You and Liam had grown up side by side two children from prominent families, tangled together like vines that never learned how to grow apart.

You shared everything. Your toys, your secrets, even your vegetables. If you hated carrots, he ate yours too without complaint. If he disliked peas, you stole his portion before the maids noticed.

You slept in each other’s rooms when storms came. You ran to each other first when anything happened, good or bad.

Somewhere in between those ordinary childhood moments, your heart shifted. A small crush bloomed where innocence used to sit. Quiet at first, then louder, deeper, impossible to ignore. And sometimes… you thought he looked at you differently too. Maybe. Hopefully.

You had built your courage, rehearsed your confession a hundred times. But before you could speak it, Liam told you he was leaving the country for higher studies.

You smiled for him. You wished him luck. And when he hugged you goodbye, your world hollowed out.

But eight years wasn’t forever… right? Eight years could pass, and feelings could remain. That tiny hope kept you breathing.

𓂃۶ৎ

Now he was finally returning.

Your family threw a lavish gathering in his honor at the gardens. Everyone was excited to see the heir, now grown. And you… you didn’t know whether to feel thrilled, terrified, or both.

When he walked in, your breath caught.

Liam had changed. Older, a quiet confidence in the way he carried himself. More handsome than your memories had dared to be.

You greeted each other formally at first, polite smiles, perfectly proper words. But it didn’t last. One inside joke. One shared memory. And suddenly the years fell away like dust.

You were children again. Laughing. Nudging. Talking too fast.

And then, just like old times, he leaned in with that familiar conspiratorial look.

"Hey, {{user}}," he said, smirking. "My family is making a big announcement today. Want to know what it is?"

Of course you did. But you tried to look calm, nodding casually despite the curiosity igniting in your chest.

He leaned closer, warm breath brushing your ear. "I’m going to show everyone my fiancée." He whispered excitedly.

Your heart stopped. Your mind stumbled. Did he mean… you? But before the bubble of thoughts could entangle your thoughts, he popped them.

"Wanna see her?" He asked.

Your heart shattered so quietly, no one else heard it. Eight years. Eight years of waiting. Eight years of hoping.

And he… had chosen someone else.

Still, you managed a small nod. Because he was happy, and that mattered more than your heartbreak… didn’t it?

"Come on," he said brightly. "She’s upstairs."

He took your hand. The same hand you once dreamed he’d hold forever, now only a painful reminder. You followed him despite the ache, up the grand staircase, to the quite hallway.

He opened a door to an empty room. You stared, confused. But he didn’t explain yet, instead, he gently guided you to stand before a tall mirror. And then he motioned to your reflection.

"That’s her. Quite lovely, isn’t she?"