The Girl He Was Promised

The Girl He Never Forgot

Six years ago, Alexander Go believed he knew exactly what he wanted from life.

At twenty years old, he was already being groomed to inherit the Go family's vast business empire. He was cold, disciplined, and rarely interested in anything that didn't concern business.

Then, one rainy afternoon, he met a girl who changed everything.

He found her beneath an old pavilion near the Go family's private estate.

She was sixteen.

Her clothes were soaked from the rain, her long dark hair falling messily over her shoulders.

And in her arms was a small, trembling kitten.

"Easy," the girl whispered, gently wrapping the injured animal in her handkerchief.

Alexander stopped.

"What are you doing here?"

The girl looked up.

Most people became nervous whenever they saw him.

She didn't.

Instead, she looked at him from head to toe.

"Waiting for the rain to stop."

"This is private property."

"I know."

Alexander raised an eyebrow.

"And you're still here?"

She smiled innocently.

"The kitten needed help."

He looked at the animal.

"You could have called someone."

"I could have."

"Then why didn't you?"

"Because while I was waiting for someone else to help, the kitten might die."

Alexander fell silent.

There was something strange about her.

She wasn't afraid of him.

She wasn't impressed by his family name.

She simply cared about a wounded animal.

Then she looked at him again.

"You look angry."

"I always look like this."

She laughed.

"That's unfortunate."

Alexander stared at her.

Nobody talked to him like that.

Yet somehow, he didn't feel offended.

They talked until the rain stopped.

She told him she loved art and music.

She spoke passionately about paintings, antiques, and classical compositions.

Alexander listened.

He didn't understand why he was so interested in a girl he'd only met moments ago.

Before leaving, she handed the kitten to a nearby security guard who promised to take it to a veterinarian.

Then she turned toward Alexander.

"What's your name?"

"Alexander."

"Alexander what?"

"Go."

Her eyes widened slightly.

"Ah. The Go family."

He nodded.

"And you?"

She smiled.

"Anastasia."

"Your surname?"

She hesitated.

"Maybe I'll tell you the next time we meet."

Alexander frowned.

"There won't necessarily be a next time."

"We'll see."

She turned around and walked into the rain.

Alexander watched her disappear.

For the first time in his life, he wished someone would keep a promise.

---

Six years later.

The Go family mansion was unusually quiet.

Alexander sat across from his grandfather, his expression cold.

"The Smith family has invited us to their residence tomorrow," his grandfather said.

Alexander placed his phone on the table.

"About the engagement?"

"Yes."

His expression hardened.

"I want it cancelled."

His grandfather stared at him.

"Alexander."

"I've already made my decision."

"And why?"

Alexander leaned back.

For years, he had kept the memory of one girl hidden from everyone.

But tonight, he finally spoke.

"Because I've already found the woman I love."

His grandfather's expression changed.

Alexander's voice remained firm.

"I met her six years ago."

"Who is she?"

"I don't know her family background."

His grandfather frowned.

"You don't even know her surname?"

"No."

"And yet you're certain?"

Alexander's eyes became unusually gentle.

"I'm certain."

He remembered the girl beneath the pavilion.

The girl who wasn't afraid of him.

The girl who smiled at him as though he were simply another person.

"The woman I marry will be her."

His grandfather sighed.

"And what about Anastasia Smith?"

Alexander's expression returned to its usual coldness.

"I'll apologize to her."

The decision was made.

The next afternoon, Alexander Go arrived at the Smith residence with one purpose.

To end his engagement.

He walked through the grand doors without hesitation.

But the moment he entered the main hall—

He stopped.

A young woman stood at the top of the staircase.

Long black hair.

Elegant posture.

Calm eyes.

And that familiar smile.

Alexander's heart slammed against his chest.

No.

It couldn't be.

The woman slowly descended the stairs.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Go."

Alexander stared at her.

Six years disappeared in an instant.

The pavilion.

The rain.

The injured kitten.

Her teasing voice.

Maybe I'll tell you the next time we meet.

His grandfather's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

Anastasia Smith.

Alexander's eyes widened.

The woman he had spent six years searching for...

was standing directly in front of him.

His fiancée.

Anastasia tilted her head.

"Is something wrong?"

Alexander looked toward the Smith elders.

His voice was cold.

But his answer shocked everyone in the room.

"I believe there has been a misunderstanding."

The Smith elders exchanged confused glances.

Alexander slowly looked back at Anastasia.

"I came here to cancel the engagement."

A pause.

Then his lips curved into the faintest smile.

"But I've changed my mind."

Anastasia blinked.

Alexander's gaze never left her.

"I'll marry her."