She moved toward Arthur, step by step. Finally, she reached out, took the ring from his trembling hand, and slowly slid it onto her own ring finger. Her smile bloomed like a flower. “Arthur, I’m willing to wear your ring, to become your wife, and to spend my life with you—knowing you, cherishing you, and staying by your side forever.” Arthur finally snapped out of his shock. His hands shook so badly he could hardly speak. “Whoa… Ashley, you—you can stand?!” he stammered. Her eyes curved with quiet joy, and she nodded, confirming the truth he could hardly believe. Arthur suddenly pulled her into his arms, tears welling up. “This is amazing! Ashley, you’re standing—you’re really standing! This is incredible!” At that moment, he cried like a child. Though Ashley had always remained cheerful after losing the use of her legs, Arthur had carried a knot in his heart. She had been injured saving him, and the guilt had never left him. More than once, he had wondered if she would have been better off never meeting him—never being pulled into danger time and again. But now—she was standing. She had truly stood up again. Overwhelmed, Arthur clung to her, repeating over and over, “This is amazing… it’s amazing…” The sight brought tears to many eyes. The guests, though outsiders to their story, felt Arthur’s joy so vividly that it stirred their own hearts. Applause broke out—fervent, heartfelt—a wave of blessing for the couple. In the midst of it, Ashley picked up the other ring and held it out to Arthur. “Arthur, let me put this on you. From today on, you’ll be my husband. Will you?” Tears still streaked his face as he nodded hard, answering again and again, “Yes! Yes! Yes! I will!” He willingly extended his hand, letting her slide the ring onto his finger. “I’m willing to wear your ring, to become your husband, and to spend my life with you—knowing you, cherishing you, and staying by your side forever.” Now both rings were securely in place. If these rings could bind their hearts as they bound their hands, then neither of them would ever want to be free. They embraced tightly, as if wanting to merge into one, both laughing and crying in joy. The applause grew even louder. Then—cutting through the noise—a slightly hoarse, dissatisfied voice called out, “Such a lively occasion, and you didn’t invite me?” The voice wasn’t loud, but coming from the front row just as Devon and Professor Xia stepped down and their microphones dropped in front of him, it was amplified across the venue. In an instant, the room went silent. People glanced toward the front in confusion, but those nearest the source—Toby, Tricia, and the couple on stage—froze. They knew that voice. Too well. Too long had they missed it. Beside the speaker, Nina jumped, blurting out, “Whoa! Sleeping Beauty’s awake!” Taylor turned his head toward her, and for a moment, the usually thick-skinned man felt his ears burn red. This was the girl who had never stopped talking by his side. He remembered it all—how he had heard every word during his long immobility. At first, the panic in everyone’s voices. Later, Nina’s endless chatter in his ear. Toby and Tricia’s hands trembled, their eyes brimming with tears. “You—you’re awake! You’re really awake!” They hurried over, touching his arms and shoulders in disbelief, as if to make sure he was real. Ashley’s legs were still unsteady, so Arthur helped her down from the stage, hurrying toward Taylor. Despite three months in a coma, the constant massages and therapy Toby and Tricia had given him meant Taylor felt surprisingly little discomfort. After a bit of movement, he was able to get up from his wheelchair entirely—back to the lively, full-of-energy man they knew. Arthur’s eyes welled again. He looked Taylor up and down, then clapped his shoulder hard. “Finally! You finally woke up—you’re back!”