After six years of dating, Clarice Sterling and I finally reached the point of registering our marriage. So, we waited in line at the City Hall all morning, then it was finally our turn. However, a male student sponsored by Clarice suddenly appeared. “Clarice," he said. "Thank you for waiting all morning. Quick! Let’s go in.”

I froze as I watched him wrap his arm around Clarice’s waist.

Clarice said, “Baron White has been an orphan since childhood. He’s always longed for a family. I promised to give him one. However, don’t worry, it's just for four years. After he graduates from college, I’ll divorce him and marry you. We’ll spend the rest of our lives together.”

Then she added, "Besides, I’m only marrying him to keep a promise. The one I truly love is you.”

I kept my mouth shut and silently watched them walk intimately into the City Hall. Then I took out my phone and called Abigail Hampton, who had been chasing me for four years. "Abigail, I'm outside the City Hall and in need of someone to marry. So … are you in?"

——

“Stop joking around. It’s the middle of the night here overseas. I just finished working overtime and was about to sleep.” Abigail sounded utterly exhausted.

"Sorry to disturb you, but … I'm serious," I emphasized.

Abigail, who was at the other end of the phone, fell silent for a moment, then suddenly let out an excited scream, “Ah … I’ve finally waited for so long! Wait for me!”

Before I could say more, the call had already cut off.

“Who were you on the phone with?” Clarice, who had just come out of the City Hall with Baron’s arm around her, asked as she furrowed her brows.

As I scanned the marriage certificate in their hands, I pressed my lips together. A simple wedding registration book that I had dreamed of for six years was now easily earned by Baron because of a promise.

How ironic!

“I’m asking you a question!” Clarice’s frown deepened.

I casually replied, “It's just a friend.”

Clarice exhaled a sigh of relief, her tone softening, “I know you’re angry, but I promised Baron first. I can’t go back on my word, can I?”

I nodded. “I understand.”

However, just because I understood that did not mean I supported it and certainly did not mean I could accept it contentedly.

She would rather register a marriage with Baron because of a promise than marry me. Six years of love and dedication meant nothing to her.

Honestly, I’d rather she told me she fell in love with Baron. It would be much better than saying it was just a promise. The latter made me feel like a fool. It was so absurd, pathetic and lamentable.

Abigail once told me she could see from Clarice’s eyes that she didn’t love me. I didn’t believe her and even snapped at her. Now, I realized that she was right.

Those so-called six years of love and effort were just my wishful thinking because she never loved me.

Clarice reached for my hand and said, “Since you understand, let's come home with us.”

Us, huh?

I shook off Clarice's hand and hissed, "You’re mistaken. That’s my home, not yours.”

Hearing this, Clarice’s face turned stern instantly and she snapped, “Daniel, stop being childish.”

I’m being childish?

I laughed out of sheer anger. I had worked diligently and saved money to buy that wedding home, but now it had turned into someone else's house. What? What, am I supposed to be the sucker who foots the bill?

“Clarice, don’t be angry,” Baron tried to comfort her, then turned to me. “Daniel, you misunderstood Clarice. I didn’t mean to take over your home. I just want to feel the warmth of a family from her. I won’t ruin your relationship.”

I coldly retorted, “If you want to feel the warmth of a family, why not go call an older woman your mom? Oh, I get it … It's because no one wants to take you in as their cheap son, right?”

As soon as I said that, Baron’s face turned incredibly ugly.

“Enough!” Clarice snapped coldly. “Daniel Wellington, if you keep acting so sarcastic, I’ll only grow to hate you.”

Baron acted like the good guy again, first looking at me with a grievance and said sadly, “Daniel, you really misunderstood me.”

Then he lowered his head, turning to Clarice with a pitiful look, like he’d made a terrible mistake and said, “Clarice, don’t blame Daniel. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have said I’ve never felt the warmth of a family in front of you. Don’t blame him, blame me.”

Ugh! His act is so disgusting! I think l’m going to throw up. Why is a grown man acting like some delicate little flower?

However, Clarice trusted his act. She touched Baron's face affectionately and said gently, “It’s not your fault. This has nothing to do with you.”

When she turned to look at me, her face immediately became cold. “Daniel, I didn’t think you’d be so petty. Apologize to Baron, or we're not going to get married.”

I pointed at the marriage certificate in her hand and asked, “Didn’t you already marry Baron? Of course, we’re not going to get married. After all, bigamy is illegal.”

My words made Clarice freeze. She did not expect me to say that.

Baron frowned and scolded me, “Daniel, how can you say something like that? Some words, once spoken, can’t be taken back.”

I replied calmly, “I didn't say it out of anger. Since you’ve already registered your marriage with her, then I wish you both a long and happy life and may you have children soon.”

My attitude made Clarice truly angry. She yelled, "Daniel, you’ve gone too far.”

I’m too far? This is not even close to what you’ve done to me. However, I did not say it out loud.

“Clarice, Daniel is just angry. Let’s leave for now. We’ll talk later after he calms down," Baron said and he pulled Clarice away. I just looked at them as my mind drifted back to six years ago.

I first met Clarice at the freshman welcome party during our first year of college. She wore a bright stage outfit and sang “My Heart Will Go On" which captured my heart.

After that, I started pursuing her. Four years of college and two years after graduation, my entire world revolved around her. I lived only for her. Whether she was happy or sad, I was always the first to be by her side and I laughed and cried with her.

“True love is constant companionship" was the phrase that I always held on to. I believed if I loved her with all my heart, she would one day feel it.

For six years, I always smiled in front of her. No matter how hard things were at work or in life, I never let her see even a trace of my struggles. I always showed up in the best state, because I thought that’s what it meant to love someone.

When she told me she wanted us to have our own house before getting married, I did not protest. I just worked overtime until midnight every day and saved money bit by bit to buy a home, just to surprise her.

When she told me she wanted to sponsor a male college student, without hesitation, I handed over all my savings.

As long as it was something she wanted to do, I would do everything in my power to help.

Due to my full dedication and financial support, nothing burdened her mind and yet she gave all her attention to Baron. They went traveling everywhere, laughed and joked around.

Every time I saw them together, I felt awful. Before I could say anything, she would impatiently say, “Baron sees me as his big sister. So what if we’re a little playful? Don’t be so dirty-minded.”

Fine. I’m the one with a dirty mind. Baron only sees her as a sister and family. Yet she could marry him for a promise. Me? What am I, then?

I wiped my tears away and checked the message I’d just received from Abigail.

[I’m already on the plane. I’ll definitely make it before the City Hall closes today.]

I replied. [There is no need to rush. We’ll have plenty of time later.]

She replied. [No way. What if you change your mind after today?]

I smiled. [I wouldn’t change my mind.]

Everything that happened today made me see Clarice, myself and reality more clearly. It was a simple reality that Clarice and I were not in love.

I looked down at my clothes. I had bought this outfit specially for registering the marriage with Clarice. Now I plan to change to another. This was both a complete farewell to the past and a show of respect to Abigail.

When I got home, I saw Baron in pajamas sitting on the sofa and the sound of running water came from the bathroom.

A smile etched on his face as Baron greeted me, “Daniel, you’re back.”

I glanced at him coldly and walked straight toward the bedroom without a word. His voice called out behind me, “Clarice’s figure is amazing, Daniel. I’m really jealous of you.”

My steps halted. I turned back expressionlessly and said, “There's no need to be jealous. After all, she’s your wife now.”

Baron probably thought that saying that would provoke me, but he miscalculated.

Entering the bedroom, I immediately saw the messy bedsheets and the damp stains on them. I took a deep breath, stepped forward, grabbed the sheets and threw them on the floor, then opened the wardrobe to find clothes.

“Daniel, what’s that supposed to mean?” Clarice stood at the door, wearing a bathrobe and demanded coldly.

I replied calmly, “They are dirty things … I don’t want them.”

Clarice snapped, “Daniel, make yourself clear … who are you calling dirty?”

Baron ran over and held Clarice’s hand, then pleaded, “Clarice, don’t be mad. It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have said I was tired and lie on the bed. I’ll wash the bedsheets right away.”

As he spoke, he picked up the sheets and headed to the bathroom. Clarice stopped him and looked at me impatiently, “Daniel, have you made enough of a scene?”

“I know you’re upset and you’ve been holding it in, but my patience has limits." She added. "Apologize to Baron now and I can pretend none of this happened.”

I turned and looked her in the eyes. “Sorry … even if you can pretend nothing happened, I can’t.”

“You!” Clarice pointed at me. “Daniel, can’t you be more generous? I only gave Baron the feeling of family and fulfilled his lifelong wish. He’s been an orphan since he was young.  … This is just a small wish, can’t you show a bit of compassion?”

Ridiculous! What does the fact that he was an orphan from a young age have to do with me? I’m not his dad.

“In that case, you and him should move out. Won’t it feel even more like a family if you stay together?” I sneered.

“Are you kicking me out?” Clarice was stunned.

I clarified, “I'm not kicking you out. I'm just giving you two your newlywed world. Besides, it’s improper for a married couple to stay in someone else’s home, isn’t it?”

“I hope by the time I’m back, you two have already moved out. Otherwise, don’t blame me for calling the police and reporting you for trespassing.”

With that, I didn’t even glance at them again. I changed clothes and left.

At five o'clock in the afternoon, I met Abigail in front of the City Hall. 

“Hubby, I’m here!” She ran and threw herself into my arms.

I froze and asked, “Hubby?”

“Of course. We’re about to get a marriage certificate, so you’re my hubby.” She said it like it was the most natural thing, then looked at me nervously, “You’re not having second thoughts, are you?”

I chuckled. “Of course not.”

We walked into the City Hall together and smoothly completed the registration.

Abigail said, “Honey, I need to catch a flight tonight. There’s still work to do at the office. Once it’s done, I’ll come back and stay with you forever.”

I smiled and nodded.

Abigail left but didn’t take the marriage certificates. I took the certificate, snapped a photo and posted it to my Twitter.

I wrote: [I finally got the marriage certificate! I'm so happy!]

It was not even a minute later that Clarice called and yelled in rage, “Daniel, who did you register with? Who was it? How could you betray me?”