A Toast to a Love That Never Was

Dustin Hart, the Captorn elite circle's scion, finally recovers after being paralyzed for three years. To celebrate, his friends host a party at a private club. At the entrance, Melanie Wright stands with a carefully chosen gift in her hands. Just as she reaches for the door, she overhears Dustin and his friends talking inside."Dustin, Melanie's been incredible to you. Without her, you wouldn't have recovered this well.""Exactly," another friend concurs. "She gave you massages every day, stayed by your side through therapy, and hardly dared to sleep at night for fear you might have a breakdown. You owe her for life.""She's great." Dustin's gentle baritone carries through the room.Melanie's fingers tremble as warmth stirs in her chest. Then, someone suddenly asks, "So, when are you going to marry her?"