Chapter 5

When I returned to Alex's apartment, I found Selena was there too.

She wore a light beige silk loungewear set, her long hair loosely pinned up. Alex sat on the single sofa beside her, holding a document, apparently speaking to her in low tones.

"Isabella, you're back. Alex was just talking about you." Selena saw me and offered a gentle smile.

Alex set down the document, his gaze falling on me, his brow furrowing almost imperceptibly. "Why did it take so long?"

"A bit of traffic." I set down my handbag, didn't change my shoes, and walked straight to the sofa across from them to sit down.

Selena gently adjusted the position of a throw pillow. "Alex arranged a VIP suite for me on the top floor. I'm planning to check into the hospital for bed rest starting next month."

"What a thoughtful arrangement." I replied offhandedly, then turned my gaze to Alex. "You said there was something important to discuss?"

"The wedding planner contacted me urgently this morning. He said he received your unilateral notice canceling all wedding preparations."

"Isabella, I think we need to talk. About this matter—why didn't I receive any prior communication from you?"

Finally.

I met his gaze, my tone flat. "Oh? So this kind of thing requires prior communication?"

His frown deepened. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is," I said slowly, "I thought between us, notification was sufficient. Just like you notified me that Selena needed a child."

The gentle smile on Selena's face stiffened slightly.

Alex's face showed the offense of being affronted. "These two matters are completely different in nature! How can you be so reckless, unilaterally canceling everything?"

Different in nature?

Ten years. What exactly had I been clinging to?

A person who would never hear my voice. A relationship that would never be equal.

Enough.

"How is it different?" I asked. "Is it because this is your wedding, so it matters? Or because it concerns the Norston family's reputation, so it requires discussion?"

His gaze darkened. "Isabella."

"You shouldn't have acted unilaterally on something this significant." He finally said it, his tone carrying restrained anger. "The media, the family, the foundation... do you know how much impact this will cause?"

I nodded. "I do."

"Then why—"

"Canceling was for your sake." I casually offered a lie. "Because I thought it over. Since you need to spend time with Selena right now, let's not have some wedding of the century."

Alex's expression relaxed slightly.

"We'll have a new ceremony." I said. "Everything simplified. Small scale. Just family and a few necessary witnesses. That way you won't be tied down by all the procedures and will have more time to be with her."

Alex stared at me, as if confirming he hadn't misheard.

Selena was stunned too. Her lips parted slightly, a flash of wariness passing through her eyes.

Just how humble did one have to be to make concessions to this degree?

This was how Isabella had behaved for ten years.

I was simply playing her role one last time.

Then, when everyone thought everything was normal, I would make my exit.

"You've... come around?" Alex sounded uncertain.

"I have." I said. "I don't want to make things difficult for you anymore."

His tone noticeably softened. "Isabella, I knew you would understand—"

"Of course." I cut him off, still gentle. "I've always understood."

Selena's fingertips unconsciously gripped the edge of her compact case tighter. "Isabella, you're truly... so kind."

"Then we'll keep everything simple." Alex's furrowed brow relaxed. "We can discuss the specific details with the planner again. Keep it... low-key and proper."

"Alright." I stood up, not wanting to look at the subtle expressions on their faces any longer. "You two continue chatting. I'm going back to my room. A bit tired."

This time, Alex didn't stop me. He just nodded.

Yes.

This wedding would indeed be simplified.

Simple enough that even the bride would be absent.

The stage was set. The actors each harbored their own agendas.

And the only person who knew how the script ended was quietly packing her bags, preparing to leave this absurd production for good.