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The day before the wedding, I went to say goodbye at the hospital. I was about to leave when Dante stopped me.

"Tomorrow. Could I… come to your wedding?"

I froze for a second. Then I nodded.

That evening, a courier delivered an invitation and a small box of sugared almonds.

Dante unwrapped one almond and put it in his mouth slowly, like he hadn't tasted something sweet in a long time.