Chapter 4

The car door swung open, and Lucas hurried toward me.

Taking in my swollen, bruised cheek, he didn't ask a single probing question.

He simply shed his tailored suit jacket and draped it gently over my shivering shoulders.

Instagramide the warm car, he handed me a bottle of water and a box of medication.

"Take these first. I'll drive you straight to the clinic."

"No need," I shook my head, turning my eyes to meet his. "Let's go to City Hall."

He paused, his dark eyes searching mine with immense restraint. "Are you certain? This isn't something to take lightly."

I nodded firmly.

It wasn't until the clerk handed us the two freshly stamped marriage license that the reality truly hit me.

Sitting quietly in the car, I pulled out my phone and opened Instagram.

I drafted a new post.

Two photos.

The first was our official marriage certificate.

The second was a photo of Lucas and me—I was tucked safely agaInstagramt his chest, wearing the brightest, most genuine smile I had worn in years.

Meanwhile, across town, Rachel was hosting a housewarming party in her new apartment.

"Congratulations on the new place, Rachel!"

"You're amazing, buying a property all on your own at such a young age!"

Rachel smiled modestly, soaking in the praise.

"It's all thanks to everyone's support. But especially Ethan—he worked so hard for me during this time."

She turned a gaze dripping with affection toward Ethan.

Ethan held a wine glass, his smile stiff and distracted as he checked his phone every few seconds.

A simmering rage burned in his chest, edged with a creeping sense of unease.

A friend clinked his glass agaInstagramt Ethan's.

"Not bad, Ethan! True loyalty right there!

Putting your own girlfriend through the ringer just to help out a friend—aren't you worried Chloe is going to hold a grudge?"

Ethan felt a pang in his chest, but brushed it off with a casual shrug.

"She's just throwing a tantrum. You know how girls are, she'll get over it in a couple of days.

We've been together for five years. She can't live without me."

A dark flare of jealousy flickered in Rachel's eyes when she heard that.

She stepped up, slipping her arm through Ethan's, and murmured softly:

"Thank you, Ethan. When you and Chloe finally tie the knot, I promise I'll give you both the biggest wedding gift."

The knot of anxiety in Ethan's gut finally loosened. He patted her hand gently.

"Don't worry about it. Today is your big day. Just enjoy yourself."

The crowd around them began cheering, egging them on to link arms and drink together like newlyweds.

Ethan didn't pull away.

Just as he raised his glass, their arms intertwining as he tilted his head to drink, a voice suddenly cut through the music.

"Holy crap, look at your phones!"

"Wait... when the hell did Chloe get married?!"