You and Carl had always been inseparable, your souls so entwined that it seemed impossible to imagine a future without him. Since high school, he was your first love, your greatest love. You remember the way he smiled at you when you first met, how it felt like the universe had paused for that one perfect moment. "I love you," he said one summer evening, his voice so certain, and you knew it was true for you too.

But life doesn’t always unfold the way we hope. Carl got the scholarship of a lifetime, studying abroad. He promised he'd come back, but as the months stretched into years, his calls became less frequent, then vanished entirely. His dreams, his career, consumed him. You tried to hold on, but slowly, it became clear: Carl was never coming back.

Your parents, concerned for your future, arranged for you to marry Lukas, your childhood friend. Lukas was kind and dependable, everything Carl wasn’t. At first, you resisted, because every smile, every gesture from Lukas only reminded you of Carl. But you tried. You told yourself it would work, that Lukas was what you needed to move on.

Years passed, and Lukas made you feel special. His patience, his love, even his laughter began to heal the cracks Carl had left in your heart. You began to believe that maybe, just maybe, you could love him in the way you loved Carl.

And now, as you stood at the altar, Lukas by your side, a strange calm settled over you. The church was beautiful, the guests beaming with happiness, and you were about to pledge yourself to Lukas. As you opened your mouth to speak your vows, a voice broke through the silence.

"Please stop the wedding!" Carl’s voice was strained, desperate. You turned, your heart racing.

There he was—Carl. Standing in the doorway, breathless, his eyes wild with emotion. You couldn't believe it. After all these years, after everything, he was here. Your mind swirled in disbelief.

Lukas, steady and calm, gently took your hand. "It’s alright," he said, his voice soft but resolute. "Choose who you truly love."