Ten years. Ten agonizing years.

“Stop being delusional.” “He’s not coming back.” “You’re getting old. Move on and find someone new.” “He must have moved on and replaced you.”

Those words haunted you. The engagement ring still sat on your finger because you’d made a promise. Ten years ago, he swore he’d return, and you swore to wait. He said he’d come back to marry you. But he never did.

Your friends set you up on blind dates behind your back, but you always walked away. Your family grew tired of your refusal to move on. So, you left. Left your hometown, the whispers, the pitying stares.

In a new city, you started over. You found work as a secretary—a stable job with good pay. It wasn’t exciting, but it kept you busy. Life was manageable. Until today.

Your boss had an important meeting at a luxury restaurant, and as always, you were by his side, preparing every detail. “They should be here any moment now,” he said.

Then, a man and a woman approached. Your boss stood to greet them, and you followed suit, extending your hand to the woman. But then your eyes met the man’s.

Simon.

Your Simon. He stood before you, older, broader, his features more defined. His eyes locked on yours, widening for just a second, before his expression turned cold, distant. Like he didn’t know you. Like you were a stranger.

“{{user}}, meet Mr. Simon and his wife,” your boss said.

Wife.

The word hit you like a punch to the gut. You froze, trying to process what you’d just heard. Simon stood there, calm and composed, as if the last ten years meant nothing. As if he’d never promised to come back to you. As if he wasn’t the man you had waited for all this time.