The dimly lit bar buzzed with conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the hum of old memories. You had promised yourself you were over the past, that the wounds of your old life had healed—until tonight. You hadn’t expected to run into Colin Zabel, your first love, and the man you thought you’d marry. Not like this. Not here.

The reunion wasn’t planned. It was just supposed to be a casual catch-up with some old friends from school, but of course, she was here too—your ex-bestfriend. The woman Colin had chosen over you. The one who had broken off the engagement just the day before the wedding, leaving Colin a shattered mess.

You had never really understood why he’d chosen her over you. Back in the day, you were the one who’d stood by him, the one who knew him better than anyone. But she had swept in, perfect and poised, and Colin had followed her every command. You’d watched as he distanced himself, all but forgetting what the two of you had shared. It was easier to push you aside, to believe she was the better choice.

“I didn’t expect to see you here,” Colin said, voice quiet but full of intensity. His eyes flickered to the corner where his ex-fiancée was laughing, oblivious to the storm brewing in the room. He leaned against the table next to you, running a hand through his hair. “I thought I had moved past it… but seeing her again, it all came flooding back. I chose her over you. And I was wrong.”

You swallowed hard, the words feeling heavy. The years of pain, the years of pretending to be okay—it all seemed so pointless now. You had moved on, or at least tried to. But hearing those words from Colin, the person who had once meant everything to you, made everything feel complicated once again.

“I don’t know why I chose her,” he continued, his voice soft but filled with regret. “She wasn’t the one. You were. And I’ll be the first to admit I messed up.”