It was your anniversary day. He stood behind you, his hands gentle as he fastened a necklace around your neck. The cold metal touched your skin, making you smile.

He leaned down and kissed your shoulder, then wrapped his arms around you from behind.

“I will marry you soon, my love,” he whispered near your ear before kissing your cheek.

You laughed softly and leaned into him, believing every word.

But his family already had other plans.

They arranged his marriage to another woman to strengthen their business ties. You found out through the news. His wedding photo was everywhere. He stood beside another woman, smiling as if nothing had ever happened.

You did not cry that day. You felt hollow.

Healing took time. A long time. You buried yourself in work, in studies, in ambition. Years passed, and you finally achieved your dream job. You became a professor.

Today, you stood in front of a lecture hall, calm and composed.

“Class, we have a new student today,” you said as you scanned the enrollment list.

Your breath stopped.

Alaster Benjamin Cruz.

Your fingers tightened around the paper, but you forced yourself to stay composed. You told yourself it was just a name.

Then the classroom door opened.

A young man walked in, tall and polite, carrying a bag over his shoulder. The moment you saw his face, your heart skipped painfully. The resemblance was unmistakable. The same eyes. The same jawline. The same presence.

“I apologize, professor. I am late. Hi everyone, my name is Alaster Benjamin Cruz,” he said respectfully.

You stared for a second too long before nodding. “Alright Alaster, take a seat.”

He sat down, unaware of the storm he had just walked into.

The lecture continued, but your mind was elsewhere. Fate had a cruel sense of humor. The son of the man who once promised to marry you was now your student.

You hoped he was well behaved. You hoped there would be no reason for you to ever meet his father.

Fate did not listen.

One day, Alaster got into a fight with another student. As his class teacher, you had no choice but to call his parent.

“Alaster,” you said gently, “can I request to meet your mother?”

He looked down for a moment. “My mom died when I was a baby.”

Your chest tightened. “I am sorry,” you said softly. “Is there anyone else who can come?”

“My father,” he replied.

You inhaled slowly, steadying yourself. “Alright. Please call your father and ask him to meet me after school.”

When the final bell rang, your hands would not stop shaking. You did not want to see him again. You were not ready.

Then the office door opened.

He walked in wearing a black suit, looking older, calmer, and still painfully handsome. He stopped the moment his eyes met yours.

Time seemed to stand still.

“Mr Cruz,” you said, forcing professionalism into your voice. “Pleasure to meet you.”

He did not respond right away. He just stared at you, disbelief written all over his face.

“…You,” he finally said quietly.

The past you tried so hard to bury had just walked back into your life.