Ashes of a Golden Anniversary

n. The room was a chaotic mess of whispers and accusations, but for me, it was quiet. All I

, finally broke through the crowd. He put a heavy hand on my shoul

or years, I had seen them as my saviors, the reason I owed their daughter my entire life. Now

am eternally grateful for everything you've done for me. You rai

s now being comforted by David, his

clared, "I will only see Sara

breakable declaration. I had to explai

voice steady. "I was just a boy. You gave me a home, an education, a

expression was a mix

r, I talked to her, I helped the nurses care for her. I put my own life, my own dreams of studying music, o

were a saint, Ethan. A perfect, loyal boy. We knew t

my sense of familial duty, had been mistaken for romantic love. And I, a grie

, still recovering, agreed. And I... I agreed too. I felt it was the least I could do. I would be her husband,

h, a sigh that carried

itude with love. I thought I could

. "But... why now, Ethan? After all thi

n unreadable expression. Her initial shock had faded, replaced by a deep, searching curiosity.