Sylvia''s cheeks flushed even redder as she shot him a re. "Who... who are you, really?"

    "Lester. We''ve met before, remember? That blind date."

    "I went on a blind date with you?" Sylvia looked genuinely surprised.

    "Well, there was a bit of a misunderstanding, but that''s close enough." Lester grinned, then changed the subject. "Your mom went to see the doctor. She brought you some m chowder—said you should eat as soon as you woke up."

    "Okay."

    Sylvia nced at the thermos on her bedside table. As she reached for it, pain shot through her side where she was bandaged.

    "Ow..." She winced, instinctively curling away from the pain.

    "Hey, don''t move." Lester steadied her with a gentle hand. "Let me help."

    "Thanks."

    Leaning back on her pillow, Sylvia watched him carefully as he poured the creamy chowder into a bowl. He stirred it to cool it off, then scooped up a spoonful from the top and brought it to her lips.

    She hesitated, a little embarrassed. "I can do it myself."

    Lester nced at her bandaged arm. "You''re the patient. No need to y tough."

    "...Alright."

    Sylvia epted the help, opening her mouth for the soup. As she ate, she couldn''t help but nce at the hospital room door, her mind clearly elsewhere.

    A momentter, she reached out for the spoon herself.

    "Thank you."

    "For what?" Lester replied casually.

    "For... everything," Sylvia said, leaving it at that.

    He grinned. "How about you take me out to dinner sometime, then?"

    Sylvia smiled shyly and nodded. "Deal."

    She looked down and focused on her chowder, hiding her smile.

    ...

    When Rupert returned to his hospital room, he nearly collided with Reese Sanford, who''d juste looking for him.

    "Rupert, why didn''t you tell me you were sick?" Reese scolded, her tone worried. "I only found out from Orson."

    In truth, Rupert''s injury was a gunshot wound, but Chris had told everyone he just had a bad case of the flu.

    Rupert looked at Reese-her steps a little unsteady from rushing to find him, her face full of concern. His expression was calm but tinged with somethingplicated.

    "I didn''t want to worry you," he said softly.

    Reese threw her arms around him. hugging him tightly, her voice

    trembling. "But you worrying me

    like

    this makes it worse! Please, just tell me next time, okay?"

    She looked up at him, searching his face for reassurance.

    Rupert swallowed hard, as if pushing down something he couldn''t say. "Alright."

    "I made you something to eate, let''s go inside and you can try it."

    Reese wiped away her tears, then looped her arm through his and led him into the room.

    On the table, beside the food she''d prepared, was a small red box.

    Rupert recognized the logo-Eloise''s Studio.

    Noticing his gaze, Reese opened the box and held it out for him to see.

    "Sylvia designed our wedding rings. Aren''t they beautiful?"

    The rings were inspired by the traditional red ribbon used to tie a bride and groom''s hands together at Western weddings. The men''s ring was simple but elegant, with a subtle twist in the band, polished and brushed to catch the light like a flowing ribbon. The women''s ring was softer, a ribbon of tiny

    diamonds wrapping around the central stone.

    ced side by side, the curves of the rings fit together perfectly-a symbol of unity.

    Reese picked up the men''s ring and reached for Rupert''s hand, wanting to slip it onto his finger.

    But just as she was about to, Rupert drew his hand back, curling his fingers away.

    Reese froze, hurt shing in her eyes.

    "Rupert... are we still getting married?"

    Her voice cracked, the ring trembling in her hand.

    Then, suddenly, Rupert took the ring from her and slid it onto his own finger.

    "I''ll do it myself," he said quietly.

    Hope blossomed on Reese''s face, and she nodded, blushing.

    She knew what his answer meant.

    He was still going to marry her.