Chapter 1. Where it all began.
EVITA.
The last bell of the year rang, echoing through the halls like freedom.Summer. Finally End of high school.
Mickey, my best friend in the whole wide world and I rushed out of the classroom, practically sprinting toward the gates. Everyone around us was laughing, cheering, tossing papers in the air.
MICKEY: “We survived this year, Evy! ¡Por fin! We are done with highs school.”
She threw her arms in the air dramatically, her long curls bouncing.
EVITA: “Barely,” I laughed. “If Mr. Torres gave us one more surprise quiz, I would’ve dropped out.”
We both laughed, walking down the street together. Madrid in June smelled like heat and dust and freedom.
And then I saw him.
Leo.
He was standing by the gate with a group of friends, looking unfairly good in his white shirt and loose tie. My stomach did that stupid flip it always did around him.
MICKEY: “Oh, there’s your prince charming,” she teased.
EVITA: “Shut up,” I muttered, but couldn’t stop smiling.
As we passed, Leo caught my eye and smiled that lazy smile that melted me every time.LEO: “Hey, Evita. You done with exams?”
EVITA: “Yeah. Finally.”
LEO: “Good. We’re going to Melisa’s party later—you should come.”
MICKEY: “We’ll think about it,” she said quickly, before I could even answer.
Leo winked, then walked away, leaving me with a heart doing somersaults.
MICKEY: “You’re blushing,” she whispered.
EVITA: “No, I’m not.”
She grinned. “Oh, you so are.”
⸻
We got home still laughing, carrying iced coffees and talking about summer plans. I pushed open the door, calling out automatically.
EVITA: “Mom! Mom!”
I stopped mid-sentence.
There, in our living room, sat a man I’d never seen before. He looked to be in his forties, tall, with silver threaded through his dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard. His clothes screamed money—expensive watch, tailored shirt, calm confidence.
Mickey greeted him politely.MICKEY: “Hola.”Then she turned to me. “I’ll be upstairs.”
She disappeared, sensing the tension.
MOM (Raquel): “How was your day, Evita?”
EVITA: “Great,” I said slowly. “I see we have a visitor?”
Silence.
Mom looked nervous. The man looked... steady, almost solemn.
RAQUEL : “Evita, this is... this is...”
MAN: “My name is Miguel Valdés. I’m your father.”
RAQUEL: “¡Miguel!”
Her voice cracked through the air, but it was too late.
For a second, I thought I misheard. Then it hit me like a punch to the chest.
EVITA: “You’re my what? Is this—what, some kind of April Fool’s joke? Because we’re in June.”
MIGUEL: “I’m your real father, Evita.” he repeated quietly.
EVITA: “No. No, what are you talking about. I already have a father. David is my father. Mom, what’s going on?”
RAQUEL: “Evita, it’s true, honey. He’s your biological father.”
I blinked at her. My mouth went dry.ME: “What do you mean? My father is David Alvarez. I—I don’t understand.”
RAQUEL: “Please, sweetheart—”
EVITA: “Mama, tell me this is some kind of sick joke.”
But her silence said everything.They both just stood there, and I felt the world tilt beneath my feet.
EVITA: “I can’t believe you. Especially you, Mom.”
I turned and ran upstairs before either of them could say another word.
⸻
I slammed my door shut and threw myself onto the bed. My chest hurt. My head spun.
EVITA (thinking): “I can’t believe my mom lied to me.”
Mickey appeared quietly at the door.MICKEY: “I’m sure she had a reason.”
EVITA: “What kind of reason makes you lie to your kid for seventeen years?”
MICKEY: “I don’t know, amiga.”
EVITA: “My whole life was a lie. I wonder if Dad knew...”
MICKEY: “Are we still doing movie night?”
EVITA: “No. I just... I can’t.”
She hesitated, then nodded.MICKEY: “Okay. I’ll leave you alone, then. You need time.”
She hugged me tightly before slipping out.
I stayed there for a while, staring at the ceiling. Then, almost without thinking, I grabbed my phone and dialed David’s number—my dad.
He didn’t pick up. He was still in South Sudan, volunteering as a doctor. Probably no service.
I threw the phone on the bed, frustrated.
Downstairs, I could hear my mom and Miguel talking in low voices—arguing, maybe. He said something about not wanting to disrupt our lives, that he only wanted a chance to know me. Mom didn’t reply. Then I heard the door close.
He was gone.
⸻
Somehow, I must’ve fallen asleep, because when I woke up, it was dark. My phone buzzed beside me.
It was Dad—David.
I sat up fast and answered.EVITA: “Hola, papá.”
DAVID: “Hola, sweetheart. Missed your call earlier—had a long day trying to save a kid’s life. Are you okay?”
EVITA: “I’m fine,” I said, but my voice cracked. “Actually... no. I’m not.”
DAVID: “What happened? You’re scaring me.”
EVITA: “Did you know... that you’re not my biological father?”
Silence. I could hear him breathing on the other end.
DAVID: “Cariño... where did you get that?”
EVITA: “From the man who showed up today. He said he’s my father. Miguel Valdés.”
Even through the phone, I could feel his silence. I already knew the answer.
EVITA: “So you knew.”
He didn’t deny it.
EVITA: “Never mind. I got my answer.”
I hung up.
I sat there in bed, feeling hollow, until I saw a text from Mickey.
MICKEY: “I ended up going to Melisa’s party. You should come—it’s crazy!”
Melisa. Of course. Leo’s on-and-off girlfriend.
Part of me wanted to say no, but I couldn’t stand being in this house another second.
EVITA: “I’ll be there in 10.”
⸻
I changed quickly, brushing out my hair and slipping into something cute—low-rise jeans with a lilac halter top and silver accessories, the kind of outfit that made me feel like I still had control over something. My brown hair fell in loose waves down my back, and I added a touch of gloss.
If I was going to fall apart, I’d at least look good doing it.
⸻
By the time I got to the party, it was chaos. Music blaring, people dancing everywhere. Mickey waved from across the room, already tipsy.
MICKEY: “Evy! You made it!”
She hugged me and offered me a shot.
EVITA: “Not tonight.”
I smiled weakly, and she shrugged before taking it herself.
I wandered through the crowd, looking for Leo. I just wanted a moment—some distraction.
Then I saw him.
He was in the corner, kissing Melisa like they were the only ones alive.
My chest tightened. My heart actually hurt.
I turned away quickly, but before I could leave, some drunk girl stumbled into me, spilling her red drink all over my top.
EVITA: “Joder.”
DRUNK GIRL: “I’m so sorry!”
I forced a smile. “It’s fine.”
It wasn’t.
I found Mickey again—she was making out with some guy. I touched her shoulder.
EVITA: “I’m leaving.”
MICKEY: “Why? What happened?”
EVITA: “Nothing. I’m just tired.”
MICKEY: “Want me to come?”
EVITA: “No. Stay. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
She smiled sadly.MICKEY: “Te amo.”
EVITA: “Yo a ti.”
⸻
The drive home was quiet. My mind replayed everything—Mom’s face, Miguel’s words, Leo with Melisa.
By the time I got home, I felt empty.
I slipped off my shoes, crawled into bed, and stared at the ceiling until tears slipped down my cheeks.
Not loud. Not broken. Just quiet tears.
All I wanted was to wake up tomorrow and pretend this was all just a dream.
