Chapter 4

That night, I sat alone on a cold IV chair in the ER, watching the fluid drip down drop by drop as my heart turned to ice alongside it.

From that day on, I knew that between Shelby and me stood Liam—a barrier that could never be bypassed.

All my concessions and endurance were nothing more than things taken for granted in their eyes.

As the tide of memories receded, I stepped out and shut the door behind me.

Even as the late-night chill bit at my face, Shelby didn't send another message, nor did she make a single call.

Perhaps in her and Liam's world, I had long become an utterly insignificant presence.

I hauled my suitcase forward and never looked back.

"Goodbye, Shelby. I hope you enjoy married life."

…

Early the next morning, Shelby and Liam arrived just as the county courthouse opened its doors.

Neither of them had bothered to fix themselves up. Their hair was slightly disheveled, and their faces carried the exhaustion of a wild night, yet they couldn't conceal their smugness.

Shelby slapped the marriage certificate onto my desk. Her tone was flippant, as though she were discussing a minor chore. "Rowen, help us file for divorce."

As she leaned down, I caught a clear view of a glaring hickey on the side of her neck.

It was fresh and impossibly dark, like a stamped seal marking ownership.

Yet I felt nothing.

"Rowen, I really have to thank you for yesterday," Liam said, grinning proudly as his fingers casually brushed over the mark on Shelby's neck.

"Shelby was right. This dare was pretty thrilling."

Ignoring his provocation, I reached out for the marriage certificate and began running through the procedure.

"IDs, please," I said professionally.

Frowning, Shelby pulled two cards from her bag with an impatient huff and handed them over. "Hurry it up. We've got plans this afternoon."

After taking the IDs, I tapped rhythmically across the keyboard, bringing up their registration records.

On the screen, the photo they'd taken yesterday popped up. Liam had a dazzling smile, while Shelby's expression looked somewhat stiff and unnatural.

"Information verified."

I raised my head, wearing a standard professional smile.

Shelby let out a breath of relief, seemingly under the impression that this whole ordeal was wrapping up.

Liam straightened his collar, ready to reclaim his single status.

However, instead of reaching for the divorce application form, I unhurriedly drew a newly issued document from the drawer on my right.

I smoothed it out across the desk, sliding it directly in front of them.

The bold, black title at the top was glaringly visible—"Waiting-Period Notice".

Shelby's smile froze on her face. "What is this?"

I adjusted my wire-rimmed glasses. My eyes behind the lenses were completely devoid of emotion.

"My apologies, Ms. Smith, Mr. Pearson," I said, my voice quiet yet ringing with complete clarity across the quiet hall.

"To prevent couples from rushing into impulsive divorces, per the latest directive from higher management, you are required to enter a six-month mandatory waiting period."