1289 Vouchert Chapter 5 Isabella left Marcus's phone number behind and exited the clinic. No sooner had she walked onto the street than she got a message from Marcus with a church address. "Wedding rehearsal. Bridesmaids must attend." She hailed a taxi to the church. Upon entering the dressing room, she noticed Marcus talking with Laura about different types of bouquets. A wave of sadness washed over her. In reality, the church, the white doves, and the floral decorations at the wedding were fairly standard. However, each element had been carefully considered, and it was obvious that every aspect was crafted with attention to detail. When Marcus cared deeply for someone, he was able to express his emotions wholeheartedly. Isabella approached them from behind. Laura spun around and exclaimed with excitement, "You're here? Great-help me see if my jewelry looks right... Oh no! I forgot to put on that bracelet." 0.00% 1324 Chapter 5 288 Vouchers She tapped her head in annoyance, opened the jewelry box, and retrieved a bracelet. Isabella's eyes briefly landed on it, and she froze. It was the couple's bracelet she had designed for herself and Marcus two years ago! He had vowed to have it crafted and present it to her for their seventh anniversary. Isabella's mind went blank. "Where... did you get this?" "Oh, this bracelet? Marcus gave it to me," Laura said, as she gently leaned against Marcus's shoulder. "One night last year, there was a power outage. Marcus stayed with me throughout the night, and we began dating soon after. He gifted me this bracelet on that very day." "When was that?" Isabella asked with hesitation. Laura paused to think. "February 17th." Isabella felt a distinct snap resonate in her ears, marking the moment her heart broke entirely on February 17th-their seventh anniversary. She stared at the bracelet as if it were a knife twisting in her chest, the pain excruciating and indescribable. At that moment, someone called Laura from beyond the door, prompting her to leave the room. Chapter 5 248 Vouchers Now, only Isabella and Marcus were left inside. Breaking the silence, Isabella spoke gently, her voice tinged with confusion and disbelief. "On our anniversary, you mentioned an emergency call. But how could you have been with Laura that night?" Marcus paused briefly before admitting, "I lied to you." Isabella halted. "So when you mentioned the hospital department had a dinner on February 23rd last year, that was a lie too?" "It was Laura's birthday that day," Marcus replied with complete composure. Isabella nodded as if comprehending, but tears started to form in her eyes. She asked in a raspy voice, "And on March 6th, when you claimed you had surgery..." "I took Laura to an amusement park." "March 15th..." "She had a nightmare, so I stayed with her." Marcus raised his eyes to meet hers directly. This time, before she could inquire, he went on, "On April 7th, when I claimed to be on a three-day business trip, I was actually in Hawaii with Laura. "On April 13th, we watched the sunrise on Mount Whitney. On April 22nd, we visited Lake Tahoe. On May 3rd, we came back from a holiday in Japan. The following day, she expressed her desire to get 35.14% 13:24 Chapter 5 1288 Vouchers married, so I ended things with you. Do you want to know more?" He recounted each event in a straightforward manner. Isabella's throat felt dry and constricted, as if it were filled with cotton. She tried to speak, but no words emerged. This man stood before her with such composure, metaphorically stabbing her heart repeatedly. In this instant, he had obliterated every memory of their shared past. The anguish in Isabella's chest was nearly overwhelming. She bit down on her lip, yet a cry slipped out despite her effort. "Why?" Why was he treating her this way? She hadn't done anything wrong-why was this happening to her? Marcus observed her in silence. "Does the answer really matter?" Isabella shook, her eyesight becoming hazy. A year earlier, she would have seized Marcus by the collar, demanding an answer. "How can you be so self-righteous? Don't you feel any remorse?" But now, she couldn't. Because she was dying. In just a few days, she would be gone. 55.66% 13:24 Chapter 5 288 Vouchers Consequently, none of these answers mattered anymore. The door swung open once more, and Laura entered, observing them with curiosity. "Rehearsal's beginning. What were you discussing?" Isabella looked away, brushed away her tears, and left without saying anything. During the rehearsal, she stood quietly in the corner, listening to the host explain the wedding proceedings. "When the bride enters, the bridesmaids will pass her hand to the groom." "Then, the couple will stand here to recite their vows. Groom, do you recall the vows?" Isabella, lost in her thoughts, was brought back to the present. She looked up to see Marcus holding Laura's hand on stage, speaking with deep devotion. "I vow to take this beautiful woman as my wife, to comfort, protect, cherish, and value her above all else. In sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, I will be unwaveringly devoted to her forever." As he spoke, the tenderness in his eyes was like a vast ocean, inviting one to lose themselves in its profound affection and sweetness. Isabella stood frozen, as though each breath was painful. The wedding unfolding before her was one she had dreamed about innumerable times. 72.91% 1324 Chapter 5 1288 Vouchers The man before her had disclosed a harsh truth to her just ten minutes earlier. Yet, here she was, compelled to watch their joyous moment firsthand. It was truly ironic. Isabella inhaled deeply and began to walk away. Just then, the host announced, "Now, let's welcome the bridesmaids to the stage to offer their congratulations to the newlyweds!"