Chapter 10

So, it was Isabelle who broke up with Sean. Hearing that, I felt a bit pleased. "I was planning to finish my surgery first and then tell Isabelle the truth, but I ended up going abroad under the circumstances of our breakup. Who knew my condition would worsen? I spent a full two years being treated overseas before I recovered, and then three more years studying, which finally allowed you to slip in!" Finally, it all made sense. I finally understood why Isabelle had felt so unsettled. She thought her first love had abandoned her when in reality, he had gone abroad for treatment. As his girlfriend, she hadn't supported him during his illness, nor had she comforted him when he was leaving for treatment. Instead, she had been sulking and angry. Knowing the truth, she must feel guilty and regretful. It was completely normal. "Are you done?" Sean looked at me seriously and said, "Isabelle and I didn't break up because we didn't have feelings for each other. We broke up because of unavoidable circumstances. I haven't gone a day without thinking about her in the past five years, so I'm not going to let her go." "Is that so?" I laughed. So, after all that talk, that was the main point. "Let her go? You seem to be mistaken. Isabelle and I are about to get married. As an ex, don't you think you're putting yourself on too high a pedestal?" I wasn't begging Isabelle to marry me. She was the one desperately pleading for me not to leave her. "If you have no other nonsense to spout, I need to get back to work." With that, I stood up. Sean quickly called after me, "Wait a minute! There's something I need to tell you. I've officially joined Haltford International. So, the next time you pick up Isabelle after work and see me, don't be too surprised." Haltford International was the company Isabelle worked for. I couldn't believe he even got a job there. No wonder she seemed so anxious the day I dropped her off at the office. She had deliberately kept this from me. A large hand landed on my shoulder as Sean smiled slightly, "Thanks for looking after Isabelle these past three years, but you won't need to anymore." With that, he turned and left. I took a deep breath and turned around, but a waiter called out to me, "Hello, your total is 628 dollars. Please settle the bill." I was left speechless. The whole afternoon at work, I couldn't concentrate. My mind kept wandering back to why Isabelle had hidden the fact that she was working with Sean. If she truly had nothing to feel guilty about, why not just say it? When we had lunch the previous day, she had lied to me, claiming it was a chance encounter when, in fact, they had left the office together. Eventually, I called Isabelle. As soon as she answered, I heard Sean's voice on the other end. "Hello? Looking for Isabelle?" I was momentarily taken aback. After a moment of silence, I said, "Put her on." "She's in the restroom. Why don't you call back in a bit?" Just as he finished speaking, I heard Isabelle's voice, "Sean, who called me?" Sean replied, "Bryce." She quickly grabbed the phone and cautiously said, "Bryce?" I suddenly laughed. "Isabelle, do you think I'm so foolish? That you can just play with me?" "Bryce, what are you talking about?" "How much longer do you plan to deceive me? Is Sean your colleague? You two already planned to have lunch together yesterday. I was just the third wheel you picked up on the way. The restaurant you chose wasn't for me. It was for reminiscing with Sean." With each word, my disappointment grew. "I don't want to watch your little performance anymore. I'll come to see you at 8:00 pm tonight, and you can give me back the ring. We'll cut ties for good." "Bryce, I'm at work right now. I don't have time to explain. I'll come find you after I get off. Please don't rush; there's a reason for all this." "There's no need to explain anything." With that, I hung up. She kept pushing my limits, and this time, I wouldn't compromise. After work that afternoon, I spotted Isabelle right after I stepped outside. Our colleagues who passed by exchanged knowing smiles and envious glances at us. "You're really lucky for having such a beautiful girlfriend, Bryce!" It was good luck, alright. The kind of luck that came with being cuckolded. I didn't respond and simply led Isabelle to my car. As soon as we got in, I was about to say something when Isabelle cut in first. "Let's register our marriage tomorrow." I was stunned, looking at her in disbelief. "Register our marriage?" Just three days ago, she wouldn't even agree to a proposal, and now she suddenly wanted to get married? "Yes! I want to marry you, Bryce. If I didn't love you, why would I want to marry you? I want to show you my feelings this way." Just before seeing her, I had resolved to cut ties with her. At that moment, I felt my resolve waver. Once she married me, there would be no chance for her and Sean to reconcile. Given Sean's character, he definitely wouldn't be able to accept being someone's secret lover. I gripped the steering wheel. I had so many things to say, but I was suddenly unable to say anything. "Isabelle, are you really willing to marry me?" To be honest, I didn't fully understand her or feel certain about her. I recalled what I'd heard that night at the bar and turned to her, asking, "Is it because you love me, and not just because I'm doing well for myself?" "Of course not!" She answered confidently. "You are doing well, but if I were only after that, I could find someone better than you. I'm capable of that, right?" That was true. With her looks and figure, if she were just after money, she could find plenty of wealthy but unattractive bosses. I took a deep breath, "Okay, let's register our marriage tomorrow." This truly was the last chance. I took her to the restaurant I had booked earlier, and we had dinner together, chatting about what might happen after we got married, both of us feeling excited and amused. This was the life I wanted, something simple and sweet. After dinner, she was getting ready to head home when I took her hand. "Isabelle, why don't you come to my place tonight?" She froze. The intention of my invitation was quite clear. We had been together for three years. I didn't want it to just be a title. If she truly loved me, she shouldn't refuse me any longer. She seemed to understand my intention and hesitated for a moment before getting into my car. When we got home, I pushed her against the door. Three years of waiting had made me frantic with desire. I loved her—her intelligence, her kindness, her alluring face, and her beautiful figure. She wrapped her arms around my neck and welcomed me, everything felt so natural. Just as my hands found their way to her waist, she suddenly grabbed my wrist. "Bryce, can we wait until tomorrow? I'm not prepared at all. I'm just too shy. After we register our marriage, I'll give myself to you tomorrow night, okay?" My voice was hoarse as I held her waist firmly. "Isabelle, there's really no difference between today and tomorrow." She leaned in close, playfully saying in my ear, "Bryce, just wait a little longer. I promise I won't refuse you again tomorrow. I love you."