He promised me forever and vowed to never let them come between us.
As the sole heir to the Montgomery empire, he'd been groomed since birth to follow in his father's footsteps. It's why I tried to fight the attraction. As an impoverished girl from the fringes of our small town, I knew our relationship was doomed from the start. But with his charming smiles, longing glances, and relentless pursuit, Shane Montgomery shattered my defenses.
As our love grew, so did his family's disapproval. When Shane made it clear I'd be a permanent fixture in his life, his parents issued an ultimatum. For the sake of our future, I urged him to follow the path they'd laid out for him, with the promise I'd wait, no matter how long it took.
While he pursued their dreams, I navigated alone. Yet, despite the distance, our hearts remained tethered, clinging to the hopeful future we were certain was ours.
But when tragedy strikes, tearing our world to pieces, we're left teetering on the edge, uncertain how our love will withstand our newfound reality.
He swore he would protect me.
If only we'd known the lengths they would go to break us apart.
Choosing her cost me everything I'd ever loved... including her.
I had everything a guy could ask for, a loving family, the perfect small-town life, and a promising future I had worked hard for.
It should have been enough.
She was off-limits, my parent's best friend's daughter, practically my sister. I fought my feelings, pretending our soul-deep connection didn't exist. When she confessed she felt the same, I pushed her away, believing our friendship mattered more than temporary infatuation. That she agreed should have come as a relief, but it left me with this void I didn't know how to fill.
It's what drove me to the bonfire that night. Right there, with our friends as witnesses, I claimed her. Told her I loved her and made her promises I shouldn't have made.
Hours later, it all came crashing down in a whirlwind of fire and ashes. That one split-second choice to go after a girl that wasn't meant for me cost me everything I loved.
I never should have crossed that line or given in. It's why she'll forever be my greatest love and deepest regret.
This tragic story is the beginning of our end...