Chapter 689: I Do

Chapter 689: Chapter 689: I Do

Since he’d put it that way, Claire Sinclair knew better than to press the issue. She would just have to go along with his decision.

The wedding ceremony officially began.

Lucas Rhodes, seated in his wheelchair, held Ivy Tanner’s left hand in his right. With him sitting and her standing, they moved in sync as they came in from outside.

Ivy Tanner wore a snow-white wedding gown, her hair styled in a bun. A transparent veil concealed her exquisite face but didn’t obstruct her vision, merely casting a hazy filter over the world.

She no longer resembled the simpleton she once was, her gaze no longer darting about aimlessly. Instead, she kept her eyes fixed intently ahead.

She was the very picture of a blissful bride; no one would have thought her to be simple-minded.

Lucas Rhodes had also been looking straight ahead, but as he neared Adrian Quincy, his gaze involuntarily drifted toward him.

Ever since Adrian had rejected him all those years ago, this was their first official reunion—and it was at his own wedding.

For the sake of this silent reunion, he had sacrificed his own marriage, making his stance clear: no matter what decision Adrian made, he would support him.

The red carpet was long, and to Ivy Tanner, it felt as if she had been walking for an eternity.

Her eyes happened to fall upon Ethan Kingsley, who was standing to the side in a daze. She froze for a second before naturally averting her gaze.

Ethan Kingsley’s hands were clenched into unnatural fists. A voice of protest was screaming to be let out from within him, but he couldn’t quite make out what it was saying.

Finally, they reached the priest. Ivy Tanner obediently lowered her head, listening to the priest’s recitation. She still felt a sense of resistance in her heart, an obstacle she just couldn’t overcome.

’Am I really going to marry this man?’

She began to doubt herself, getting bogged down in indecision, but finally, she managed to persuade herself.

’A simpleton never has the right to choose. So be it.’

When they reached the crucial part of the ceremony, she heard the priest ask, "Miss Ivy Tanner, do you take Mr. Lucas Rhodes to be your husband and enter into the contract of marriage? Will you love him, care for him, respect him, and accept him, in sickness and in health, or for any other reason, and be forever faithful to him, until death do you part?"

Ivy Tanner smiled, a tragic beauty reflected in the depths of her eyes, and slowly replied, "I do."

After saying this, she subconsciously glanced at Ethan Kingsley, who was standing in the front row.

His face was dark and he showed no reaction, but it was clear that his expression was anything but happy.

’Today is my wedding, so why does he have to look so grim?’

’Can’t you just give me one smile? Just so I can finally let go of all hope...’

This pitiful thought surfaced in Ivy Tanner’s mind, but she didn’t dare voice it.

The priest then turned to Lucas Rhodes. "Mr. Lucas Rhodes, do you take Miss Ivy Tanner to be your wife and enter into the contract of marriage? Will you love her, care for her, respect her, and accept her, in sickness and in health, or for any other reason, and be forever faithful to her, until death do you part?"

Lucas Rhodes nodded calmly. "I do."

With both parties having consented, it was time to exchange the rings.

Lucas first placed the ring on his wife’s finger. Noticing that she seemed distracted, he gave her palm a firm squeeze.

Ivy Tanner was jolted back to her senses. She lowered her head to meet his gaze and offered him a smile.

Finally, it was Ivy Tanner’s turn to place the ring on her husband’s finger. This time, she didn’t dare let her mind wander, carefully and deliberately sliding the ring onto his finger as she secretly made a resolution in her heart.

’From this day forward, once I walk out that door, there will be nothing between me and Ethan Kingsley anymore.’

-

After the wedding ceremony concluded, it was time for the reception. The guests moved to the banquet hall.

On the way, Ethan Kingsley excused himself to go to the restroom, telling Corinne Linden to go on ahead without him.

Corinne Linden found their assigned seats and sat down. After waiting for what felt like ages, her fiancé still hadn’t shown up. Growing anxious, she quickly sent him a text: "Ethan, why aren’t you back yet?"