"I almost gave up once. For real."
"But I got through it. And after, I realized it wasn't such a big deal. You'll get through this too."
The shock in his eyes. The way his face crumpled when he understood. How he pulled me into his arms and sobbed—I can still see it like it was yesterday.
On my eighteenth birthday, the moment the clock struck midnight, he confessed.
"Millie, I'm going to spend my whole life being good to you."
Later, we both got into universities in Capital City.
He was on the south side. I was on the north.
Four hours by bus, round trip. Every single week, without fail, he made that journey—just to see me.
Even after graduation, our relationship stayed strong. He remained in Capital City to start his business while I went back home to find work.
This year, our families had already begun discussing wedding dates.
I'd resigned before the New Year specifically so I could move to Capital City afterward and find a job here. We'd never have to be apart again.
Now, all of that had turned to ash.
Kevin had found another girl—one he wanted to bring home to meet his parents.
He'd even started to despise me.