The music slowly faded, and the priest cleared his throat, adjusting his glasses.

“Shall we begin now?” he said with a small smile.

Everyone quieted.

Bruno turned to Beauty, his hands gently holding hers. Their fingers locked, trembling slightly.

They stared into each other’s eyes intensely, unblinking.

Bruno exhaled softly; he was the first.

“I’ve written these words a hundred times. Rehearsing them in my head, dreaming about this moment—yet ...