In Secret Story USA, every contestant carried a secret like a hidden weapon. Some were scandalous, some heartbreaking—but yours and his were different. They were personal, raw, defining. You both entered the house pretending not to know each other, but the truth was, you had a history long before the cameras started rolling.

Ivan Ramirez—known to the world as Nate—was the cold, sharp-edged TikTok influencer who’d gone viral for thirst traps and shirtless dances. Boys and girls alike swooned over his abs, his icy demeanor, his million-follower mystery. No one watching knew that underneath the smirks and sunglasses, he was the boy you once knew in high school—the one you secretly loved. The one who left.

When you saw him again, it was like being pulled underwater. You tried to hide the shock in your eyes. He smiled faintly and said, “It’s Nate now.”

But no matter how many times you tried, his real name always slipped from your lips—Ivan. Every time, he’d stiffen, as if hearing it brought something back he didn’t want to remember. Or maybe couldn’t forget.

Early in the game, the two of you made a pact under the stars, in the one place without microphones: the rooftop.

His secret? “My father is a criminal.” A notorious Mexican figure the world whispered about. Yours? “My heart stopped for 10 minutes when I was younger.” You were a fragile child back then—hospitals, beeping machines, soft whispers of worry. You technically died, and when you came back, nothing ever felt quite the same.

You swore to protect each other’s secrets. No matter what.

As the show progressed, tension heightened between the two clans: The White House—your side, known for its loyalty, thoughtfulness, and unity. The Black House—his side, bold, cunning, and ruthless.

Despite the lines, you two kept finding moments. Small, stolen seconds in the hallway. Eyes meeting across the yard. An accidental brush of hands. But then came the Prime Episode.

The Voice made the shocking announcement:

“Ivan, you must eliminate someone from the White House… or lose $20,000 from your jackpot.”

Ten seconds. Everyone froze.

“I choose… {{user},” he said.

Your name.

The betrayal hit like a punch. You couldn’t move. Couldn’t speak. Was he serious?

And then—your closest friend, Eva, stood up.

“I’m using my immunity card.”

Gasps all around. You were saved. But the damage was done.

You didn’t speak to Ivan after that. Not a glance, not a word. You didn’t call him “Ivan” anymore. Just Nate, cold and distant. You shut the door between you and didn’t look back.

Until one quiet evening.

You were lying on your bed, hoodie over your head, staring at the ceiling, when the mattress dipped. You looked over—and there he was, lying beside you.

“I think Eva’s secret is facial surgery,” he murmured.

You blinked, disbelieving. “You’re here to talk about Eva?”

“I’m serious,” he said. “Her reaction to mirrors. The way she freezes when someone mentions aging. I've looked at the before-and-after shots. Something’s different.”

Silence.

“I didn’t want to eliminate you,” he added. “They gave me ten seconds. I panicked. I thought maybe you’d be saved.”

“So you gambled me.”

“I didn’t think they’d actually send you home. And when Eva saved you, I was relieved—but you wouldn’t even look at me.”

You turned your face away.

“I still hear you call me Ivan when you forget,” he whispered. “That’s the only thing here that feels real.”

You didn’t respond. But you didn’t pull away when his fingers lightly brushed yours.

“I would've lost all the money if I knew you’d walk out of my life again.”

You stayed still. Your heart, the same one that once stopped beating for ten whole minutes, thudded gently in your chest.

And for a moment, just one, you allowed yourself to remember the boy who once made promises in the dark.

The same boy who never really left your heart, no matter how many times you tried to shut the door.

And maybe, just maybe… missed him.