That achingly familiar voice sent Aria’s purse tumbling from suddenly numb fingers.[]
A tidal wave of memories crashed through her mind as tears spontaneously blurred her vision and spilled down her cheeks.]
Her knees weakened with overwhelming emotion, yet she couldn’t bring herself to turn around.[]
She feared this was just another cruel hallucination.[]
Throughout the years, she’d spotted countless strangers with his gait, his profile, his mannerisms. She’d heard dozens of voices with that same timber.[]
Initially, she’d chased after these phantom echoes, desperately hoping for a miracle, only to face repeated heartbreak.[]
Marcus was gone–how could he possibly materialize now, when she needed him most?[]
Unable to maintain her composure, she hastily wiped her tears and prepared to bolt.[]
–“The subtle sound of the car door unlocking froze her in place.[]
“Click-”
Someone was stepping out onto the pavement.[]
A distinctive scent–crisp mint with subtle cedarwood undertones–wafted toward her, unmistakably familiar.
Aria’s heart thundered against her ribs, her body suddenly leaden. She stood rooted to the spot, inc
That voice spoke again, this time infused with unmistakable warmth and just a hint of playfulness:
“Aria Sterling, aren’t you even going to look at me after all this time?“]]
of
moving a single muscle.
The tears she’d tried to contain escaped in earnest. She dropped everything–purse, jacket, phone–and whirled around, trembling with anticipation.]]
Marcus Cole stood before her, just as she remembered.[]
Tall, athletic, radiating quiet confidence.[]
Backlit by morning sunlight, he stood amid the bustling courtho for her.
crowd, arms extended in that familiar welcoming gesture that had always been meant only
“Marcus!”
The spring breeze lifted her hair as she sprinted across the courtyard, past blooming magnolias and manicured lawns, tears streaming freely as she launched herself into his waiting embrace.[]
She studied his beloved face with reverent fingers, as if verifying a priceless masterpiece, tracing every contour with trembling hands.
The strong jawline, straight nose, expressive lips, and that tiny scar near his left eyebrow from a childhood misadventure.[]
Everything confirmed this miracle–this was truly her Marcus.
“How is this… I don’t understand…” Aria whispered, overd beyond coherent thought.||
Pure, untainted joy threatened to short–circuit her reason as she nestled deeper into his embrace, rediscovering the security she’d thought forever lost.[]
Suddenly, the intimidating world seemed manageable again.[]
She could face her parents‘ manipulation, Ryan’s cruelty, all of it–because standing before her was the one person who had never betrayed her trust, her entire universe distilled into human form.]
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart… for letting you suffer alone all this time. I’ve got a hell of a story to tell you, but can it wait until we’re home?“]
Marcus’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, betraying deep emotion.[]
After these long, agonizing years, the woman in his arms had grown even more beautiful, but her once vibrant eyes had lost their sparkle–that lively light that
My Ex Planned His Wedding On My Death Day?!
200.09
Chapter 10
had initially drawn him to her.
She resembled a perfectly preserved rose with its lifeline cruelly severed.[]
She’d lost so much weight.]
Marcus cradled her protectively, tenderly brushing his lips against her forehead.[]
The barriers between them had finally collapsed. They could openly walk hand–in–hand, building the life they’d always envisioned together.[]
“I don’t care about explanations, as long as you’re really here… These past three years, you haunted my every thought. Even with my eyes closed, I’d replay our college memories on endless loop. Those fragments of happiness were all that kept me functioning through this nightmare. But now everything’s changing for the better. You won’t vanish again, will you?”
Aria buried her face against his chest, unable to stem her tears. She savored the feeling of his gentle fingers stroking her hair, grounding her in reality.[]
Even now, part of her feared she’d awakened in another beautiful dream, doomed to shatter with the morning light.]
“Let’s head home. I’ve got something special to show you.”
Marcus took her hand and guided her to the waiting car, its engine purring to life as onlookers watched with undisguised curiosity.
Ryan witnessed the entire scene, too shell–shocked to intervene.[]
The tightness in his chest exploded into full–blown constriction. He struggled to breathe through the sudden pressure.
Sharp, unexpected pain radiated through his body, accompanied by a cocktail of regret and bewilderment.[]
Hadn’t he despised Aria from day one? Wasn’t this divorce his ticket to happiness?
So why did watching her embrace another man with such naked adoration feel like someone had ripped out something vital inside him?]
The divorce certificate in Ryan’s hand crumpled unconsciously into a worthless ball.[]
Sophia observed his trance–like state with dawning realization–that stupid ice queen apparently held more significance than she’d calculated.[]
A flash of genuine fear crossed her features.]]
“Ryan, baby, let’s head back. I’ll brew your favorite single–origin coffee.“]
But instead of his usual attentiveness, Ryan remained frozen, staring intently at the departing Rolls–Royce, his expression unreadable beneath the storm brewing in his eyes.
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