Chapter 1

I had agreed to meet my boyfriend Marcus at City Hall to register our marriage, but he never showed up.

I called him---no answer.

I texted him---no response.

Finally, I had no choice but to call his childhood sweetheart Lily. Marcus finally picked up.

"Emma, can you stop being so annoying? Lily twisted her ankle, and I need to take care of her today. We'll reschedule getting our marriage certificate."

I bit my lip lightly. "Including this time, you've already rescheduled seven times."

"So what? Lily needs me to massage her foot. I'm hanging up!"

My face remained expressionless, but my heart felt like it was being stabbed.

The staff member asked sympathetically if I still wanted to proceed.

I nodded and pulled out my phone to call my best friend Maya's brother, who was a race car driver.

"That fake marriage you proposed---I agree."

Marcus always explained that he only saw his childhood sweetheart Lily as a little sister.

But just now on the phone, I clearly heard their abnormal rhythmic sounds.

I could even vaguely hear Lily's suppressed moans.

While I was still in a daze, my best friend Maya's brother, Ethan Chase, arrived.

He rode in on a flashy motorcycle.

The moment he took off his helmet and walked in, he immediately attracted quite a bit of attention.

Ethan walked straight up to me and sat in the chair beside me, crossing his legs casually, smiling playfully as he spoke.

"Changed your mind? You agree to fake marry me to deal with family pressure?"

I nodded lightly.

Actually, it wasn't just about dealing with family pressure.

The most important reason for this marriage was to give my grandfather peace of mind before he passed.

Six months ago, my grandfather's health had deteriorated rapidly.

He stayed in the hospital every day, and each time he saw me, he would ask when I was getting married.

He wanted to see me in a wedding dress.

He wanted to see me enter the halls of matrimony.

He said that way, even when he was gone, there would still be someone to love me.

So six months ago, I started urging Marcus to get married.

I'd come to City Hall seven times intermittently, but each time ended in failure for various reasons.

Last time, it was because Lily got her period and was in so much pain that Marcus had to go home and rub her stomach.

The time before that, Lily lost her keys and couldn't get home, so he had to go let her in.

The time before that, Lily was hungry and wanted donuts, so he had to rush to a trendy shop to wait in line.

All seven times, it was because of Lily.

Each time, Marcus abandoned me without a second thought.

The ironic part was, I gave him seven chances.

Yet he wasn't even willing to spare me the time to take one photo.

Actually this time, when Marcus left, I wasn't too devastated.

Perhaps I'd gotten used to it, or perhaps I'd expected it all along.

It's just that my mind suddenly flashed back to what my grandfather told me a while ago.

"Emma, I'm afraid I don't have much time left. I might not see you in your wedding dress, but even if you're alone in the future, you must live bravely. Don't let people bully you."

I promised my grandfather I would be brave.

So this time, I won't keep compromising.

Marcus, I gave you a chance.

Seven chances, in fact.

Registering the marriage with Ethan went smoothly.

Just as Ethan and I were about to take our marriage photo, my phone suddenly buzzed.

Marcus had sent a message.

"Emma, don't be mad. I really couldn't get away this time, but I already made your favorite food at home. Waiting for you to come back~"

Ethan glanced over at me, raised an eyebrow, and asked.

"Still want to continue?"

I took a deep breath and said expressionlessly.

"Continue!"

Hearing this, he smiled, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me closer to him.

"Then get closer. We're taking a photo now. My bride, smile."

Our arms pressed tightly together with almost no gap between them.

His pleasant aftershave scent invaded my senses.

I couldn't help but blush.

After completing the marriage registration, I walked out of City Hall holding our marriage certificate.

Before leaving, I turned to Ethan.

"Are you free tomorrow? There's something I'd like you to come with me to."

Ethan straddled his motorcycle with his long legs.

"Call me if you need anything. In a couple days, I might need you to help me out with my parents too."

With that, he rode off.

I felt like fate was unpredictable.

My seven-year relationship with Marcus, from college until now, ultimately didn't make it to the end.

Yet I married my best friend's brother after meeting him only once.

On the way back, Marcus sent me another message with an attached photo.

The dining table was densely covered with delicious dishes.

"Why aren't you back yet? The food's ready. If you come too late, it'll be gone!"