Chapter 212

“Alexander, speak! Think carefully. In the past month, did Isabella ever truly love you? Was her intention to marry you even real?”

All eyes focused on Alexander.

Kneeling, Alexander felt utterly humiliated and defeated. The moment he saw Isabella in her wedding dress, an absurd thought crossed his mind—he genuinely wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, to make her his real wife! Then Victoria showed up. He couldn't control his urges. Everything spiraled when Victoria hugged and kissed him. She kept professing her love, her pain.

“Just one more time. You’ll be married for at least a month after this. I won’t disturb you until then,” she had whispered.

He fell for it. He genuinely pitied her, wanted to comfort her. This one mistake ruined everything—his wedding, their reputations. What could he say now? What was left?

Alexander had never knelt before. Yet there he was, on the floor, punched by his father Victor. Publicly shamed in front of everyone. Including Isabella.

Seeing his silence, Margaret rushed forward and slapped him. “What are you doing? Speak! Apologize to Isabella! Beg for her forgiveness!”

“No need. Forgiveness doesn’t exist in my life. Not now, not ever. From this moment, I want nothing to do with them.” Isabella’s words were icy, final. She turned to leave. Her retreating figure was mesmerizing, yet cold and proud.

Realizing their ticket to wealth was walking away, Margaret shoved Alexander urgently. He instinctively stood, grabbing Isabella’s wrist. “Isabella, let me explain! What can I do to earn your forgiveness? Tell me. I’ll do anything to make this wedding happen. Anything.”

He spoke with desperate sincerity. Part of him truly didn’t want to let her go. He felt if he did, he’d never get her back. Also, it was better to pin the blame on Victoria. Their reputations were already tarnished. If Isabella forgave him, the public might move on. If she refused, they’d hate him, boycott him. He had to win her back, continue the ceremony.

Beside him, Victoria’s heart shattered. The man she loved was begging another woman right in front of her. He didn’t care about her feelings at all! She’d been slapped twice, yet he didn’t defend her. He didn’t want to confess their love. All he wanted was Isabella!

It drove her insane. She could no longer hold back. “Alexander, why are you begging her? Don’t you believe me either? Why would there be hidden cameras here? Why would she suddenly agree to marry you? It was all—”

“Enough!” Alexander cut her off furiously.

Lately, Isabella’s temper had softened. She’d given up many opportunities for him. So what if this was all Isabella’s plan? If Victoria hadn’t sought him out, hadn’t seduced him, why would he have done this on his wedding day? Victoria was useless. A constant disappointment. Alexander reached a conclusion. A final decision.