Chapter 1The Wedding Day Swap

On the day we were supposed to get our marriage license, Xavier suddenly demanded that I take legal responsibility for his aunt's unborn child.

"My aunt is pregnant out of wedlock, and it would ruin her reputation. Put the child under your name, and we'll raise it as our own."

When I refused, Xavier dropped a bombshell:

"We'll get married when you agree!"

He left me at the courthouse, striding away without looking back.

This was the ninth time our marriage registration had failed because of his aunt.

Did he think I would wait for him like I always did?

I looked down at my phone and saw a notification from a friend's post:

"The girl I love most is marrying someone else today. Heartbroken!"

I sent him a message: "Want to get married? I'm at the courthouse, waiting for you. Now."

* * *

Fifteen minutes later, Liam roared up in his car.

"Really? We can get married? You and me?"

His eyes couldn't hide the secret joy and disbelief.

"Cut the crap. Did you bring your ID?"

Liam muttered under his breath:

"I dropped an eight-hundred-million-dollar contract signing to come here, can't I ask one question?"

But after getting the license, he stared at the little red book repeatedly:

"I really married you, Serena? You're my wife now?"

Then he apologetically told me he had to go back to finish signing the contract and asked me to take a taxi home.

While waiting for a cab, Xavier pulled up in front of me with his aunt, Felicity.

"Get in."

I pressed the bag containing my marriage certificate and opened the car door.

"For you."

He handed me a box. Inside was a silk scarf.

Xavier was always like this. After upsetting me, he would give me a small gift.

Then we would tacitly never mention the unhappy incident again, and it would pass.

Xavier's aunt, Felicity, subtly touched the bag beside her.

Looking at the scarf in the box again, I realized it was just a free gift that came with her bag.

I pretended not to notice, as usual, and put the gift box aside.

Felicity curled her lips into a mocking smile.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

Xavier looked at his aunt tenderly:

"Picking up a gift, then heading to the old family mansion."

I remembered then, today was Xavier's grandfather's eightieth birthday.

We had agreed to go long ago.

It was good to go today, to say goodbye to Old Man Xie.

Through the rearview mirror, Xavier looked at my face cautiously and explained for the first time ever:

"Serena, don't overthink it. Auntie being pregnant alone will cause gossip."

"Raising the child under our names will make it easier for her to marry in the future."

I said indifferently:

"Indeed, being an unwed mother is bad for reputation. Not even having a boyfriend makes it look cheap. Raising it under your name is best."

Hearing my words, Felicity's face turned purple with anger. She turned around and said, "You..."

Xavier corrected me: "It's raising it under our names."

Then he looked at me expectantly.

I sneered: "What if I'm not willing?"

Xavier's face darkened instantly:

"If you're not willing, we break up."

I said "Okay."

Seeing Xavier's face relax.

My "Okay" meant breaking up.

He must have misunderstood.

He continued:

"See, Serena, if you were this obedient earlier, we would have gotten the certificate already."

I didn't answer, just watching the scenery fly backward outside the window.

Just like our three-year relationship, flying away from me.

Felicity and Xavier were the same age; she was the adopted daughter of his grandfather.

And she was the thorn in our relationship.

On dates, Xavier would bring her.

At meals, Xavier would bring her.

Even the house we lived in together had a room for her.

I complained many times, but Xavier always said:

"She's my aunt, what are you thinking?"

Xavier and his aunt grew up together and were very close.

Every time he said this, I would back down.

But Felicity seemed to lack boundaries, always deliberately showing intimacy with him.

They got out to pick up the gift together, and Felicity specifically linked arms with him.

From behind, they really looked like a couple.

And I was left alone in the car, like an outsider.

For almost three years, it had been like this. I felt like the third wheel.

But I spent two years chasing Xavier and couldn't bear to let go.

He knew my psychology, which is why he abandoned me at the courthouse time and again.

Lost in memories, my phone rang. It was Liam:

"Wifey, finished signing the contract, but I have to entertain clients tonight, so I'll be back late. Eat well by yourself."

"I'll contact you when I'm done."