All Chapters of Love, Lies, and I Do: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

Denver slept deeply, undisturbed, as the rain tapped steadily against the window. He hugged his sweet-smelling pillow, stirring occasionally with the thunder clapping outside. But the sound of thunder became oddly persistent, awakening him out of his sleep. It was constant banging or thumping toward the front of the house. He squeezed his eyes shut, hoping to block out the noise, grabbed his pillow over his head, and tried to ignore it. But the loud, constant rumbling and banging wouldn’t stop; it sounded more like someone urgently knocking on his front door than just thunder.He creaks one eye open, agitatedly ruffling his already disheveled hair. Sitting up in bed, trying to make sure it's not his imagination. He clearly heard the loud sound again. “Thump, thump, thump!”He creaks one eye open, agitatedly ruffling his already disheveled hair. Sitting up in bed, trying to make sure it's not his imagination. He clearly heard the loud sound again. “Thump, thump, thump!”Denver rubbed h

Denver didn’t sleep at all last night. He tossed and turned, his mind racing, replaying the moment he looked up and saw India’s eyes locked on his. He’d never seen that kind of intensity in anyone before. It was as if she was daring him to say no, daring him to jump with her into the unknown.“I’m suggesting we get married.”Her words echoed in his mind. Marriage. That word had always meant something sacred to him, not some kind of game, fake or real. His parents were the gold standard, together for almost 40 years and still holding hands at the movies.But India wasn’t talking about love or forever. For her, this was about taking a stand in the only way she knew how: refusing to let Marcus win again, reclaiming dignity after months of feeling powerless. She wanted to show her family that, at twenty-six years old, she’s not some dumb kid, a reckless teenager, or a self-destructive young adult. It was time to be a woman. And she’d vowed to herself and her family that she would start ma

But India’s voice was fierce as she cut him off. “Marcus! I know you cheated on me. But did you lie to this woman to steal her from your best friend, who you said was like a brother, family to you?”Marcus’s shoulders slumped. His eyes flicked to Denver, desperate for mercy. “It was a mistake. I never meant for any of this.”Vanessa let out a brittle laugh. “You meant it enough to lie. You meant it enough to keep him in the dark and your fiancée, while stealing me from him.”Denver clenched his fists. “You told me you were happy that I had finally found someone to love, Marcus. You lied. Is there anything about you that’s real?”“Denver, I—” Marcus started, but the words faltered, guilt choking him.India stepped back, her dress whispering against the floor. “How long, Marcus? How many women have you been cheating with on me? How many lies have you told us?”Marcus’s voice was raw, pleading. “India, I love you. I do. Vanessa was hurt, and I was trying to console her when I became weak