Chapter 2

Carol only stopped in her tracks when she heard Caleb's words, and a faint smile played at the corners of her lips.

"Remember to swap out that wedding ring before seeing me tomorrow, Justin," she said. "I don't want anything that idiot touches."

Carol rolled her eyes when she saw that I ignored her.

"Since Justin is marrying someone else, we might as well make up for his lack of a bachelor party. Let's drink until we drop."

Having said that, she tugged Caleb out of the wedding suite and didn't look back.

I remained on one knee, my hand suspended mid-air. My heart felt empty.

Just then, I felt a warm, soft hand resting gently on mine.

Instinctively, I looked up to meet Layla's gaze, a soft smile slowly gracing her lips when she looked at me.

Layla's voice was soft but exceptionally clear when she murmured, "I will."

I was somewhat surprised.

For some reason, although Layla seemed dull and dim-witted, the eyes that looked back at me were clear and bright.

Yet, this was a fleeting thought I did not dwell on.

Gently, I coaxed Layla, saying, "Since you've agreed, we still need to go to the city hall. It only counts if we get a marriage certificate."

I paused, looking into her eyes. "This isn't a game," I said earnestly. "Are you absolutely certain?"

Layla didn't answer—she merely clapped her hands happily.

I couldn't help but smile bitterly when I saw how genuinely happy she was.

The next day, I drove Layla to the city hall.

Throughout the process, Layla encountered multiple issues.

During the signing, she held the pen clumsily, finally managing to scrawl out her name in uneven letters.

She also found the red ink pad fascinating when offering her thumbprint.

Not only did she get it all over her hands, but she accidentally smeared it on my cheek, too.

Layla smiled at her reflection in the mirror, thinking she looked like a kitten.

Soon, we were given two copies of the marriage certificates.

Layla held her marriage certificate, her eyes sparkling as she cradled the document like a precious treasure, refusing to let go.

I called my driver as soon as we left the building.

Gently, I patted her head and murmured, "Why don't you leave with the driver first? I have some things to take care of and will be back soon.

Layla looked at me in bemusement, but she nodded obediently.

I went the opposite way and headed to the bar alone.

When I stepped into the private room, only Carol and Caleb remained.

She was carefully wiping his mouth with a damp towel, and his collar bore traces of vomit stains.

If memory served, Carol was a real stickler for cleanliness.

I once had a cold so bad that I couldn't help it and accidentally threw up on the sheets.

Carol's first instinct upon waking up was to berate me while pinching her nose in disgust.

"Justin, that is disgusting! Can't you throw up in the bathroom?"

In the end, I forced myself to endure the discomfort and change the sheets, while she didn't offer a single word of concern.

She went over to Caleb's that very night.

Yet, Carol remained utterly oblivious to the obvious filth on Caleb's body right now.

Caleb recovered slightly, his drunken gaze glazed over as he grinned at me.

"Weren't you saying you'd marry the halfwit? Or are you having second thoughts already?"

Carol did not stop her ministrations but silenced him gently. "Shut it, Caleb."

She finally glanced at me. "I reckon you've already learnt your lesson," she said flatly. "I won't hold it against you. I'll make up for the wedding in a few days.

"Right now, I need to send Caleb back. He's had too much to drink."