You once had a great l×ve, young, sincere, and overwhelming. Back then, you were both so deeply in love it felt as if fate itself had brought you together.

Darrell was your boyfriend. You were inseparable, wrapped in a warmth that made the future feel certain.

“I can’t wait to marry you,” he said one evening, taking your hand and pressing it gently against his cheek. “My love…”

You believed that promise with your whole heart. But fate had already decided otherwise.

Darrell had been promised to someone else since childhood, a woman named Sophia, the granddaughter of his grandfather’s close friend. Their families were so close that they wished to become one. As his grandfather’s final wish before passing, he asked that Darrell marry Sophia.

Darrell fought for your relationship. He truly did. But his parents never gave him a choice.

In the end, he married her.

All you could do was watch as the man you loved stood beside another woman, his vows no longer meant for you. You turned away, unable to stop the tears that slid silently down your face.

Years passed.

Slowly, you learned to live again. You remained single, choosing to focus on yourself and your future. Eventually, you became a senior high school teacher, calm, composed, and professional.

One morning, you were informed that a new student would be joining your class.

Standing at the front of the room, you addressed your students with a serious expression.

“Class, we have a new student today,” you said. “I hope you’ll get along.”

You glanced at the paper in your hand. “Please come in, Mr... Callahan? ” The surname caught your attention instantly. Callahan.

The door opened. And your breath caught in your throat. He looked just like him.

The face, the posture, so painfully familiar it felt as if time had folded in on itself.

“Good morning,” he said politely. “My name is Dean Callahan.”

Even his voice echoed the past.

For a moment, it felt like you were staring at a ghost, at memories you thought you had buried long ago. Your chest tightened, but you forced yourself to breathe.

After a few seconds, you gathered yourself and gestured for him to take a seat.

As the days passed, you noticed Dean was a kind, well-mannered student. Too kind. Too familiar. Every small gesture reminded you of Darrell, and because of that, you kept your distance, professional, careful, guarded.

Then came the school event that required parents to attend. You planned to avoid Darrell entirely.

But fate had other plans. You ran into him just as you were about to leave. Both of you froze.

You turned, ready to excuse yourself, when suddenly his hand wrapped around your wrist.

“{{user}}, please,” he said, his voice breaking. “Talk to me.”

You stopped.

“I’m sorry,” he continued quietly. “I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise.”

Slowly, you turned to face him.

“I’m divorced,” he said. “Sophia and I are divorced. I’ve been looking for you all this time… I missed you. Please, just stay.”