My Wife and I: Married in Name, Never on Paper

Nathan's POV

Today marked Emma Davies' and my fifth wedding anniversary, as well as the 15th time we were supposed to register our marriage.

We had planned to go to my favorite restaurant for lunch, then head to City Hall afterward.

However, when I finished my work and rushed to the restaurant, I found a large crowd of people.

I froze, my expression turning dark. I looked at Emma, my eyes full of questions.

"Nathan, you're here."

Emma waved at me. "Keegan landed a big deal today. Everyone wanted to celebrate, but they couldn't get a reservation, so I just brought them along. It's just a meal anyway. It'll be lively with more people."

Her words made my chest tighten.

It had taken me two weeks to get a reservation at this place, just because it was the only restaurant in Aldrath that made Emma's favorite cuisine.

I wanted to make our anniversary perfect.

And yet, she… didn't seem to care at all.

"Hey, Nathan! I didn't want to interrupt your romantic date, but Emma insisted on helping me celebrate. You're not mad, are you?"

Emma's colleague, Keegan Estrada, flashed me a grin.

"It's fine." I shook my head, forcing my disappointment down.

"Come on, sit down," Keegan urged but didn't offer to move so that I could sit next to Emma.

I had no choice but to sit across from them.

"Emma, this meat's too fatty. I don't want it," Keegan said, smiling at Emma.

Without a second thought, Emma grabbed the piece he'd left on his plate and popped it into her mouth.

She didn't even look up, as though she'd done it a thousand times before.

Seeing that, I couldn't help but feel a sharp pang in my chest.

Emma wouldn't even share a cup I had already used. And now, she was eating food someone else had bitten into.

Staring at the table full of dishes, I suddenly lost all appetite, but Emma didn't notice.

Though my stomach was upset, I still took one drink after another for her because I knew she was allergic to alcohol and would break out in a rash if she drank.

Yet, when I had to run to the bathroom to throw up, Emma calmly took the drink from Keegan's hand just because he'd said, "Emma, I'm feeling a little dizzy."

And she, like a hero, intercepted every drink for him.

Watching the scene, I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

I didn't know whether Keegan or I was her husband.

But one thing was clear. Emma's colleagues were all looking at me with pity in their eyes.

Finally, the dinner was over, but Emma seemed to have forgotten I existed. She held Keegan intimately, supporting him as they walked out of the restaurant.

As she was about to leave, I couldn't hold it in any longer. "Emma, you promised we'd register our marriage today."

Emma finally realized and looked at me with an apologetic gaze.

Just then, Keegan chimed in, "Emma, I'm so dizzy and cold. I feel terrible."

He clung to her like a koala, his head resting on her shoulder.

Upon hearing that, Emma quickly draped her coat over him and glanced at me. "Nathan, wait for me. I'll take Keegan home first, then meet you at City Hall."

With that, she hailed a cab and left.

As I watched the cab drive away, I clenched my fists tightly.

I was cold too. The bare skin on my body had turned red from the chill, but Emma couldn't even see it.

I waited at City Hall for what felt like forever.

The sky grew darker, but Emma never showed up.

This was the 15th time. Every time, Emma had stood me up for Keegan.

Suddenly, I didn't feel like it mattered anymore.

Since we couldn't seem to register our marriage, maybe we shouldn't bother at all.