Everything had been arranged down to the last detail.
Put on makeup. Change into the dress. Be ready by four o'clock.
That was when Liam would come to pick her up in person.
Before leaving this morning, Liam had casually dropped a few instructions, then hurried out the door with Benjamin in tow.
The wedding was going to be a grand affair. Nearly every influential figure in the city had been invited.
For the first time, Liam had finally taken out the limited-edition white Maybach from the garage. A luxury car worth over two million—a gentleman's car, wasn't it?
For a man as proud and noble as Liam, ordinary luxury vehicles simply didn't catch his eye.
His style was completely different from Benjamin's.
Benjamin chased speed. Liam pursued quality.
On this matter, the two brothers had never seen eye to eye.
The only thing they shared in common? The cars they loved were all outrageously expensive.
Emma stood on the balcony, watching the distant Maybach disappear from view. Her heart began to race.
She had just finished a good breakfast. Why was she already getting nervous the moment Liam left?
Damn it.
She always turned timid at the critical moment.
But if she thought about it carefully, this was the biggest thing she had ever faced in her life so far.
She hadn't had any experience with her first marriage, had she?
Otherwise, why would she be this nervous?
Sigh. Come on. It's no big deal.
Wasn't it just a matter of walking down the red carpet with her eyes half-closed and drinking some old wine?
Emma comforted herself and walked into the bathroom.
Better take a bath and relax.
At the Taylor family villa.
Isabella had been rummaging through her closet since early morning. The noise woke Noah, who was still sleeping.
He slowly opened his eyes, turned his head, and looked at her with slight irritation. "It's just a wedding. And it's not even yours. There's no need to go overboard."
"What do you know? I heard there will be many prominent families there today. Now is the time for me to prove myself with my own strength." Isabella stared at her reflection in the mirror, her voice full of confidence.
"Are those people really that important to you? Has being with me made you feel wronged?" Seeing her like this, Noah grew more annoyed and spoke with sarcasm.
"Don't say that, Noah. Don't you know me? You're the only one in my heart..." Isabella dropped her clothes and lay across Noah's body through the quilt. "What about you? You have to say that I'm the only one in your heart, and there will never be any other woman."
"Childish. I'm right here, don't you believe me?" Noah's eyes flickered when he said that.
No matter how blind Isabella was, she could see it clearly. They had broken up some time ago. Their relationship had only recently eased, and they were back together. She didn't want to go back to square one.
A sense of unease began to rise in her heart. So Isabella probed, "Today, my cousin is getting married. Would you like to go with me?"
Noah hadn't heard those three words since the last time he had made things clear with Emma.
Emma was getting married.
Today, he finally learned the news.
But now, he didn't know how to face Emma. His heart was a mess of mixed emotions. "I... I'd better not go. She should be happy on her wedding day. If I go, I might make her feel uncomfortable." Noah turned over and slowly closed his eyes, avoiding Isabella's suspicious gaze.
"Alright, I'll go and come back early. Then we can watch a movie together." Isabella ran to the bathroom to wash up.
But at that moment, Noah, still lying in bed, could no longer hold back.
She hadn't mentioned those three words. Fortunately, he could try his best not to disturb Emma.
But now, Noah's mind was filled with only one thought: Emma was getting married.
It would be a lie to say he didn't love her or care anymore.
He could fool others, but he couldn't fool his own heart.
Noah reached out, picked up the phone from under his pillow, and hesitated for a long time.
He wanted to call and bless her, but he was afraid Emma would be very busy today and he would only delay her.
After much deliberation, Noah decided to send a text message instead.
He tossed and turned in bed alone, finally typing out a line on his phone:
[Emma, today is your big day. Congratulations! I'm just sorry I can't attend. Thank you for lighting up my life so warmly. In the end, you will marry someone else, but I still sincerely wish you happiness. I hope you will have no pain, no cheating, and no betrayal in your life. Happy wedding.]
After hesitating for a long time, Noah slowly pressed the send button.
What good did it do to be unwilling?
He had promised her he would not disturb her anymore. He would live his own life well.
Noah put down his phone, pulled his lips into a bitter smile, and gently closed his eyes.
Emma, this time... you must be happy.
This was his last wish.
It was also Noah's original dream.
He had once thought that the man who could bring Emma happiness was him.
But now, he and she were so far apart.
Up to now, Noah could only watch from a distance.
The wine he had drunk last night hadn't fully worn off. Noah didn't plan to get up, so he turned over and decided to sleep again.
About half an hour later, Isabella came out of the bathroom. She looked at Noah, who was still lying down. She opened her mouth but said nothing in the end.
Just then, his phone suddenly rang three times.
Who was it?
Who would send a text message to Noah so early in the morning?
Isabella walked to the bedside, puzzled, and bent down to pick up the phone.
From Emma?
Her bright eyes instantly dimmed. Suppressing the anger in her heart, she lit up the message:
[I know. Thank you for your blessing. No matter how hard life is, I will keep going with a smile. Just remember our agreement.]
The message wasn't long, but it seemed to carry a lot of meaning.
Isabella put the phone far away and sat by the bed, staring at Noah with dull eyes.
Agreement?
So that's what they talked about when they met that day?
What secrets were there between him and Emma?
Isabella laughed bitterly in her heart and couldn't help mocking herself. Look, Isabella. This is the surprise your beloved man has given you.
This is the cousin who said she would give Noah to me.
In the end, it's just that I was too stupid and naive to believe them.