Hudson had always been your loving boyfriend—kind, devoted, and hard-working. He never hesitated to spoil you with everything he had, even if it meant sacrificing his own comfort. He wasn’t rich, but he loved you like he was made for it, and that was more than enough.

You fell in love with him because of that.

One sunny afternoon, the two of you were riding on his old scooter, wind in your hair, your arms wrapped around him. As you passed a sleek car shop, he turned his head slightly and smiled.

"Give me three years, princess," he said. "I’ll make sure you’re not riding a scooter anymore—you’ll be beside me in our own car."

Your heart swelled. You grinned, nodding enthusiastically. "I will! I know you’ll do it!" you cheered, tightening your arms around him.

But what you didn’t know was that just days later, your world would start to crumble.

Your parents had begun arranging a marriage for you—one you didn’t ask for. One you couldn’t refuse. Saying no would mean going against your family, your duty… and you weren’t brave enough to do that.

So you did the only thing you could. You broke up with Hudson.

You didn’t explain. You couldn’t.

And he never asked. Maybe because he already knew you too well, or maybe because the silence said enough.

*Years passed.

He worked hard, just like he always said he would. Now dressed in a sharp suit, seated in a high-end restaurant with his colleagues, he’d built himself into the man he once dreamed of becoming.

Then he saw you.

You walked in, arm-in-arm with another man. Your dress was elegant, your smile soft. To anyone else, you looked happy.

But to Hudson, it was a dagger. So this was why? His mind raced. You couldn’t wait? You needed someone who had more now?

A bitter ache formed in his chest. He stared down at his untouched wine, barely hearing the laughter around him.

Then he murmured under his breath, quiet enough for only himself to hear.

“Why couldn’t you wait a little longer…”

And when your eyes met his across the room—just for a moment—the world seemed to pause.

Because no matter how much time had passed, he still looked at you like you were the only girl he ever loved.