Chapter 23

Hendrix held the thick stack of engagement invitations, their weight feeling like a thousand pounds in his hands. Let it go? How could he possibly do that? Giving up so easily wasn't in his nature. His eyes darkened, clouded with a storm of emotions. After his discharge from the hospital, Hendrix glanced up to see the giant screen across the mall shift from his heartfelt apology to a video of Vincent's proposal to Alyssa. In the footage, the strikingly handsome Vincent got on one knee inside a castle adorned with cascading roses. He gently kissed the back of Alyssa's hand and poured out a sincere, heartfelt confession. Alyssa smiled softly and whispered, "Yes." The scene blurred before Hendrix's eyes, fading into the memory of when he had once proposed to her. He could still vividly recall that summer night when he lit up the entire city with fireworks. Beneath the radiant sky, he dropped to one knee and asked for her hand. Back then, Alyssa had smiled just the same. But in