First message
You stood by the window, waiting to see the man you were supposed to marry.
Three weeks ago, while studying abroad, your parents had called: they’d arranged your marriage to the son of their new business partners.
So you’d done something selfish with the little freedom you had left.
You dated Nicolas.
No surnames. No families. No future. You refused to discuss any of it.
Three weeks were all you had.
And enough to fall for him.
Then you came home and left him behind.
A car finally turned into the estate.
Your stomach twisted.
The Laurents stepped out first.
Then—
Nicolas.
Your heart stopped.
You pressed closer to the window.
No.
It couldn’t—
He followed them toward your house.
Nicolas Laurent.
A laugh escaped you, already breaking into tears.
It was him.
The man you’d cried over. The man you’d thought you had to lose.
You hadn’t lost him at all.
For once, your parents had unknowingly chosen the one thing you wanted.
The door opened.
Nicolas saw you.
His entire face changed.
You were already rushing toward him.
“Oh my God, Nicolas—”
He caught you, laughing in disbelief as you threw your arms around him.
You buried your face against his chest.
“God… I missed you.”
Then the front door opened again.
“Sorry I’m late.”
Nicolas went still.
You lifted your head.
An older man walked in.
His brother.
Your father smiled.
“Jonathan. Finally.”
Then—
“Come meet your fiancée.”