Chapter 3

"Are you coming with me to Counter 3, or are you leaving behind to accompany Roxie?"

A dark look flashed in Simon's eyes. "Are you really trying to force me to make a choice when Roxie is sick, Elena?"

I nodded without arguing further. "Fine. Do whatever you want, but I'll be getting my marriage certificate today."

At 3:42 PM, my father arrived from the parking lot with some exquisite chocolates as our wedding favors for friends and family. When he arrived at the lobby, he saw Simon on one knee by the bench and his hand on Roxie's waist. His footsteps slowed down when he saw me standing in front of the counter alone, clutching my ID.

"What's with the delay?"

Molly was trying her best not to lose her temper as she told my father what happened. All my father did was ask Simon a question without even looking at Roxie.

"We've got all our documents, and the counter is waiting for both of you. Can't you spend 10 minutes getting the marriage license and take your sister to the hospital after that?"

Simon got up. "Roxie isn't feeling well, Mr. Whitford. We can get the marriage license any time, but her illness can't wait."

My father stared at him for several seconds. "I didn't say a word when you postponed this the first time, and I even told Elena to be more understanding of you when you postponed it for the 10th time, but it's the 27th time today."

He did not raise his voice, but the lobby gradually quietened. "What makes you think that Elena will always be waiting for you?"

Simon became upset. "I won't let her keep waiting for me. Once Roxie's condition stabilizes, I'll arrange for another appointment, and I'll make it up to her."

My father suddenly laughed. "Do you think she needs you to make anything up to her? What she needs is for you to stand by her side today."

Roxie tried to stand up by holding on to the back of the chair as tears brimmed in her eyes. "Please don't be mad at Simon, Mr. Whitford. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have tagged along. I'll leave right now. I promise I won't withhold them from getting their marriage license, even if I pass out on the streets."

She staggered the moment she took a step forward, and Simon quickly grabbed her in his arms. "Stop forcing yourself into things."

Simon looked at my father and said indignantly, "Roxie has already apologized, Mr. Whitford. How much more are all of you planning to force things further with an ill woman before you're finally happy?"

My father was extremely disappointed. "No one is forcing her into anything. We've prepared medication for her, called her a taxi, and are even prepared to accompany her to the hospital, but she chose to reject everything. All she wants is you."

Simon replied right away, "What's wrong with her trusting me?"

My father did not argue. All he did was turn to look at me. "Elena, you need to decide this for yourself."

His eyes had turned slightly red, but he did not force me into making any choices. I lowered my head to look at a text on my phone that read: [Wait for me.]

An announcement rang out loudly in the lobby. "If A027 does not confirm within five minutes, we will move to the next number."

A staff member popped his head from behind the counter window. "We've confirmed your information, and all we need now is both of your signatures. This is a quick procedure. You can still make it if you go to the counter now."

Everyone turned to look at Simon, and I asked him one last time, "Are you coming with me, Simon?"

Simon glanced at me and lowered his head to look at Roxie in his arms. Roxie quickly pulled away from him and said in a small voice, "You should go, Simon. I'm fine. Really."

Before she even finished her sentence, tears started falling.

Simon was silent for several seconds before finally wiping away her tears. "I'll take Roxie to the hospital first. Stop making a fuss, Elena. We can get our marriage license any time we want.

“We've been together for eight years, and you can't really think those eight years were for nothing just because we couldn't get our marriage license today."

He was convinced, and he decided on my behalf, thinking that I would still stick around for next time.

I stayed silent. All I did was return his ID, which caught Simon by surprise. "What do you mean by this?"

As I stuffed his ID back into his hand, leaving only mine behind, I said, "You can have this back." After that, I walked toward Counter 3.

"What can you do by going there alone, Elena?"

I did not turn back. "I told you before that I'll be getting my marriage license today no matter what."