Liam once proudly declared in his youth.

"Liam will always love Nina."

Yet, ten years later, Liam made a completely different choice.

***

The decision to break up with Liam came on our tenth anniversary.

On my way to the bridal shop, the taxi I was in had a minor accident. Fortunately, I wasn't seriously hurt—just a few scrapes.

"Hold still."

The nurse said as she applied a cold compress to my forehead. I winced, taking a sharp breath. I glanced at my chat with Liam, still stuck on the same message from this morning. "Good morning." A wave of sadness hit me.

Today was supposed to be the day we tried on wedding gowns, but of course, something had to go wrong. I just wanted to slip into a wedding dress and stand in front of him, to show him my most beautiful self.

"You're all set. Be mindful of your diet, avoid water contact..." The nurse's voice faded as I rushed out, determined to make it to the bridal shop. I had only one thought in my mind. I was going to marry the man I loved.

When I was eighteen, I met Liam.

He was the bright, untouchable figure of youth, bursting into my life like a beam of light, and I could feel my heart skip a beat.

After we graduated from university, he was invited back to give a speech as one of the top graduates. I still remember how proudly he announced to the audience,

"Liam will always love Nina."

Thinking of this, I couldn't help but quicken my pace.

Just a few meters from the bridal shop, a black Maybach pulled up. Liam stepped out of the car, followed by a pretty girl who chattered excitedly beside him. He smiled at her so tenderly.

The sight of them was painful. Right at that moment, my phone rang—it was Liam.

"Nina, I have to meet a client today. Let's reschedule the gown fitting."

"OK."

I replied, hanging up. Through the shop window, I saw Liam and the girl attentively listening to the sales assistant. Liam said something that made the girl blush and laugh.

Sensing my gaze, the girl turned to look at me, smiling innocently before wrapping her arms around Liam.

I forced a smile, but my heart ached bitterly.

This scene had played out in my mind countless times before.

In my second year of college, I won first place in the school's speech competition, but someone accused me of plagiarism. My roommates, who already didn't like me, locked me out of the dorm.

I wandered the streets aimlessly in the cold until I found myself standing in front of a bridal shop.

"Nina, turn around."

Liam's voice came through the phone. I turned to see him standing behind me, arms open, though he was supposed to be in Gallance for a competition.

I threw myself into his embrace, taking in his familiar scent that calmed me. Tears streamed down my face, and he held me close.

"Shh, I'm here now."

Under the moonlight, our shadows stretched long and intertwined.

When I later asked how he managed to come all the way from Gallance, he simply said he missed me.

It was that day he promised me I would wear the most beautiful wedding dress.

"Liam, is something bothering you?"

He came home, hung his coat, and placed his phone screen down on the console. I noticed he had a new scarf. He used to hate this color. When I asked why he was wearing it, he said he didn't like it.

"I brought your favorite shrimp. Nina, what happened to your head?"

His face filled with concern as he rushed to me, not even bothering to change out of his shoes. He cupped my head gently in his hands, his eyes full of genuine care.

For a moment, I saw the eighteen-year-old Liam again.

"It's nothing. I just took a small fall."

"So careless. Does it hurt? Next time, call me immediately, okay?"

"What about this time?"

I looked at the man I had loved for ten years. He was no longer the boy I once knew—he had become a mature, composed man. But why did it feel like a knife was twisting in my heart? It hurt, so much.

"Today was just an accident. A client needed an urgent meeting, so I had to go..."

He stumbled over his excuses, but when he saw my tears, he stopped talking. Hastily wiping them away, he pulled me into his arms. The unfamiliar scent of perfume on his clothes made me feel sick.

"Alright, don't be sad. It won't happen again," he promised softly.

I bit down on my lip, trying to hold back my emotions. "Liam, we'll be together forever, right?"

He hesitated for a moment before resting his head on my shoulder, gazing at the snow falling outside. In a gentle voice, he whispered.

"We will."