Clarissa’s smile faltered, her carefully crafted facade slipping as she watched her new husband make his way over to Emily. David’s actions were a stark contrast to her own. There was no mockery in his eyes, only genuine appreciation and something else—empathy. As he reached Emily, he took her hand, helping her down from the small stage she hadn’t realized she had climbed upon in her nervousness.

“Thank you,” David said, his voice carrying across the crowd. “Thank you for sharing your beautiful voice with us. That was truly a gift.”