er favor

dding, a memory from a late-night conversation under streetlights. The stranger's voice was

flattered, but the

he singi

final verse, they snapped open, and for a fleeting second, their eye

cts screamed a

, but collided with

a familiar voice

rr

up into his green eyes, which crinkled as he smiled s

, Sarah,

ile, but confusion still swirled in her chest. "Is this... a rehearsal?"

, a hint of something

're part of this play.

s. "I don't understand...

a piece of classical music that filled the theater, their voices blending into the soaring melody, their faces hidden behind delica

arry, but the space

ic. She spun in place, scanning the darkened hall for him. Then, his voice-cl

ouring emotion into every note. She froze, breathless, as Harry descended from the stage, his eyes never l

fluttered down. Her heart raced, torn between disbelief and wonder. The opera singers waved, their voices liftin

er. The music faded into the background, t

inute without you," he sai

x. He opened it slowly, revealing a delicate ring. The diamonds sparkled under th

e whispered, "wi

at, the world

s different. Patient and unwavering, he stayed by her side, proving himself in quiet, steady ways. Slowly, she began to believe in him,

the fear of trusting anyone, and the warmth Harry had brought into her life. The bakery, their laughter, the

to form words. "Y

d, the lights brightening to a warm glow. Music

pull her into a gentle embrace. The scent of his c

piest man alive," he mu

the softness of his voice breakin

led apart, the

rkness, Sarah felt it-a presence, cold and watch

ight and cheerful, but

r hand to kiss it. "Let's go celebrate

e with distant traffic and laughter spilling from nearby restaurants. Harr

all. The air was rich with the scent of flour and sugar, the warm

she asked, t

e in the middle of the empty bakery.

ment comforting, soothing the tension that still

phone on the counter, the screen lighting up with a message he ign

okay?" she a

, but his smile didn'

head against his chest, l

ops, flipped through catalogs, argued playfully over cake flavors,

uld have

ess in his jaw as he glanced at his phone, the way he excused himself to take

it. Everyone had se

her small apartment, staring at t

ry ignore t

el like she wa

e pillow to her chest, closin

dal shops, tried on suits and dresses, and circled dates on the calendar with eage

ily to share t

ce of a gown, its softness somehow amplifying the hollow feeling in her chest. Her smile faltere

reaking slightly. She kept her gaze fixed on the gown, as t

chatter, the rustling of silk and tulle. Then, Harry's hand gently

have me. I don't have my mother with me either... but my father will be there. An

, ever the steady presence, had a wa

. Sarah looked up at him, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. She saw the s

n, casting its long shadow, he was alway

though her heart still ached. "It's just..

at slipped free he said, his voice low and tender. "But wh

tting his words soothe the emptiness that had followed her for so long. With Harry, p

elp but believe him. Was she truly this

arah's mind torn between the joy of planning a wedding w

to talk to

telling me?" she asked softly as they sh