All Chapters of Love, Lies, and I Do: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

111 Chapters

61 - Reminiscing On Lovers Getaway

Marcus leaned over and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek. His eyes were bright and mischievous. He kissed her again.He said, grinning. “Get dressed. We’re going on an adventure.”Vanessa squinted at him, half-laughing. “What kind of adventure?”Marcus pulled her gently toward him. “The kind where you marry me. Today. On this island.”Vanessa’s mouth dropped open. “Are you serious?”“Completely.” He pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “While you get dressed, I’ll do some research on the island.“Okay, I'll freshen up and get dressed.”While they were both getting dressed, Marcus says, “There’s the sweetest little chapel just up the hill. I don’t want to wait another day, Vanessa.”Her heart hammered in her chest as she stumbled to her suitcase—hands shaking with giddy excitement. She threw on a lovely spaghetti-strapped dress, ran a brush through her hair, and met Marcus by the door. He was already waiting, dressed in a crisp linen shirt, looking both nervous and thrilled.Th

62 - The Turning Point

Vanessa always thought the moment she’d get married would involve a white dress, her mother’s happy tears, and a room full of toasts and laughter. Instead, it happened on a sun-drenched afternoon on a lovely island, in a tiny stone chapel with only Marcus, a smiling priest, and the distant sound of waves crashing against the cliffs. It was nothing as she imagined, and somehow, it was perfect.But now, as the taxi rolled through the familiar streets of their city, Vanessa felt a nervous flutter in her stomach. The taxi driver glanced at the matching bands on their hands and grinned knowingly, but neither Marcus nor Vanessa said a word. They were both lost in thought, staring out the windows at the place they’d called home for years, now returning with a secret too big to hide.The first stop was Vanessa’s office. Her team had no idea she’d been away for more than a long weekend, let alone that she’d eloped. As she walked through the glass doors, her assistant Alicia looked up from her

63 -Breaking Point

Marcus strode through the revolving doors of the high-rise, the familiar hum of the lobby greeting him like an old friend. After weeks away, weeks filled with wedding bliss, blue ocean, sunsets, and the dizzying thrill of a secret marriage, he was back. But this time, he whistled as he walked, a lightness in his step that even the Monday morning crowd couldn’t dampen.He paused by the espresso bar, flashed a grin at the barista, and winked at two interns clustered by the elevators. He was a changed man on the outside, but his ambitions burned brighter than ever inside. Nothing in the office had changed. The same framed art on the walls, the same scent of lemon polish and brewing coffee, the same polite nods from colleagues as he passed. But Marcus’s plan was different now, bolder, sharper.He still intended to make his move for the CEO position. Denver, the current CEO, was a legend in the company, a mentor to many, and, once a friend to Marcus, who had been waiting for the right mome

64 - Whose side are you on?

Marcus barely remembered the drive home. The city lights blurred into streaks, his hands tight on the steering wheel, replaying every awkward moment from the boardroom, every stunned face, every word Denver had said. The elevator ride up to their apartment felt eternal. When he finally stepped inside, the familiar scent of sandalwood and vanilla did nothing to calm him.Vanessa was curled up on the sofa, a book in her lap, but she sat up as soon as she saw Marcus’s face. “Hey,” she said softly, concern flickering in her eyes. “You’re home late. How was your first day back?”He dropped his bag by the door and slumped next to her, rubbing his temples. For a moment, he didn’t speak. Then the words came tumbling out in a torrent.“It was a disaster, Ness. I walked into work thinking I was ready to take the next step. I set up a meeting with the board. I pitched myself for CEO. I had it all planned out. But then Denver walked in—right in the middle of my pitch. The look on his face… God, I

65 - She’s The Enemy

Vanessa’s heart dropped. She looked down at her coffee, swirling the foam with her spoon. “He did?”India nodded, her tone gentle. “He was pretty shaken. Marcus blindsided him in front of the board. Denver’s been replaying it in his head, trying to figure out where things went wrong.”Vanessa let out a breath, her shoulders slumping. “I’ve tried talking to Marcus. I thought our marriage would soften him. He’s still angry. Won’t really talk to me—it’s like he’s stuck in that moment.”India nodded. “Pretty stubborn. I know how stubborn those two can be. Denver’s the same way. He’s hurt, but he misses Marcus. I think he’d forgive him if Marcus would just talk to him.”Vanessa shook her head, her eyes stinging. “He’s convinced everyone’s against him. He even accused me of taking Denver’s side. I just want him to move past it so we can move on. I want my husband back. The man I married is really a great guy.”India smiled sympathetically. “Sometimes, Denver needs a nudge in the right direc

66 - Panic Mode

Vanessa waited until after dinner to bring it up. Marcus had been quieter than usual, picking at his food and staring out the window. The apartment was filled with the clatter of dishes and the gentle hum of the city outside, but inside Vanessa’s mind, there was only the nervous drumbeat of what she needed to say.They finished eating in near silence. Marcus cleared the plates and started washing up, sleeves rolled to his elbows. Vanessa dried the dishes, stealing glances at him as she worked up the nerve.“Marcus,” she said, her voice soft but steady, “I ran into India today.”He paused, hands submerged in suds, a skeptical eyebrow raised. “Denver’s India?”“Yeah.” Vanessa set a plate on the rack. “We had coffee. She saw the ring, and we talked. About a lot of things.”Marcus snorted. “Let me guess: Denver’s still upset with me.”“He’s hurt, Marcus. But that’s not all.” She hesitated, then met his gaze. “India told me something. Something I never knew. Denver… he was the reason we ev

67 - A New Alliance

Vanessa glanced down at her phone, grinning at the message from India. “Meet you by the fountain at noon! Don’t be late, or I’ll buy all the shoes.” Vanessa chuckled, tossing her phone into her bag and grabbing her sunglasses. Today was the day she and India would finally put their heads together—and maybe, just maybe, hatch a plan outrageous enough to reunite their stubborn mates.The mall was already buzzing with weekend shoppers by the time Vanessa arrived. She spotted India instantly—her friend’s unmistakable laugh ringing out from the other side of the fountain, where she stood waving, a cup of iced coffee in hand. India’s energy was infectious, her smile wide and genuine, and Vanessa felt a surge of excitement. It was funny to think that just a few weeks ago, they’d considered each other enemies, barely exchanging eye contact, and when they did, they had no polite words for each other. Now, they were partners in crime, united by a single, slightly desperate mission: get their ma

68 - The Suspicion and Betrayal

Vanessa lay sprawled across the bed, a soft, nostalgic smile playing on her lips as she scrolled through the camera roll on her phone. Her thumb paused over a photo of her and India at the mall, their faces pressed together, both mid-laugh, as if the camera had caught a private joke. There were more—from the lunch where they’d shared stories and secrets, to the day they’d dared each other to try bubble tea flavors neither could pronounce. Each picture was a snapshot of a friendship blossoming in the unlikeliest of circumstances.A faint mist curled out from under the bathroom door, the sound of running water a soothing backdrop. Vanessa set her phone down on the comforter, her mind drifting between memories and hopes. For a moment, everything felt peaceful. Safe.But peace, she’d learned, was always temporary.The bedroom door creaked open, and Marcus stepped in. He was fresh from his run, shirt clinging to his back, sweat darkening his hair at the temples. He glanced around for his w

69 - Extending An Olive Leaf

Denver sat at the long glass conference table, his fingers drumming in a slow rhythm against the polished surface. The boardroom was unusually quiet, sunlight streaming in through the floor-to-ceiling windows and casting restless shadows across the faces of the Board of Directors. There was no escaping the tension in the air—the kind that comes when difficult decisions have been made, and the only thing left is to see them through.At the head of the table, Ms. Avery, the CFO, cleared her throat. “We all agree, then. Buying Marcus out would be the most prudent financial decision. His salary alone is a drain on resources, especially given… recent performance.”There were muted nods. Denver glanced around the room, reading the discomfort in their eyes. Nobody wanted to say it outright, but everyone knew the truth: Marcus had checked out. Maybe not physically—he still showed up to the office most days—but his mind and heart were elsewhere. The company they’d built together, once a source

70 - Pride Before a Crash

Vanessa looks at the clock, wondering why Marcus hasn’t made it home from work yet. That’s when her phone buzzed insistently on the kitchen counter, jolting her out of her thoughts. She dried her hands hastily on a dish towel and reached for it, her heart skipping a beat when she saw the hospital’s name flash across the screen. For half a second, the world seemed to freeze. Then, in a rush, she answered."Mrs. Monroe? This is Mercy General. Your husband, Marcus, has been in a car accident. He’s conscious and stable, but we need you to come in."Vanessa’s legs nearly gave out. She barely remembered grabbing her keys or how she got to her car. The ride to the hospital was a blur of red lights and whispered prayers, her hands shaking so badly she could hardly steer. Images of Marcus—hurt, bleeding, alone—flashed through her mind. By the time she reached the emergency room, Vanessa was fighting back tears, her breath coming in shallow gasps.At the front desk, she barely choked out Marcus

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