Chapter 1118

Chapter 1118 You Deserve Happiness

"I know I owe you a great deal," he admitted, a self-deprecating chuckle escaping him. "That's why I've been desperately seeking chances to make it right, to erase your pain and bring you joy."

"I stubbornly clung to the belief that since your affection for me ran deep, your happiness hinged solely on our relationship. I thought only I could bring you joy. I stubbornly held onto the notion that you loved me for me, not because of my kidney. But I was wrong." His stoic façade cracked, revealing the despair lurking beneath.

"Lucy." He lifted his gaze, locking eyes with the woman he had once desired day and night. "I apologize for everything my family and sister have done. It's on me. I failed to handle things properly. I failed to shield you and care for you... and our child. It's all my fault."

"In truth... I've wanted to apologize to you for a long time." With that admission, he mustered a bitter smile. "I'm sorry, Lucy."

The man's words pierced Lucy's heart. Her heart constricted painfully as if a giant hand was squeezing her heart viciously. Despite how badly she had fallen out with Lennon, he still stood as a towering, noble figure in her heart. Yet, at that vulnerable moment, he seemed unbelievably obscure. He was the man she loved...

She loved him. Perhaps she initially had feelings for him because of his kidney, but after that... she willingly fell for him, bore his child, and desired to be with him.

Four years prior, after that traumatic incident, she convinced herself she despised him. However, as she saw him apologizing to her, she came to a realization. All her resentment stemmed from her love for him. It was because she still loved him that she couldn't bear to witness him humbling himself. She couldn't bear to see him in such a pitiful state. She would prefer that he remain callous and indifferent than see him in this vulnerable position... apologizing to her before everyone.

Suppressing her tears, Lucy summoned the strength to rein in her emotions. After a brief pause, she walked past Colin's protective stance with determined strides. With a sharp smack echoing through the room, her palm met Lennon's cheek. "Consider this slap the debt you owed me," she declared, recoiling from the stinging sensation on her hand. "From now on, we owe each other nothing. Today is my wedding day, and I have no desire to prolong this argument with you. Leave."

Lennon lifted his face, marked by her handprint, and nodded solemnly. "Alright." Slowly, he rose, unsteady on his feet, and silently nodded to Colin. "Please take care of her," he murmured. Finally, he turned to Lucy, despair etched in his expression. "I wish you nothing but happiness."

"I..." Lennon started, then cut himself off with a bitter chuckle. "Forget it. I apologize that your first boyfriend was such a terrible man. You deserve to be happy." With Lucy's tear-filled eyes locked on him, Lennon turned and quietly left the church.

"I'll go check on him," Damien murmured to Cherise before standing up to follow Lennon.

As Lennon departed, the wedding festivities resumed. The hall filled with joyous music, and the priest's smile widened as he pronounced the couple husband and wife. Rings were exchanged, cake was cut, champagne was popped... The atmosphere buzzed with liveliness and celebration as if the solemn intrusion that had just passed had never happened.

In a bar near the church, Damien poured a shot of strong liquor and slid it across the table to Lennon. "Have a drink?" he offered. Lennon shook his head firmly. "It might help you unwind."

"Drinking will only make me throw up. It won't change a thing," Lennon replied, surprisingly calm. He lowered his head, a wry smile playing on his lips. "How absurd..."