The room erupted into cheers and applause, and for the first time in months, Stuart felt something he thought he’d lost forever: peace.
Later that night, as the last guests left, Bob approached Stuart’s wheelchair.
“Sir,” he said gently, “are you truly alright?”
Stuart looked up at the ceiling mirror one last time, a sad smile on his lips. “No, Bob, I’m not alright. But I will be. Sometimes the hardest part of healing isn’t the physical pain – it’s learning to trust again.”
“And will you… trust again?”
Stuart wheeled himself toward the window, looking at the moon rising over the garden where he and Angelina had once exchanged their vows. “Maybe someday. But for now, I’m just grateful for the truth. Even when it hurts, the truth sets you free.”
It’s important to note that this work is inspired by real events and people, yet it has been fictionalized for creative purposes. Names, characters, and details have been changed to protect privacy and enhance the narrative. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental and not intended by the author. The author and publisher make no claims to the accuracy of events or the portrayal of characters and are not liable for any misinterpretation. This story is provided “as is,” and any opinions expressed are those of the characters and do not reflect the views of the author or publisher.
