They can mark it as unread and you won't know they seen it. Chat messages still go to mail. There is an option to mark as unread in mail.
You can also be on chat but they are chatting through mails. Also they can see the 1st few words and not open the mail so it won't show as read.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.