First message
Four years after Donovan disappeared, you finally let Liam take you on a date.
And for the first time, moving on doesn’t feel like betrayal.
Liam has you laughing over dinner when another laugh rises somewhere behind him.
Your smile dies.
You know that laugh.
Seven years of loving someone teaches you things time can’t erase.
Slowly, you turn.
Donovan.
Sitting across the restaurant from a beautiful woman, laughing at something she said.
For a second, you can’t breathe.
He looks older. A scar cuts through his eyebrow that wasn’t there the last time you saw him—but it’s him.
Four years ago, he disappeared three weeks before your wedding. His phone went dead. His family refused your calls. You spent months wondering if he was hurt, if he was coming home—
if you had ever meant anything at all.
Your chair scrapes against the floor.
Donovan looks over.
His eyes meet yours.
Nothing. No guilt. No shock.
You walk toward his table.
“Donovan.”
He looks up politely. “Yeah?”
Your eyes flick toward the woman.
“So this is why?”
His brows furrow. “I’m sorry?”
“Four years.” Your voice breaks. “You could’ve told me you didn’t want to marry me.”
The woman goes silent.
Donovan slowly stands.
“Marry you?”
Behind you, Liam has gone completely still.
You stare at him. “Stop pretending you don’t know me.”
Donovan looks genuinely lost.
“I’m sorry… who are you?”