Chapter 3

3 Ashley hid behind Mark. "You signed them! Leave me alone!"

Mark punched Jason, sending him sprawling. "She's divorced! Leave her alone!"

Jason fell back, bumping into me. I lost my balance, twisting my ankle as I landed hard on the floor. Mark, still holding Jason by the collar, told him to get lost. Then he rushed to Ashley's side. "Ashley, are you okay?"

The saleswoman, looking bewildered, helped me up. "Sir, I think Miss Sarah has hurt her ankle."

Mark finally turned to me. But at that moment, Ashley fainted. He instantly scooped her up. "Sarah, I need to take your sister to the hospital. You can…try on more dresses later."

"Okay," I said. "Be sure to come back."

My ankle throbbed, but I could still walk.

"So, Miss Sarah," the saleswoman asked hesitantly, "shall we try on some other dresses?"

"No," I said. "Maybe some other time."

Mark, predictably, didn't return to the bridal shop. He told me to go home and rest, that Ashley was weak and needed him at the hospital.

Later that night, I took apart my phone case, pulling out a photo. "Jake," I whispered, "I wore a wedding dress today." Only silence answered.

The next day, I drove to the cemetery. A couple and a little boy stood at Jake's grave.

"Excuse me," I asked, "are you…?"

Their faces lit up. "Jake was our son's savior! You must be his girlfriend."

I nodded dumbly.

"Your boyfriend donated his corneas to our son. We don't know how to thank his family enough. Please, take this…" They offered me a bank card.

My heart lurched. I looked down at the little boy with Jake's bright, grape-colored eyes. Tears welled up.