Chapter 7

Jasmine's call came in at that very moment.

Nicholas helped Quinn up. He rejected the call after giving it a glance.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier, Quinn? I'll bring you to the hospital at once!" His phone rang again as soon as he spoke.

The shrill ringing of the ringtone pierced through their ears, and Nicholas rejected the call once again.

"I'm fine, there's no need to go to the hospital. I'll be alright after some rest—" Before Quinn could finish speaking, she saw his phone lighting up again.

She pushed his hands away and said, "Just take the call. It might be something urgent from the company."

"Sit down and rest for a bit then, Quinn." Nicholas helped Quinn over to the couch before walking over to the side to take the call.

However, gone was his usual gentle tone. He spoke coldly, "What's wrong? Why are you calling me relentlessly? I've already made arrangements for the best doctors and caretakers for your father. You don't have to be so worried."

It was Jasmine again.

Quinn leaned against the couch and closed her eyes, exhausted.

Nicholas soon ended the call and returned to her side to take care of her.

…

Nicholas did not go to the company for the next few days. He stayed at home to prepare for the wedding.

Quinn's gaze darkened as she watched him clutching onto her custom-made wedding dress, twirling happily before her.

"I'm so happy, Quinn. Tomorrow's the day I finally get to marry you!" he exclaimed.

Looking at Nicholas' smiling face, her gaze inadvertently landed on the wedding dress.

She had received a video just three hours ago. In that video, Jasmine was wearing the same wedding dress, her arms intimately wrapped around him.

"Get some rest early tonight, Quinn," Nicholas said.

Quinn pretended to fall asleep, noticing the way he had slipped out. She knew he was saving the night of his wedding eve for Jasmine.

She quietly got up and began packing her few important belongings. She did not take a single gift Nicholas had gifted her all these years.

After that, she quietly waited until dawn broke. She then headed to the wedding venue.

Most of the guests had arrived. Quinn stood by the entrance, swapping out her and Nicholas' wedding photo for one of him and Jasmine.

At that moment, Nicholas hurried down from the car. "I was late because of the bad traffic along the way, Quinn. Let's get changed now!"

Jasmine, who was dressed just like a bride, followed closely behind him. She met Quinn's gaze with a hint of provocation.

Nicholas, who was anxious and in a hurry, did not notice the wedding photo by the entrance.

He linked arms with Quinn and pulled her to the dressing room. While he was changing, she noticed the lovebites that even his thick foundation couldn't quite cover.

Nicholas asked, "Why aren't you getting changed yet, Quinn? The wedding is about to start."

Quinn smiled at him and shook her head. She said softly, "I'm not in a hurry."

Nicholas was distracted by her smile. Although she was smiling gently, he was somehow feeling uneasy deep down.

He only realized that Quinn was nowhere near ready once he was done getting ready.

Amidst Nicholas' confusion, she reached a hand out to him. He took her hand, and she brought him out.

Under the watchful eyes of many guests, Quinn let go of his hand to play the video.

Nicholas shyly turned around, yet he froze when he saw images of him and Jasmine on the screen.

Panicked, he looked at Quinn and was about to say something. She interrupted him and said, "I'm here as a friend to attend your wedding with Jasmine today."

Nicholas felt his knees go weak, almost collapsing to the ground. He finally understood why he had felt uneasy earlier.

Although Quinn had been smiling, her gaze was cold. She was looking at him as if looking at a stranger.

"What are you talking about, Quinn? Today is our wedding day!" Nicholas walked over to her and grabbed her arm, trying to make one last effort.

"No, today is your and Jasmine's wedding day." Quinn gestured for him to look at the invitation card and photos in the venue. Only then did he realize that Quinn's name and photos had been switched to Jasmine's.

Nicholas said, "That's impossible! Something's wrong… Quinn—"

However, his voice was covered by the recording played in the video. It was the conversation he had with Jasmine on the day of his engagement.

"You're the only one for me even if I marry her, Jasmine," came his voice.

Nicholas' mind went blank that very moment. He realized that Quinn had known about everything from the start.

Glancing at Quinn, who was in front of him, he tightly gripped her arm. Only one thought remained in his head—he couldn't let her leave.

She pushed his hand away. With a calm and gentle smile, she said, "We're done, Nicholas. I wish you a happy marriage with Jasmine."