Chapter 2

The last time we tried to get married, Roxie lost her cat. Simon stayed with her all night to find her cat, and he overslept the next day. Every time that happened, Roxie would be the first to say, "You don't need to do this with me, Simon."

After that, Simon would tell me, "Roxie had always had insecurities since she was young. You need to be more understanding of her."

I had been understanding 26 times.

Molly came running back very quickly with the medication and some warm water. "I've got the medication, Roxie."

"You'll need to rest for 10 minutes after taking it, Roxie. I'll stay with you here. The timing will be just right after Simon and Elena get their marriage certificate," said my mother.

Roxie looked at the medication in front of her but did not reach out for it. After a few seconds, she lowered her head. "It's fine. I won't take it. Every time I get nervous, I'll throw up. Simon is the only one who knows how to take care of me."

After that, Roxie looked at me and said in a small and trembling voice, "You won't get mad at me, will you, Elena? You've been together for eight years.

“Your feelings for each other won't change even if you postpone just one more day of getting your marriage certificate."

Simon patted her back. "Stop imagining things. Elena would never blame you for something like this."

I looked back at him. "Simon, are you aware that this is the 27th time we've tried to get married?"

"Yes, I know."

"You should also know how much time and effort we've spent to prepare for this day."

Simon looked slightly annoyed. "Elena, Roxie is sick. Are you really telling me a piece of paper is more important right now?"

I was taken aback.

The electronic board flashed once more. "A027, please head to Counter 3 for confirmation."

It was 3:35 PM. We had another 25 minutes left, and I clenched my ID in my hand while looking calmly at Simon. "If we can't make the cutoff time before 4 PM, I won't marry you anymore."

Simon's face fell. "Are you threatening me, Elena?"

Before I could reply, Roxie covered her mouth suddenly and retched several times. Molly tried to give her the medication, but Roxie quickly pushed it away. "I'm sorry. I'm feeling nauseous right now."

The cup of water was smacked out of Molly's hand, and the warm water splashed all over Simon. Roxie quickly took out some tissues to try to wipe him dry as her tears started falling at the same time. "Have I given you trouble again, Simon?"

Simon held her trembling hand. "No, you didn't. Stop imagining things."

My mother could not take it any longer. "It's fine if you don't want the medication. I've already called a taxi. I'll accompany you to the hospital, and Simon can rush over after he and Elena get their marriage certificate. It won't take more than 20 minutes."

Roxie looked up with tears brimming in her eyes, and she said softly, "I get carsick whenever I'm in a stranger's car."

My mother tried her best to be patient as she explained, "Let me take a look at your medical records. I'm a doctor. I can take good care of you."

Roxie bit her lip and said nothing. She made it look like all of us were bullying her, and it worked as Simon shielded her behind him. "That's enough. Roxie is feeling sick right now. Is it necessary for all of you to take turns interrogating her?"

Molly lost her temper. "We're trying to solve the problem. She refuses to take the medication and won't let my aunt accompany her. We've already called a taxi, yet she still doesn't want to go to the hospital. What do you want us to do?"

Roxie's shoulders trembled slightly. "Molly, do you think I'm pretending to be sick? I'm just scared, and I'd like Simon to accompany me. That's all. Is it too much to ask for something so little?"

Simon's expression turned cold. "What else do you want when Roxie is practically begging for some compassion?"

Molly was speechless, while my mother clenched hard on the paper cup in her hand. I glanced at the electronic board. It was 3:38 PM, and the number A027 was still flashing. "There are another 22 minutes, Simon."

Simon pressed his fingers between his eyes, sounding tired. "I know, but postponing one day to get our marriage license doesn't mean I won't marry you. We've been together for eight years, Elena. Can't we overcome something so insignificant?"

Roxie leaned onto his shoulder and tried to advise me in a weak voice, "Don't be mad, Elena. You're the person Simon loves the most. I'm only borrowing him for a little while."

A little while? Roxie had borrowed him during my birthdays, our anniversaries, and 26 attempts at trying to get our marriage license. Now, she was borrowing him for the 27th time.

I looked at Simon. "Let me ask you one last time."