On our wedding day, I honestly believed my real life was finally beginning.
The reception hall glowed with warm lights and laughter. Music filled the room. Guests talked over one another happily.
Karl had already taken off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves. He looked happier than I had ever seen him.
He was laughing at something one of our guests had said when suddenly his face changed.
His hand shot to his chest.
His body jerked violently, like he was trying to catch hold of something invisible.
Then he collapsed.
The sound of his body hitting the floor was horrifying.
For one frozen second, nobody moved.
Then chaos exploded.
Someone screamed.
The music stopped instantly.
“Call an ambulance!” a woman shouted.
But I was already beside him.
My wedding dress spread around me on the floor as I grabbed his face with both hands.
“Karl? Karl, look at me.”
His eyes stayed closed.
Everything after that felt blurred and fragmented.
People crowded around him.
Then backed away.
Then crowded around again.
The paramedics arrived and dropped to their knees beside him. I remember hearing words like:
“Clear.”
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