Ileana’s heart shattered as Rex collapsed at her feet. His once-bright eyes—the same ones that had watched over her since childhood—were clouding over. Her father dropped to his knees beside her.
“Sweetheart,” he said softly, “we should take him to the vet.”
But Ileana already knew.
“He waited… to see me in my wedding dress,” she whispered, her voice breaking.
At that moment, Constantin, still dressed in his wedding suit, came rushing down the church steps.
“What’s happening?” he asked, alarmed, kneeling beside them.
“He’s saying goodbye,” Ileana replied, tears streaking her face.
Constantin reached out, took her trembling hand, and gently stroked Rex’s fur. The guests stood frozen in reverent silence, witnessing the heartbreak unfold.
With one final surge of strength, Rex rose—shaking, unsteady. He took a few slow steps toward Constantin, licked his hand tenderly… as if offering his blessing. Then he turned back, curled up beside Ileana, and quietly slipped away.
A hush fell. The joy of the day melted into grief. No one had imagined the celebration would end in such sorrow.
But then—from the sky—a white dove descended, landing softly on Ileana’s shoulder. Its feathers shimmered in the sunlight. Its eyes were gentle. Familiar.
“It’s a sign,” her mother whispered through tears.
The dove took flight, circling once above the gathered crowd before disappearing into the sky.
And so, the wedding carried on—not just as a union of two hearts, but as a tribute to a love that transcended life itself: the fierce, pure bond between a girl and her dog.
