REWRITTEN ROMANCE

illment, the quiet certainty that all her sacrifices had finally been worth it. She had pictured warmth

her arm looped through her father's, what she fe

s opened

t symmetry, their petals pristine, untouched. Sunlight filtered through stained glass windows, c

phia

loomed. Phones were discreetly ra

ks so be

ogether since c

a fair

gracefully, her posture flawless, her steps measured. The custom-made gown hugged

tood at the a

tly. When their eyes met, he smiled-a familiar smile that had once made her heart rac

tened slightly a

ew for as long as

ho walked her home, who stood up for her when others teased her for being too quiet. As teenagers, he had

lt her life

t longer than

rtunities she had given up because Andrew "needed time." She remembered paying his tuition when he struggled,

time, she ha

atience, she

his grip firm but not tight. She searched his face for nerves, for em

ound

Vows were exchanged. Promises spo

n, Sophia's voice w

xed on him. "To walk with you through every joy and hardship, to s

nt ever

f gratitude, of partnership, of a future built t

thing wa

ronounced them husband and wife, Andrew leaned do

closed

eeting she almost dismissed it-sh

ly. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above polished floors.

e a porcelain doll-smiling, nod

his arm possessive around her waist. To anyone w

ced the details

ded the moment g

d from hers whenever

ut toward the cluster of executives an

ightly as the night wore on. "Why don'

sitated.

o long. "There are people I sh

ur fu

ded. "A

rposeful. Someone clapped him on the shoulder. Lau

ease settled

r of the day faded. The room was dimly lit, petals scattered

her earrings. Her reflection stared back at her from

om the bathroom,

t today," he

look at him.

"What more

ffection, for tenderness. Instead, sh

g in her

d softly, "do you

ed out before she

a fraction

he sm

ng a strand of hair from her face. His touch was gentle, familia

whispered. "I just..

inst her cheek, then

ed you,

n't an

nodded

uickly, afraid of pushing fu

forehead. "G

turned his back to her, Sophia lay

self she was

lways

cracks began to surface-sub

s busy. A

He moved through their shared space like a guest rathe

d the silenc

ched it. She rearranged her schedule to match his. She liste

own dreams, he listened politely-then re

t?" he would say. "I'

uld nod. A

old photos on her phone. Childhood memories surfaced-Andrew smiling shyl

ni

something faint a

friend who listened. The one who showed up when A

hone and shook t

s marr

chosen

to mean s

ned that night, the smell

te," she s

shrugging off his jacket. "Can't

harder than

rogating you,"

n't ap

ast her, already rea

e living room, the silen

her arms aro

e told herself. Ma

was already standing

ent of quiet doubt-was the last fragil