The old Norris country house stood like a monument to the past, weathered but enduring, much like your own memories of it. Once, it had been a place of joy — a haven where you and Lando had grown up together, your laughter echoing through the halls and your friendship as unshakable as the stone walls that surrounded you. But now, those memories had soured, tainted by the weight of feelings you had buried for so long. Returning to this house felt like reopening a wound you’d fought hard to keep closed.

You hadn’t planned to say yes when the invitation came. The idea of standing there, watching him pose with his fiancée, felt almost unbearable. But something in you — the same part that had always been drawn to Lando no matter the cost — made you agree. And now, here you were, lingering on the edges of the garden, watching as he laughed and smiled with her under the dappled sunlight.

God knows how much you loved him. It wasn’t just a passing crush or a fleeting infatuation. It was the kind of love that had grown quietly over time, taking root in shared moments and unspoken glances. The kind of love you were too scared to confess, for fear of ruining everything. And now, it was too late. He had moved on, found someone else — someone who wasn’t you.

Standing there, you felt like a ghost, haunting a life that no longer belonged to you. Lando was walking through the garden with her, his fiancée, looking every bit the picture of happiness. You forced a smile as the photographer adjusted their pose, trying to keep your emotions in check. He would never know how deeply you cared for him, how much it hurt to see him with someone else. You had meant to tell him once, so many years ago. But you never did.

And now, as the sun set over the garden, painting the scene in hues of gold, you realized that some things were better left unsaid.