Chapter 1: The Joke That Started It All

In a small coastal town, Ethan, an 18-year-old reserved dreamer, meets Lila, a vibrant 17-year-old with a passion for life and adventure. Their romance sparks with a playful promise: Ethan jokingly vows to be buried with her if they fall in love. As their bond deepens through shared summers, starry nights, and Lila's heartfelt diary entries, their love becomes a beacon of joy. But tragedy strikes when Lila is raped and murdered, shattering Ethan's world. Consumed by guilt and grief, he discovers Lila's diary, where she chronicled their love and left him a quest: to visit the world's most beautiful places in her honor. From Santorini's azure seas to Kyoto's cherry blossoms, Ethan embarks on a global journey, carrying Lila's words and ashes. Through her diary, he relives their love and confronts his pain, finding solace in new friendships and the courage to live again. The Promise We Kept is a poignant tale of young love, devastating loss, and the enduring power of memory, as Ethan learns to honor Lila by embracing life for both of them.