Chapter 1

Charlie's POV

I noticed my phone screen lighting up and realized that I received a reply within 30 seconds of sending the message. It was a very simple reply—three words long. "Wait for me."

I stared at it for a few seconds before turning off my phone. I then looked at the electronic board in the hall that was still displaying our ticket number—A027—and the red text flashing repeatedly below it. "Please go to Counter 3."

Yvonne Sharp, my fiancee, helped Aaron Sutton, her stepbrother, to a bench and crouched before him. "Does it still hurt? Do you think you can still walk, Aaron?"

Aaron was pale as he reached out and grabbed her sleeve. "I'm fine, Yvonne. I can bear with it, so go register your marriage with Charlie first. I wouldn't want you to hold things up on my account…"

He had told her to go, but he still swayed toward her side anyway.

Yvonne supported him immediately. "You're clearly in pain, so stop acting so tough."

Dad quickly walked over, leaned in, and asked, "Is it cramping or a burning sensation, Aaron? I have some standard stomach medications in my car. I'll get Emily to grab them so that you can take one. I'll keep you company while you rest here."

Emily Chester, my cousin, had already taken the car keys and hurried out.

Aaron shook his head and said, "It's alright, Brandon. I've had stomach problems for years, so over-the-counter medications won't do anything. It might actually get worse if I take the wrong medication."

Dad was a doctor, so he easily picked up on Aaron's excuse. He remained patient and said, "It's just medication to protect your stomach lining. It won't worsen the condition.

"If you're really uneasy about it, I'll take you to the hospital right now. Charlie and Yvonne are almost done with the registration, so they should head inside first."

Aaron's face paled as he asked softly, "Do you think I did this on purpose today, Brandon? I really had no intention of delaying their marriage registration."

He tried to stand up using the seat for support as soon as he spoke, only for his knees to buckle. He dropped back onto the bench, where Yvonne caught him before he fell further.

Yvonne's expression instantly turned cold. "Do you not see how much pain Aaron is in right now? Please stop pushing him already, Brandon."

Dad was stunned. "I was only trying to find a way to help."

"He's been afraid of hospitals since he was a child, so it won't help if someone else goes with him," Yvonne stated matter-of-factly, acting as if she were the only person in Aaron's life.