For the next few days, I watched her carefully.

Was she sick? No—she looked perfectly healthy, eating well and going for her morning runs. She wasn’t going in for any tests or appointments either.

I couldn’t understand her reasoning, but I agreed. Loving Anna meant trusting her, even when she made no sense.

She took care of everything.

Two weeks later, we were in the car, heading to a hospital to get married in the ward for critically ill patients.

“Will you tell me why we’re here now?” I asked, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “Why are we doing this surrounded by people fighting for their lives?”

Anna reached over and squeezed my hand. Hers trembled slightly.

For a second, it looked like she might finally tell me. The words were right there.

But she held back.

“Please,” she whispered. “This matters to me. I’ll explain everything. Just do this for me.”

I nodded. What else could I do?

I stepped out of the car and adjusted my suit. It felt stiff and out of place in a hospital parking lot.

While Anna went inside to speak with the staff, I stayed near the entrance, waiting for the officiant. I felt completely out of place in my tuxedo.

Suddenly, someone tugged on my arm.

I turned and saw an elderly woman with a warm smile. She held a white bouquet that smelled like spring.

“Logan, why are you standing there looking so gloomy?” she asked. “It’s your wedding day!”

I blinked. “Do we know each other?”

Her expression shifted into something hurt, deep and unexpected.

“Anna didn’t tell you…”

“Tell me what?”

She glanced down at the flowers. “I really don’t want to do this. I don’t want to ruin her surprise. But it’ll be worse if you don’t find out now.”

She leaned in.

Her voice dropped into an urgent whisper, and she told me something so shocking I thought, for a moment, I had imagined it.