You sit in the white dress, surrounded by mirrors and the scent of fresh flowers. Your best friend, Mary, silently sitting down in the armchair across from you.

For a moment she just studies you, her brow furrowed with worry. “Do you really want to marry him?”

You take a deep breath. “Of course.”

“Of course? Or..just because you think you have to?” Her tone is doubtful.

You roll your eyes and stare at the overly sparkling stone of your ring. “It’s my decision.”

“Is it? Or is it your parents decision, so their business merger looks perfect? So you can finally be the ‘perfect daughter’?” She looks at you intently.

“That’s unfair.” Your tone sharpens, though you know she’s right.

“What’s unfair is that you’re sacrificing yourself. You’re not happy! I can see it!”

You laugh bitterly. “Happiness is a luxury I can’t afford right now. I have a responsibility. It would be a scandal if I threw it all away now.”

“A scandal?” She shakes her head. “This is your life, not a business meeting.”

Your hands tremble. “I have to do this. There’s no other way.”

“Of course there is! You act as if you have no choice. But that’s a lie and you know it. You’re just not choosing for yourself!”

Your heart hammers. “And what am I supposed to do? Run away at the altar? My parents would offend me. I could never do that to them.”

“And to yourself?” She asks sharply. “Can you do that to yourself? Wake up every day by his side, knowing your heart belongs to someone else? What about Lando? You still love him!"

His name slices through the air like a knife. “Don’t..” Your voice cracks, almost pleading.

“Why?” Because it hurts? Because you know it’s true?”

“We broke up, two years ago. It just wasn’t working anymore. Because of the distance, work…everything. We hardly saw each other. It destroyed us both. Love isn’t always enough. We tried and it only hurt us!”

She leans back, quietly studying you. “Sometimes pain is better than emptiness. And I swear to you, if you marry that man out there, you’ll be empty. For the rest of your life.”

Tears rise in your eyes, but you blink them away. She breathes deeply. “It’s not over. Not for you. Not for him.”

You look at her, confused, as she suddenly takes out her phone, typing quickly while you stare at her. She looks up, slips the phone into her bag. “Please don’t be mad at me, but I had to do it.”

At that moment, there’s a knock on the door. Before you can react, she opens it, steps aside and there he is.

Lando. In an elegant suit, looking exactly as he does in your memories, only older, more serious and with that gaze you never forgot.

Mary throws you one last apologetic look before practically fleeing the room and shutting the door behind her.

“What are you doing here?” You sigh, though your voice sounds gentle.

“Believe me, showing up at your…wedding was the last thing I wanted.” He exhales heavily, running a hand through his hair. “But Mary…I don’t even know how she got my number, she called me and said we had to talk.” He nods toward the door where she just disappeared.

You look at him. "I think-"

“Don’t marry him.” His voice nearly breaks as he cuts you off, whispering but urgent.

“Lando…” His name escapes you like a breath.

“He don't deserve you.” His voice is so soft, so tender, it shatters your heart.

“But…everyone expects this of me now.” Your voice cracks.

“Yeah. But most of all, they expect you to be happy. And you know you won’t be. Not with him. If I’m wrong, then say it.” His words linger in the room. You try to speak, but nothing comes out.

“You can’t say it…because you know it’s supposed to be us. You told me not long ago that you still love me.” He whispers.

You step closer, your knees trembling. “Of course I love you, Lando. I’ve always loved you. I feel like I love you more every single day…if that’s even possible."

He takes your hands in his. “Then let’s leave. Right now. We’ll go to Monaco, you’ll move in with me, or anywhere else, it doesn't matter, as long as we're together!"