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"The answer is yours, right?" he says grudgingly. "But let me believe that you wouldn't agree to go to that wedding if that happens."

He finally takes his car keys and leaves the house.

"The answer is mine, but you want me to do what you say," I think internally.

I finish washing the dishes in the kitchen, then go to shower and get ready to go out with Isabella. Once I'm ready, I call John so we can leave.

Isabella sent me the address of the place where we would meet, and after several minutes of travel, I arrived at the restaurant where she was already waiting for me. John opens the door for me and after thanking him, I enter the lovely restaurant where I can see Bella sitting at one of the tables in the back.

Before I even reach her, she notices my presence and stands up to hug me as we get closer.

"Hi, Julie, I'm glad you made it."

"Did you expect me not to come?" I question curiously.

"No, but you know, after everything that has happened... I was on the verge of canceling the wedding, Juliette."

"What?" I say astonished. "How... but I don't understand."

"I told you that I've had a lot of disagreements with Dave about Damien being present at our ceremony. I mean, I understand that he's his friend, but you're also my friend and after seeing what he did to you…"

"Bella, I don't want to be the cause of problems for you. I told you I could step down as the maid of honor and still be there for the wedding."

"No, Julie. I want it to be you."

"I have to tell you, Gérard isn't okay with the situation either. If Damien is released, he doesn't want him anywhere near him."

"And the truth is he has every right to feel that way," she admits. "But I don't want to force you, you know? If this causes problems with your fiancé, I don't know, I'll try my best to find someone else."

"Bella, I know you don't have your family here, so there's no way you'll find someone else. I'm your friend, and don't worry, I won't let you down, with or without Damien, okay?" I say, taking her hand.

"I love you so much," she replies nostalgically.

Before I can respond, a female figure appears at our table.

"Oh, Nora," Isabella says with a smile. "Juliette, she'll be the wedding planner."

"Pleasure to meet you, Juliette Moreau," I greet the elegant woman dressed in a suit, standing up to shake her hand. "Wow, your perfume is quite strong."

I make a face of dislike, which I try to hide with a smile.

"That's strange, I only applied a little bit of lotion," the newcomer says curiously, looking at me intently. "Are you... pregnant?"

I open my eyes in surprise at her words. Has she gone crazy? What kind of question is that?

"I'm not," I shake my head, and she raises both eyebrows, not entirely convinced.

"Well, it's still a pleasure to meet you, Miss Moreau," she says after a few seconds.

"She could also help you with your wedding to Gérard," Isabella says excitedly.

"It's not a bad idea," I say with a slightly tense smile, as the woman continues to look at me as if I'm hiding something.

"I'm at your service," her smile is genuine, and I can't quite understand why I'm repelled by her scent and her meddlesome attitude.

Maybe it's because the topic of having a baby is too painful for me, and I don't want to get my hopes up. 

So, I push those thoughts aside and focus on listening to the planner, who has completely turned her attention to the future bride, Isabella.

I try to get out of my gloomy thoughts and pay closer attention to what the women in front of me are talking about in order to follow their conversation.

"Well, I drew from many of the things we discussed over video call to bring you some ideas that might fascinate you," the wedding planner explains. "You told me you wanted an outdoor wedding, and there are fantastic places in Toulouse. I'll show you some."

She shows her tablet, Nora and Isabella chat excitedly about everything related to what she wants for the wedding, while we wait for the food. Excitement and contentment are evident in their eyes.

Minutes pass and after a while the waiter appears with our dishes. I'm not very hungry, so I ordered a small chocolate cake. Isabella ordered an artisanal pizza and Nora got pasta.

"Here's your garlic bread accompaniment, miss," the waiter indicates upon returning, also bringing the drinks.

However, as the smell of garlic reaches my nostrils, strong nausea overcomes me, causing me to suppress the urge to vomit.

"God, I think they put too much garlic on the bread," I mutter under my breath, trying to conceal my expressions of disgust.

"What are you saying? That's its normal smell," Isabella retorts, to which I deny, trying to overlook it.

Luckily, the delicious taste of the chocolate cake helps me ignore that awful garlic smell and before I know it, I finish it and end up ordering another one, which I devour in no time.

"Wow, if you eat so much of that dessert, it must taste really good," Isabella says, looking at me in amazement.

"Yeah, want to try some?"

"To be honest, I'm not a big fan of chocolate."

"I doubt you won't like this, you have to taste it."

"Only if you have a bit of the garlic bread."

"No, absolutely not," I immediately refuse, and at that moment, Nora raises an eyebrow, giving me a suspicious look.

"Come on, Julie, try it."

"No, Bella."

"If you want me to try the chocolate dessert, you have to try the bread."

"Isabella."

"And it's not negotiable."

"Fine, but just a small bite," I agree, passing her my dessert.

I take one of the bread pieces from the plate and just as I bring it close to my mouth, the nausea returns, causing me to gag.

"God, I can't," I reply, quickly moving it away from me.

"Julie, it was a deal. Look, I had a piece of the cake, now it's your turn."

"I really can't. It's disgusting."

"Just a nibble," she insists.

Without any other choice, holding my nose so I don't smell it, I take a small bite of the bread and it doesn't take long for everything in my stomach to churn, making me feel a liquid rising up my throat.