The Love I Couldn’t Keep

Alex Rivera has always been the quiet, dependable one—the best friend who stays in the shadows while everyone else shines. For years, he’s hidden his love for his best friend, Ethan Carter, watching him date one woman after another, smiling and wishing him well while his own heart breaks in silence. When Alex’s family arranges a marriage with Sophia Martinez, a kind and intelligent woman, Alex decides it’s time to let go of his impossible dreams. But on the night before the wedding, Ethan shows up at his door, his eyes filled with anguish. “I’m sorry,” he says, pulling Alex into his arms. “But I love you.” Now, Alex is torn between the life he’s accepted and the love he’s always wanted. As secrets unravel and emotions run high, Alex must decide whether to follow his heart or honor the expectations of his family. In a world where love isn’t always enough, can Alex and Ethan find a way to be together, or will the weight of tradition tear them apart?