Chapter 1146:

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Elianna fell silent, her gaze trembling faintly, leaving the question unanswered. When she lifted her head, her eyes unexpectedly met Jaxton’s from across the room.

At the entrance of the chapel, Kasen took in the scene of guests clapping and offering well wishes before glancing at Hayes beside him.

Hayes remained still in the shadowed corner, eyes fixed on Noelle in her white gown standing before the priest with Ethan, watching as she kissed him in full view of the crowd, the glow of happiness evident in her expression. Seconds ticked by before Hayes looked away. Slowly, he brought his hands together in applause, adding his own quiet blessing.

Kasen froze for a moment, startled by the sight.

𝖳h𝖾 𝗺𝘰ѕ𝗍 𝗽оp𝘶𝗅ar 𝗇𝗈𝘷𝗲𝘭s оn 𝗴а𝗹n𝗈𝘷𝘦𝗅ѕ.𝗰𝘰m

Soon after, Hayes slipped silently from the chapel. Kasen cast one look back at the lively celebration before hurrying after him. “Mr. Mendoza, where are we headed?”

Hayes lifted his face toward the bright sun above, a memory flashing of the day he had first met Noelle. The warmth today was just as brilliant as it had been then. But now, Noelle was no longer at his side.

In the still air, a subdued, muffled cough broke the quiet.

Kasen’s face tensed at the sound. “Mr. Mendoza, your health…”

Hayes gave a slight shake of the head, his eyes narrowing against the sunlight before shifting back. “To Isley Apartment.”

Kasen hesitated at the name—a place overseas where Hayes and Noelle had once lived together. After her departure, Hayes had forbidden anyone to alter a single thing within its walls. Every piece of furniture, every trace of décor, remained as it had been when she left.

Why, then, did Hayes wish to go there now?

Watching his solitary figure, Kasen felt as if Hayes had entombed himself within the brief span of time he had once shared with Noelle.

As Noelle tossed the bouquet into the air, a cluster of women gathered below, their excitement crackling through the crowd. Through the symphony of cheers and laughter, the bouquet sailed straight into Elianna’s waiting arms.

Hailey nearly bounced off her feet, clapping her hands together. “Elianna! You’re destined for endless joy and happiness!”

Elianna’s face lit up like sunshine as she cradled the bouquet. “Wow, I’ve captured some of Noelle’s magical luck.”

From across the room, Jaxton observed the celebration, an almost imperceptible tenderness softening his typically defiant expression.

The moment shifted when Gilmore appeared at Elianna’s side, practically attached to her hip, and Jaxton’s brief tenderness evaporated into sharp irritation. He wondered why Gilmore had to hover around her like a persistent shadow.

Meanwhile, Debby stood engaged in conversation with Noelle and Ethan when she glanced down to discover an unwelcome wine stain spreading across her dress. She excused herself and hurried toward the restroom to tackle the stubborn stain.

After scrubbing away the worst of the damage, Debby emerged from the restroom, still fussing with her dress, when she collided with someone’s solid frame.

“I’m so sorry,” she blurted out, her words tumbling over each other.

A heartbeat later, a man’s deep, rumbling chuckle drifted down from above her.

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