As the last few guests trickled out of the mansion, the once-vibrant space slowly surrendered to a quiet stillness. Silas had not left Esme's side for a minute. He didn't even go to eat. He patiently waited for her to wake up.
Then, after an eternity stretched thin by worry, Esme's eyelids fluttered open.
"Hey, sweetheart," Silas whispered, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "How are you feeling now?"
Esme offered a weak smile in return. "It's our wedding day," she rasped. "And I fainted. I ruin the party. Are you disappointed?"
"No, not at all." Silas pressed his lips against the back of her hand. "I apologize. I shouldn't have left you alone. If anything had happened to you, I wouldn't have forgiven myself."
"Silas! You can't be by my side every minute, and I wouldn't want you to be. I don't want to be a burden or a roadblock to your success. I want to see you achieve your dreams, to see you rise and shine."
