Chapter 30
“Do you want to know something?“Charles suddenly spoke “When I was a kid,my parents brought me to the City Hall to register my household information I saw a newlywed couple taking pictures outside My mom told me it was the most important moment of their lives.”
I laughed lightly, “What your mom said was quite romantic.”
“She also said she hoped that one day I’d be standing next to the girl I love and take that same photo.
“So, the girl you’re standing next to now..is she the one you love?“?
I had meant it as a lighthearted tease,but to my surprise,Charles paused for a few seconds before quietly answering.“Yes”
My heartbeat was in turmoil and my fingers unconsciously gripped the milk cup tightly.X
He didn’t say anything more just took a small step closer to me.X
We filled out the paperwork and when our number was called,we walked into that tiny office together.
The staff flipped through our documents and asked, “Are you both marrying of your own free will?)
Charles looked at me and I looked back at him in perfect sync,we replied “Yes.”
The camera clicked and captured our smiling faces.
As we walked out of the City Hall, held the two little red marriage booklets in my hand.I glanced at the golden sunlight across the sky and, for the first time in a long time, felt truly at peace.
“We’re married,” said softly.
Charles stood beside me. With his long fingers,he gently took one of the books from my hand. “Yep. We’re officially husband and wife.” “It still feels kind of unreal.”
“So do you want to try calling mehusband?“%
I turned my head to look at him and he didn’t smile,just a soft light flowing under his eyes, look of seriousness and certainty
I clicked my tongue.” Could you be a little less eager?”
Tm afmid you’ll run away.”
I laughed despite myself. And this time didn’t brush it off in a soft voice,l called out, “Husband.”
Charles froze for a beat. Then he slowly looked down,opened the marriage certificate in his hand,stared at it for a second and then gently closed it.X
“This is good,” he said.“1 can finally love you openly”
I was at a loss for words. His affection wasn’t loud or showy but every word landed deep in my heart!
We didn’t make any big announcements that day.We just went to a small restaurant near our home and ordered truffle risotto, and sea salt coffee, which Charles loved
omy
favorite
Sunlight poured through the sheer curtains by the window I looked down at the two red books. I felt calm and certain.X
I used to think I’d never believe in love again but Charles in his own steady way, slowly pulled me out of the shadows.
Again and again he showed me that he was willing to exchange a lifetime of gentleness for the rest of his life.
Yes, we got married. And this time! am not anyone’s shadow,or a hidden lover.I wasn’t something to be kept in the dark.
I was Mrs. Watson,the one who was married formerly and treated with tendemess.
That nightafter a long day of work, Ken opened his phone in frustration. He was thinking of contacting me again when he saw a post on his feed.
“Emily’s wedding–official.”
Just one simple sentence, with a picture of Charles and me going to the City Hall to get a license
His breath hitched and his phone nearly fell to the ground.
He looked at the picture and read the short text word by word,as if his chest was being gripped hard by invisible hands.
She was really getting married. Not to him. To Charles
Ken had always believed that if he turned around, I’d still be standing there.X
However, had completely stepped out of their relationship that couldn’t go back to and ran off to a new life.
And he ended up losing more than he gained.!!
(The End)
