Chapter 371

As the wedding went on, Isabella linked arms with Jasper and strolled in from the church door, while Joseph watched with a mix of excitement and happiness.

"I can't believe you managed to fall asleep during the wedding march," Avery Davis's voice jolted Joseph awake.

Joseph blinked, wiped the drool from his mouth, and looked at Avery sheepishly. "Avery, when did you get back?"

Avery rolled her eyes. "Just now. I heard the wedding march and thought someone in the family was getting hitched, but nope, it's just you, snoozing away."

Joseph scratched his head, feeling awkward.

Avery plopped down across from him, laughing. "So, who were you dreaming about? Spill the beans, maybe I know her."

Joseph shook his head. "No way, if I tell you, you'll definitely blab. I'm not sharing my embarrassing secrets."

"It's normal to like someone, but you think it's embarrassing. So, she doesn't like you back?" Avery's curiosity was piqued, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Joseph sighed and shook his head. "I don't know if she likes me, but I know for sure her family doesn't."

Avery frowned. "Who wouldn't like you? You're good-looking and talented. Is it someone from one of the big families? Who in her family disapproves?"

"Her husband," Joseph said with a sigh.

Avery slumped on the sofa, rubbing her face. "You're seriously crushing on a married woman? Who is she?"

Joseph shook his head. "I can't say. It might mess up your relationship."

Avery paused, then looked at him in shock. "Wait, are you saying I know her? There aren't many married women around me that you could like. Who is it?"

Avery frowned, thinking hard. A married woman she knew well, and Joseph knew her too, narrowing down the options.

"Is it Isabella?" Avery asked hesitantly.

Joseph's silence was all the confirmation she needed.

Avery slapped her forehead, grabbed a cushion from the sofa, and threw it at him. "Are you kidding me? Isabella's been married for less than a year and is still in the honeymoon phase. Do you really want to be her husband's rival right now?"

Joseph hugged the cushion, looking at Avery hopefully. "So, are you saying I should wait a couple of years?"

"My advice is to give up! I don't see any hope for you," Avery said, pulling out her phone and scrolling through her social media.

"Check this out, Isabella posted today. She and her husband are on a trip to Lumaria with friends. Look how happy she is! She's still in the honeymoon phase. You don't stand a chance, so just let it go," Avery told Joseph.

But Joseph was fixated on something else.

"Seriously? How come you have her social account and I don't?" Joseph snatched Avery's phone, fuming.

Avery looked at him, surprised. "You don't have Isabella's social account? What do you have then?"

"Just her phone number," Joseph said with a bitter smile, handing back the phone.

Avery gave him a sympathetic look. "That says a lot. Isabella doesn't love you."

"I'm not giving up. If Dad hadn't sent me abroad to study, John wouldn't have had a chance with her! I've been secretly in love with Isabella for over a decade!" Joseph said earnestly.

Avery was at a loss for words. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Joseph get up from the sofa and head towards his room.

"Where are you going? Lunch?" Avery called after him.

Joseph shook his head. "I'm going to confess my love to Isabella. Even if she rejects me, I want her to know she has a choice if her marriage hits a rough patch."

Avery was stunned. "Are you out of your mind? Are you trying to be a homewrecker? Don't you think this is despicable and undignified?"

Joseph turned around, smiling gently. "No, Avery, you don't get it. This is love."

"This is not love! You'll be scorned for this!" Avery tried to stop him, but he ran out of the house, not even grabbing his luggage.

"Joseph, you idiot, come back here!" Avery shouted at the door, but Joseph had already driven off towards the airport.

Avery sighed and pulled out her phone to call Isabella.

The phone rang twice before Isabella picked up.

"Avery, it's rare for you to call. What's up?" Isabella asked.

Avery was about to speak when she heard a loud noise on Isabella's end, like an airplane taking off.

"Are you at the airport? I think I hear airplane engines," Avery asked, surprised.

Isabella nodded. "Yeah, we came here to take wedding photos and travel for a few days. It's time to head back; my company has some matters waiting for me."

A smile tugged at Avery's lips.

"I just wanted to ask if you could come car shopping with me when you get back? I'm planning to buy a car but don't want to go alone," Avery said with a smile.

'Poor Joseph, traveling abroad alone!' Avery laughed inwardly.