Chapter 1
Fifteen minutes later, Levin Martin pulled up, tires screeching.
“Really? We can get the license? You and me?”
His eyes barely hid his joy–and disbelief.
“Cut the crap. Got your ID?”
Levin muttered, “I dropped a 135–million deal to come here. Can’t even ask one question?”
But after we got the license, he kept staring at the paper.
“I really married you, Clarissa? You’re my wife now?”
Then he apologized, saying he had to head back and finish the deal, and told me to take a cab home.
While I waited for the car, Caelum pulled up with Vivienne.
“Get in.”
I tapped the bag holding the marriage license and opened the door.
“This is for you.”
He handed me a box. Inside was a silk scarf.
Caelum was always like this–after upsetting me, he’d give me a small gift.
Then we silently agreed to drop it, like nothing had happened.
Vivienne touched her handbag calmly.
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Then she glanced at the scarf in the box. It was just a freebie from the handbag.
I acted like I didn’t notice, like always, and set the gift box aside.
Vivienne smirked with a mocking smile.
“Where to?” I asked.
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Caelum looked at Vivienne with a soft gaze.
“Pick up a gift. Then we’ll go back to the Powell’s manor.
That was when I remembered–today was his grandfather, Ronald Powell’s, 80th birthday.
We had agreed to attend.
It’s just as well. I could say goodbye to Ronald.
In the rearview mirror, Caelum kept sneaking glances at me. Then, for once, he explained, “Clarissa, don’t overthink. Vivienne being pregnant alone… people will talk.
“If we raise the baby under our name, she can get married more easily in the future.”
I said flatly, “True. Out–of–wedlock pregnancies ruin reputations. No boyfriend makes it worse. Best to raise the baby under your name.”
Vivienne’s face turned purple with anger. She snapped, “You…”
Caelum corrected me, “Under our name,”
Then looked at me, full of hope.
I let out a cold laugh. “And if I say no?”
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Chapter 1
His face darkened instantly.
“Then we break up.”
“Fine,” I said.
His face eased slightly.
But my “fine” meant break up.
He must’ve misunderstood.
Then he said, “See, Clare? If you’d been this obedient earlier, we’d have the license by now.”
I didn’t answer. I just stared out the window at the rushing scenery.
Like our three–year relationship, flying away from me.
Vivienne was the same age as Caelum. She was adopted by Ronald.
She was always the thorn between us.
When we dated, Caelum brought her along.
When we ate, she was there.
Even in the house we lived in, she had a room.
I brought it up many times. He’d always say, “She’s my aunt. What do you want me to do?”
They grew up together. Their bond ran deep.
Every time he said that, I’d drop it.
But Vivienne never knew her place, always acting overly close to him.
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When they got out to pick up the gift, she purposely held onto his arm.
From the back, they looked just like a couple.
And I stayed in the car–like an outsider.
That was how it had been for three years. Like I was the third wheel.
But it took me two years to win him over. No way I’m letting him go.
He knew that. That was why he kept leaving me at the City Hall.
As I drifted through the memories, my phone rang. It was Levin.
“Honey, I signed the deal. But I have to meet clients tonight. Might be home late.
“I’ll call you when I’m done.”
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