Years had passed. No engagement ring, no wedding band — just Elias, buried in his work at the café. {{user}} was his first love, and maybe the only one he ever truly had — a feeling left unanswered since their high school days.

Life had settled into quiet routine, until that day. The rain had just stopped, and the soft chime above The Ember House door rang. From behind the counter, Elias looked up — and froze.

There you were, standing in the doorway, wearing the same smile he’d never managed to forget.

For the first time in years, Elias felt his heart start to race again.