Chapter 3

I tilted my head in confusion and asked:

"Why do you keep badmouthing her?"

"I'm very happy now. Shouldn't you be happy for me?"

"Why do you keep cursing me?"

I looked at him coldly, and the atmosphere dropped to freezing.

Seeing I wouldn't break up, Marcus's chest heaved violently with anger.

His eyes reddened as he glared at me through gritted teeth.

"Lucas! I'll tell you the truth!"

"Isla and I already knew each other! We were already at the point of discussing marriage!"

"If I hadn't fought with her and broken up, do you think you'd have had a chance?"

"Isla only loves me. She married you just to make me jealous!"

"Otherwise, why would she only have a wedding ceremony with you---making it known to everyone---but not complete the legal registration? Isn't it just to make me jealous?"

Marcus spoke with such vivid detail that if I hadn't already signed the marriage certificate with Isla, I might have actually believed his lies.

Seeing I remained unmoved, Marcus pulled out that intimate video again.

He held it in front of me and said triumphantly:

"Look! This is proof we were together before!"

"We love each other so much. As long as I change my mind, she'll immediately dump you and throw herself into my arms!"

Hearing this, my expression instantly soured.

Before, I just thought Marcus was stupid, but now I found him disgusting!

I looked at him coldly and said flatly:

"Who doesn't have an embarrassing ex?"

"As long as she has me in her heart now, that's all that matters."

"Besides, if she'd really get back together with you over one sentence, then go ahead and find her yourself!"

"Why waste so much effort here telling me all this?"

I played along with his story, pretending I believed him.

Seeing I believed him, Marcus's expression softened somewhat.

He raised his eyebrows smugly and said:

"Fine! You said it yourself---don't you dare regret it!"

"Out of friendship, I wanted to convince you to bow out gracefully!"

"Since you don't know what's good for you, just wait to be kicked to the curb!"

With that, Marcus angrily turned and left.

That evening when Isla came home, she heard from the butler about what happened during the day and hugged me with a wronged expression.

"Baby~ I swear, from beginning to end, I've only had you. I only love you alone."

"I don't know why your friend would say such things. I haven't done anything to betray you!"

She anxiously tried to prove her innocence, nearly in tears from frustration.

I reached out and stroked her head, comforting her with a smile:

"Of course I believe my wife~"

"That guy just can't stand seeing me happy. He deliberately wants to break us up."

I buried my head in her shoulder and said softly:

"Isla, you have to promise me too---no matter what happens in the future, you'll believe me, okay?"

"Don't get to know me through other people's words. If there's a problem, ask me directly, okay?"

In my past life, I fell precisely because of the issue of trust.

If I'd trusted Isla just a bit more, perhaps the ending wouldn't have been like that.

This time I didn't fall for Marcus's trap, but there's no guarantee he won't try to manipulate Isla instead.

Hearing my words, Isla nodded firmly and raised her hand to swear to me.

"I, Isla, swear to trust Lucas and cherish Lucas for a lifetime!"