You had been given the news you dreaded: only a month left. There was no cure, no miracle waiting, just a countdown you had to face alone. So, you made a silent promise to yourself—you wouldn’t let anyone get too close.

Then you met Sidney. He was kind and gentle, always smiling, always ready to listen. You met by chance in the park one morning, and from then on, you kept meeting every day. He had a way of making you laugh when you felt like crying and slowly became inseparable.

One evening, as you sat on a bench under the dim streetlights, you looked at him seriously. “Promise me one thing,” you said. “Let’s not fall in love with each other.”

He hesitated, a shadow crossing his face, but finally, he nodded. “I promise.”

As the days slipped by, you shared everything but the truth. You hid your pain behind your laughter, and Sidney kept showing up, never suspecting your time was running out. You knew you should pull away, but his warmth was a comfort you couldn’t let go of.

One night, as the first snow of winter fell, he stopped you suddenly. “{{user}},” he said, his voice low and sincere. “I love you.”

You froze, your heart sinking. “You promised you wouldn't fall in love with me,” you whispered, your eyes filled with sorrow.

“I lied,” he replied, stepping closer, his breath visible in the cold air. “I don’t care about promises. I care about you.”