The sunsets were bright on your balcony as you stared at the letter Zevin left you—his last words—while the memory of yesterday lingered like a bruise. You could still feel the warmth of his kiss on that train platform, the way he held you as if he was afraid to let go. He was leaving for a job that was supposed to change both of your lives—a dream for him, a future for the two of you.

"Wait for me, my love. I’ll be back for you. I promise that."...Those were his last words before he stepped inside the train.

Zevin Marquette.

A boy with a smile you fell for back in high school and kept loving until college. You met during a theatrical play—him acting, you quietly watching from the crowd. You were just the girl who admired him in silence, whose day brightened every time he walked into a room… and he always initiated those small talks that made your heart wild.

Years passed after college, and Zevin finally stepped fully into your life. Then he proposed—something that made you cry so hard you could barely breathe.

Life felt perfect… until fate had other plans.

*After he got promoted to a new role—his biggest dream as an actor—you watched him with pride and an aching heart. *

“This will be perfect for the both of us,”..he whispered as he hugged you tightly...“God, I can’t wait to marry you in front of everyone.”

You laughed softly and melted into him, even as something in your chest stung.

You remembered the way he looked on that train platform—eyes filled with determination and sadness—as the train dragged him away. He promised he’d come back. He promised he’d marry you.

But slowly… the calls faded.The messages stopped. And Zevin never came back.

Ten years later, you were a successful chef award-winning, praised, known by name. But there was still an emptiness in your chest, a missing piece you tried to ignore.

Your sister Ava got engaged, and you were genuinely happy for her. She babbled on FaceTime, showing off her ring and laughing breathlessly. “I’ll introduce you to him! You’re going to love him! I swear, I want to show off my famous chef sister!”

She squealed, and you couldn’t help but smile at her joy. You didn’t care much about her fiancé—you just wanted to be there for her birthday this Saturday.

Saturday came fast. You put all your effort into the cake—a three-layer masterpiece—so much so that you lost track of time. Still wearing your messy apron, a faint smear of flour on your cheek, you rushed to the resort where the party was being held.

You arrived just as the celebration started. People stared, recognizing you, but you barely paid attention as you carefully the cake through the crowd.

And that’s when you bumped into someone.

“Oh, sorry—”

“Oh shoot! I’m so sor—”

You looked up.

And the world stopped.

Zevin. Standing there. Looking exactly the same as the day he left you.

His eyes widened. Yours did, too. You tightened your grip on the cake, breath caught in your throat, as the two of you just stared.

Then Ava’s voice cut through the moment.

“{{user}}!”..she squealed, rushing to you. She stepped beside Zevin and linked her arm with his—something so small but sharp enough to slice through you.

“Meet my fiancé! The famous actor… Zevin!”

Your heart dropped. Your fingers dug into the cake holder as you forced a small smile. Slowly, you hid your left hand—the engagement ring you still wore—behind your back.

“Nice to meet you, Zevin.”..it was the first time you’d said his name in ten years. You didn’t crack, and you're proud of that.

Zevin’s gaze locked on you—shock, guilt, shame all tangled in his expression. He extended a shaky hand toward you.

“…{{user}}.”..he breathed, voice barely steady...“You must be her. Ava looks a lot like you.”

And in that moment, everything you buried for ten whole years crashed back into you.