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After the reception, as I was finally seeing the last guests off and sitting down, Linda came over. Her face was complicated.

"Dante asked me to give you this. And he says congratulations."

She patted my shoulder and left.

I remembered suddenly that Dante had said he'd come to the wedding. I hadn't actually seen him there.

I opened the envelope.

Nina—

I'm sorry. The truth is, I haven't completely let you go. But I know now that there isn't a future for us. You were right. Life moves forward. It's time I did too.

The time I had with you was the happiest time of my life. I won't ever forget it.

Forgive me one last cowardice—I couldn't bring myself to say any of this to your face. Wishing you every happiness, always.

I set the letter down.

I stood up to find my husband.

My life had already begun.

Dante, too, had to go find his.