Millionaire Attends His College Reunion, Not Knowing His Old Flame Will Soon Steal His Heart
The Reunion at Halton University
Ellis Carter hadn’t planned on attending the reunion. However, his assistant slipped the invite onto his desk with a note: “Might be good to show your face again; you’re not a ghost.” He sighed and told her to RSVP “yes.”
Standing outside the familiar stone archway of Halton University’s grand ballroom, he adjusted the cuff of his tailored charcoal suit. It cost more than his old college car. A line of luxury black cars waited along the circular driveway behind him.
Music and laughter poured from the open doors. It had been fifteen years since graduation. Somehow, stepping onto campus made him feel twenty again.
“Ellis… Ellis Carter,” a voice called from behind.
He turned and froze. There she was: Fay Donovan. She was the girl he’d loved and lost, the one who shattered his heart the day she walked out of their dorm and never looked back.
Her hair was shorter now, falling in soft waves just above her shoulders. Her dress was simple, nothing flashy, but it made his chest tighten. He hadn’t felt this in years, not even with the models or actresses he’d taken to charity galas.
“Fay?”
His voice came out low and unreadable. He couldn’t quite decide what emotion to land on: shock, nostalgia, or regret. She blinked, clearly just as surprised.
“Wow, you look rich,” she offered dryly.
She laughed—a sound that hadn’t changed at all.
“Different, but yeah, that too,” he replied.
They stood there awkwardly for a beat, the energy between them thick.
“You came,” she finally said.
“I did,” he replied. “I didn’t think I’d see you here.”
“I wasn’t going to come,” she admitted. “But I guess curiosity won.”
He nodded slowly, then stepped aside.
“Walk in with me?”
Fay hesitated, then linked her arm through his.
“Sure, why not?”
Inside, the ballroom gleamed with golden chandeliers, white linen tables, and a live string quartet. Waiters in tuxedos floated by with trays of champagne. Money had definitely touched this place since Ellis last saw it.
“Guests are not in dorm parties anymore,” Fay said, raising a brow at the crystal chandeliers.
Ellis chuckled.
“No more red solo cups.”
They weaved through the crowd of former classmates. Ellis was stopped every few minutes for handshakes and back pats. People asked what he’d been up to. He gave vague answers, as he never liked talking about money at events.
People knew he was Ellis Carter, founder and CEO of Carter Tech. He was a millionaire by twenty-eight and a Forbes cover at thirty-two. He was one of Manhattan’s most eligible bachelors. Still, standing next to Fay, none of it mattered.
“Do you ever think about back then?” she asked as they found a quiet corner near the balcony.
“Every now and then,” he said, watching her. “Do you?”
She didn’t answer right away.
“I thought about calling you more than once.”
“Why didn’t you?”
Fay looked away, her fingers brushing the edge of her champagne flute.
“Because I was the one who left.”
He didn’t answer. He remembered that night too clearly: her suitcase, her tears, and the way she kissed him goodbye like it meant nothing.
“I was scared,” she added. “You were getting offers left and right, moving to New York. I didn’t want to hold you back.”
“You didn’t even ask what I wanted,” Ellis said, his voice low.
Fay flinched.
“I know.”
Silence stretched, then she met his eyes again.
“Are you seeing anyone?”
He shook his head once.
“No. You?”
She gave a small smile.
“No.”
Somewhere across the room, someone called his name, but he ignored it.
“I should have reached out,” she whispered.
“You still can.”
They stared at each other, years crashing between them.
“I didn’t expect to feel like this,” Fay said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Like what?”
“Like if I leaned in right now, I’d still fall.”
Ellis didn’t hesitate. He stepped in closer, his hand brushing her waist.
“Then fall.”
A breath caught in her throat. Just like that, fifteen years dissolved. He kissed her, and she kissed him back. It was not polite or casual; it was real.
When they pulled apart, her hands were still on his chest.
“I should have never let you go,” Ellis said, his voice rough.
“I’m here now,” she replied, “if you still want me.”
Ellis let out a breath, like something inside him had finally let go.
“I never stopped.”
