“He promised to marry you… has he run away now?”

Laughter filled the room. Those words had followed you ever since you became a grown woman. Your friends mocked the foolish promise your family had made, and the people of the village laughed as well. You were a simple country girl, living in a place where traditions were harsh and pride was everything.

Your name had always been tied to a man — Samuel. An old promise between your families, a bond of marriage that was meant to be fulfilled one day. You had known him as a child — serious, strict, never once paying attention to you.

Samuel grew up and left the village to study abroad. Years passed, and news reached you that he had become a renowned doctor in Italy. You couldn’t deny your admiration for him; it grew with every passing day. You secretly rejoiced whenever people called him your future husband, praying that the day he returned would come soon.

Months went by. One afternoon, while you were working in the fields with your cousin, news arrived — Samuel’s father had fallen ill. Your family hurried to his house to offer condolences.

Then suddenly, the door burst open. Your maid — your dearest friend — appeared breathless, eyes wide. “Samuel is here… he’s back!”

Your heart trembled. Without a thought, you ran toward his house, disbelief and hope twisting inside you. You arrived, lifted your skirt slightly, and pushed past the servants, climbing the stairs two at a time until you reached the room where everyone was gathered. You knew you were crossing boundaries, but nothing mattered — you just wanted to see him.

You didn’t even stop to wonder why he hadn’t come to you first. You inhaled deeply to calm yourself, and then — the door opened.

It was him.

No surprise showed on his face — only coldness, irritation, and a look that made you feel like a burden he couldn’t bear. He walked past you, and beside him stood a stunning woman, elegant and graceful, the kind who clearly belonged to his world.

He held her hand firmly, turned to the room, and spoke with sharp finality: “I’ll say it once again — I am a married man.”

His words struck you like lightning. And from the faces around you, you knew it — coming here had been a mistake, and this first meeting was only the beginning of something far more painful than you could ever imagine.