, her breath catching as she recognized the handwriting.

Evelyn,If you ever want to meet, look for me at the park bench near the fountain tomorrow evening. I’ll wait for you but only if you’re ready.-

A Reader

Her hands trembled as she clutched the note. Meet him? Face-to-face?Fear and curiosity battled inside her. What if it was a trap? What if it was someone dangerous?But what if it wasn’t?

Evelyn stared at the note in her hand, her mind racing. The words were simple, yet they carried a weight that made her heart pound. Meet him? At the park bench near the fountain?She glanced around the empty street, half-expecting to see someone watching her. But there was no one just the dim glow of streetlights and the faint rustle of leaves in the wind. Still, she couldn’t shake the feeling that eyes were on her, hidden somewhere in the shadows.The idea of meeting “A Reader” terrified her. What if it was a trick? What if this person wasn’t who they claimed to be? Yet, despite her fear, curiosity tugged at her relentlessly. Who was this person who had shared so much of themselves through letters? Someone who seemed to know her so well, yet remained invisible.

That night, Evelyn lay awake, staring at the ceiling. Her thoughts swirled like storm clouds, refusing to settle. She replayed every letter, every word, searching for clues she might have missed.And then it struck her.There were clues.“A Reader” often mentioned things that felt eerily familiar. Little details about her life the way she arranged books, the novels she loved, even the quiet moments when she thought no one was looking. How did they know these things?Her mind drifted back to Liam Carter.

No. She shook her head firmly. It couldn’t be him. Liam wouldn’t dare reach out to her after everything he’d done. He wouldn’t have the courage or the decency to apologize. And besides, his cruelty during high school was unforgettable. The teasing, the bullying, the way he destroyed her confidence… Those memories still haunted her.But what if it was him?What if all these letters were his way of saying sorry without showing his face?The thought sent chills down her spine. If it was Liam, she didn’t know whether to feel angry or intrigued. Could someone like him really change? Or was this just another game, another cruel joke at her expense?

The next day passed in a blur. Evelyn tried to focus on her work at the bookstore, but her mind kept drifting to the note. Should she go to the park? Should she ignore it and pretend she never saw it?By evening, she still hadn’t decided.As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink, Evelyn found herself standing outside her apartment, clutching the note tightly in her hand. Her feet seemed to move on their own, carrying her toward the park.When she arrived, the fountain sparkled under the soft glow of lampposts. Water danced in gentle arcs, catching the light like shards of glass. A few people strolled along the paths, but the bench near the fountain was empty.Relief washed over her. Maybe “A Reader” had changed their mind. Or maybe they weren’t coming at all.

She turned to leave but then she heard footsteps behind her.Her breath caught as she spun around, her heart hammering in her chest.A man stood a few feet away, his face partially hidden by the hood of his jacket. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, and he hesitated, as if unsure whether to approach her.“Evelyn?” he asked softly, his voice trembling.She froze, unable to speak. Something about his voice sounded familiar, though she couldn’t place it.“I’m sorry,” he said quickly, taking a step back. “I shouldn’t have asked you to come here. I just… I wanted to see you.”“Who are you?” Evelyn demanded, her voice shaking.

He lowered his hood, revealing his face and her blood ran cold.It was Liam Carter.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Evelyn’s mind reeled, trying to process what she was seeing. Liam looked different than she remembered. His once-boyish features were sharper now, his jawline more defined. There were lines around his eyes, as if life had worn him down. But it was unmistakably him.“You,” she whispered, her voice laced with venom. “You’re ‘A Reader’?”Liam nodded slowly, his expression filled with guilt and regret. “Yes,” he admitted. “It’s me.”Anger surged through Evelyn, hot and fierce. She took a step back, her hands balling into fists. “How dare you,” she spat. “How dare you write to me, pretend to care, after everything you did to me!”

“I know,” Liam said, his voice breaking. “I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I never will. But I needed you to know how sorry I am. I’ve spent years regretting what I did to you, Evelyn. Every single day.”“Sorry?” she snapped, tears welling in her eyes. “Do you think a few letters can make up for what you put me through? Do you think words can erase the pain you caused?”“No,” Liam replied, shaking his head. “Nothing can erase that. I just… I wanted you to know that I’ve changed. That I’m not the same person I was back then.”Evelyn laughed bitterly. “Changed? People don’t change, Liam. Not really. You bullied me, humiliated me, made my life hell. Do you even remember what you did to me?”

Liam flinched, his shoulders slumping. “I remember everything,” he said quietly. “Every cruel word, every laugh, every time I hurt you. I live with it every day. It’s why I started writing to you. I wanted to show you that I’m not that person anymore. That I want to be better.”“But why me?” Evelyn demanded. “Why now? After all these years?”“Because I saw you,” Liam said, his voice thick with emotion. “I saw how strong you’ve become, how beautiful your life is now. And I realized how much I ruined. I ruined your teenage years, Evelyn. Your chance to be happy, to feel confident, to dream big. I’ll never forgive myself for that.”Tears streamed down Evelyn’s face as memories flooded back. The cafeteria, the laughter, the humiliation it all came rushing back, raw and painful.

“I can’t do this,” she choked out, turning away. “I can’t forgive you. Not now. Maybe not ever.”“I understand,” Liam said softly. “I don’t expect you to. I just needed you to know the truth.”Without another word, Evelyn walked away, leaving Liam standing alone by the fountain.

Back home, she collapsed onto her bed, sobbing uncontrollably. The letters the ones she had cherished so deeply now felt tainted. Betrayed.But as the hours passed, her anger began to fade, replaced by confusion. Why had Liam written to her? Why had he risked revealing himself after all these years?She pulled out the stack of letters and reread them, searching for answers.And then she noticed something she hadn’t before.In almost every letter, Liam had dropped subtle hints about his identity. References to the past, to moments they had shared even apologies disguised as questions.

Do you believe people can truly make amends for the harm they cause?Have you ever felt like someone understands you without saying a word?If you ever want to meet, look for me at the park bench near the fountain.

Each hint had been right in front of her, hidden in plain sight. But she had been too blind to see it. The next morning, Evelyn woke up exhausted but determined. She didn’t know what to do about Liam or “A Reader” but one thing was clear: she couldn’t ignore this.She picked up her pen and wrote a short reply, leaving it on the counter of the bookstore.

Dear A Reader,

I know who you are now. And I need time to think. Please don’t contact me again until I’m ready.

Yours truly,

Evelyn

As she placed the letter down, she wondered if she would ever be able to forgive him. Or if some wounds were simply too deep to heal.

Would you agree to meet someone who has been sending you anonymous letters, even if you didn’t know their true identity? Why or why not? If you were Evelyn, would you give Liam a chance to explain himself, or would you cut off all contact completely? Why?

To Continue the Story CHAPTER 03