Chapter 1

On the day we were supposed to get married at City Hall, I booked the very first slot, wanting to be the first couple of the day.

Jason showed up a whole hour late.

Just as I was about to lose my temper, my best friend, Sierra, popped her head out of his passenger seat, offering an apologetic smile:

"I'm so sorry, Chloe. Jason made a detour to pick me up, which took a little time."

"But come on, you guys are tying the knot! I just had to be here to witness it!"

I gritted my teeth and swallowed my rage, having no choice but to pull a new ticket.

Finally, our number came up.

Just as I took Jason’s arm to stand, Sierra blurted out:

"Wait! My stomach hurts so bad, I need to use the bathroom. Grab a later ticket and wait for me!"

Jason sank right back into his chair and smiled at her:

"Go ahead. I'll definitely wait for you."

My face fell, and I reminded him firmly:

"Jason, we can't wait. The clerk's office closes at eleven-thirty for lunch. We only have an hour left, and we have a wedding dress fitting booked at noon."

Without even looking up, Jason scrolled through his phone, annoyed:

"What's the rush? Signing the papers takes three minutes tops."

His screen was on, displaying a limited-edition necklace he’d just purchased for Sierra.

A necklace I had begged him for multiple times, only for him to claim it was always sold out.

A bitter laugh escaped me. Instead of arguing, I dialed my longtime rival’s number.

"Didn't you say you're madly in love with me? City Hall closes morning registrations at eleven-thirty."

"If you can make it, I’ll marry you."

Silence hung on the line for a second, followed by his low, husky chuckle.

"I'm on my way!"

I hung up and sat back down beside Jason.

He was still scrolling, casually handing me a new queue ticket:

"I pulled another number. Five couples ahead of us. Sierra just texted me saying she’s almost done."

"Relax, we have plenty of time."

I opened my mouth, but Sierra was already hurrying back from the restroom, dropping right into the seat next to Jason.

She leaned against him, craning her neck to peek at the ticket in my hand.

"Is it our turn? How many couples are left?"

I glanced instinctively at Jason.

He didn't pull away; instead, he casually rested his arm around Sierra’s waist to steady her.

"Ugh, still that many?"

"Jason, let’s play a round on mobile. Waiting like this is so boring."

I cut in.

"Jason, don't. Didn't you say signing takes three minutes?"

"There are only three couples ahead. We're up next."

Sierra, however, had already launched the game on her phone, flashing the screen at me with a playful smirk:

"Chloe, you don’t game, so you wouldn't know. A match is super fast. It won't hold you guys up."

She nudged Jason:

"Hurry, hop on!"

Jason nodded, dismissing me carelessly:

"Stop making a mountain out of a molehill. It's just a signature. Just listen for the number and call me when it's time."

With that, their heads huddled together, phone speakers buzzing with combat sounds.

Watching how close they were, my chest ached with dull resentment.

I said nothing more, only crushing the slip of paper in my palm tighter and tighter.

Less than twenty minutes later, the automated voice echoed through the lobby:

[Now serving Ticket Number 9 at Window 3 for marriage registration.]

I tugged at Jason’s sleeve.

"It's our turn. Let's go."

His eyes remained glued to the screen, though he stood up half-heartedly.

"Fine, my match is almost over anyway."

Sierra instantly piped up, yanking him back into his seat.

"Not yet! Jason, focus!"

"Sit down and finish it. They call each number three times anyway. It won’t kill you to wait two minutes. I refuse to lose this rank!"

Jason made a move to sit back down.

My face darkened completely, my voice laced with venom:

"Jason, what's more important? Getting married, or your damn game?"

Catching my tone, Jason finally glanced up at me.

Yet he still sank into the chair, chuckling dismissively:

"Why are you making such a scene? It'll take two seconds."

"Besides, Sierra is your best friend. She asked me nicely, how could I just bail on her?"

The automated voice called again:

[Now serving Ticket Number 9 at Window 3 for marriage registration.]

Fed up, I snatched Jason’s phone right out of his hand, snapping:

"Stop playing. Come with me right now!"

Jason rose sluggishly, scowling at me:

"It's just a game, I don't get why you're having a tantrum."

"Fine, let's go."

The final call sounded over the speaker:

[Final call for Ticket Number 9 at Window 3 for marriage registration.]

Before we even took two steps, Sierra cried out, clinging to Jason's arm as her knees buckled:

"My foot! It's cramping so bad!"

"Jason, it hurts!"

Without a second thought, Jason spun around, dropped to one knee, pulled off her heel, and began gently massaging her ankle.

I stood frozen in place, watching them, suddenly finding it tragically hilarious.

Until the speaker chimed once more:

[Now serving Ticket Number 10 at Window 3 for marriage registration.]

Skipped. Again.