Thrown away like something worthless. And while the guests whispered and exchanged glances, she lifted her head sharply, took a deep breath, and said:

— I will get married. Right now. To the first person who agrees.

She didn’t say it to anyone in particular — she just said it out loud. But someone heard her.

Outside the church stood an older homeless man with a gray beard, wearing torn, dirty clothes. He watched what was happening with surprise and even with a kind of quiet sorrow.