ing, before forcing a s

... sometimes it feels lik

ss the table, taking her hand. "Sarah, I wou

his voice almos

mo

tals falling like whispers around them, his eyes bright with promises of forever, and the soft weigh

ust Engaged tucked between the pastries. Customers congratulated her, and each "you'

the sile

en every morning, and she would glance up, expecting Harry, only to find strangers. Each evening, she

, her unease bec

nanswered ring another needle

but tight, "Harry, call me back, ple

usual visits to the bakery had stopped. That wasn't like him. He was always easy to reach, a

she curled up on the sofa in her small apartment. Her engagement ring glint

p knock spli

n her throat as she scrambled to the doo

oor open, she stagger

his hair. His face was bruised, one eye swollen, a cut on his lip

s voice cracked as she reach

rain pooling around his shoes, breathing ragged and une

stepping aside, guiding

he floor, but neither of them cared. Sarah fetched a towel, pressing it gently to his hai

ling before him, her eyes searc

t, and for the first time since she had met hi

.." His voice broke, raw an

on tightening around h

ey're after me. I don't know what to do, Sarah. I tried t

d softly, bracing he

ok as he whispered, "

n dollars. Her mind couldn't wrap around the number, couldn't understand

ven though part of her wanted to scream. "You have me,

in his dark eyes. His mouth opened

ad until their eyes met. "Money isn't everything. What

s head. "I'm so sorry. I just wanted to give you a bett

arah handed him her savings-the small amount she had been sett

voice thick with guilt. "I've already ruined

s they lingered over his. "What if it were me?" she whispe

r. Slowly, reluctantly, he nodded. "I'll pay you back. I'll make everything rig

his face, Harry's gaze lingered on her,

t?" she asked softly, dabbing ointm

ove a whisper. "You were the only person

ued. "I'm going to be your wife in a week, Harry. If I can help my husband,

hers with an intensity that made her heart skip. He leaned closer, the warmth of his breath brushing her

et, he pulled away, a sharp breath escaping him. Guilt shadowed his f

tered, his voice stra

oing at this tim

re fighting back tears. He turned away, his shoulders slump

't matter," she said, her voice soft but steady. "What matters i

brief, fleeting moment, but whatever she was searching for in his face, she couldn't

ry, hoping to distract herself with work, o

said, confused. "Who are

ping with disdain. "Mr. Harry sold i

ords. "No," she stammered, "this can't be right. I'm a partner here

glare. "Look, lady, I've got the paperwork

ng. "Let me call Harry," she said, trying

voicemail. Her heart sank. He'd promised her everything wa

ere Harry had performed. She asked everyone-stagehands, makeup artists

e took the time off," one of the ma

he told me he's going to the

ion," someone

Were they lying? Or had Harry b

tment. She froze, her breath catching in her throat. The small safe in the corner-wher

er cash

, numb, as her mind raced. Only o

would

he number going straight to voicemail, the mechanical tone of rejection cold in her ear. The

g person report, her voice cracking with the hope she clung to-hope that Harry hadn't

cracks were a

wanted to-it was one of the few things that still tied her to him, to the dream of a

amond's