He didn’t hate it

The courthouse doors opened behind them as Katherine stepped out into the afternoon sunlight, the fresh marriage certificate still in her hands.

“Well,” Katherine said with a small smile, “we are officially married.”

Only a few hours had passed since the confrontation at the restaurant. After that chaotic moment, she and Steve had gone straight to the courthouse for a civil ceremony.

It had been simple.

No flowers.  No grand reception. No orchestra. Just four witnesses.

Kimberly stood beside Katherine, while Luke, Steve’s long-time friend and Nerine’s bodyguard, served as Steve’s witness. Within minutes, the judge had pronounced them husband and wife.

Katherine stared down at the document again, almost unable to believe it.

She had just married a complete stranger.

Yet strangely, she didn’t regret it.

Anything was better than allowing Richard to take everything her family had built.

“I’m sorry,” Steve said quietly beside her. “I couldn’t give you a proper wedding. I know most women dream of something more-----”

“It’s okay,” Katherine interrupted gently, shaking her head.

She looked at him properly for the first time since the ceremony.

He really did look like a good man.

And his daughter?

Nerine had been clinging to Katherine’s arm like a little koala ever since they left the courthouse.

“Lady Katherine,” Kimberly said as she approached them, tablet in hand. “You have an urgent meeting with the board.”

Katherine sighed softly before nodding.

Of course she did.

Being the youngest CEO of Sutherland Group didn’t pause just because she had gotten married.

She turned back to Steve.

“I need to attend the meeting,” she said. “But… I’ll see you tonight? Let’s have dinner to celebrate our wedding.”

Before Steve could answer, a small voice spoke up.

“Dad. Ring.”

Nerine looked up at him expectantly.

Steve blinked. Only then did the realization hit him.

They were already married. And he hadn’t even given his wife a ring.

In fact, it was the opposite.

Katherine had given him one, her priceless family heirloom.

Steve rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.

“I didn’t prepare anything,” he admitted. “But I’m sure I have something—”

He checked his pockets. His jacket. Nothing. Then his eyes fell on the ring on his own hand.

The Phantom Signet. Steve stared at it for a moment before looking at Katherine.

“You don’t have to trouble yourself,” Katherine said lightly.

But Steve shook his head.

“Well---this is all I have right now,” he said. “And since you’re my wife, I think it’s only fair that you have it.”

Without hesitation, he removed the ring.

Taking Katherine’s hand gently, he slid the ring onto her finger.

But the moment he did, Katherine burst into laughter. The ring was enormous. It was so large it nearly slipped past her finger and could have fit on her thumb.

Steve looked mildly embarrassed.

“I have an idea,” Katherine said suddenly. She removed the necklace she was wearing. Carefully, she took the ring off her finger and threaded it onto the chain.

The Phantom Signet now hung like a pendant against the center of her chest.

She turned toward Steve and held the necklace out.

“Will you?” Steve smiled softly and stepped behind her.

Katherine swept her hair over one shoulder while he clasped the necklace around her neck.

When he finished, she turned around playfully.

“Well?” she asked Nerine. “How do I look?”

Nerine’s eyes sparkled.

“The ring suits you,” she said seriously. “You’re pretty.”

Katherine laughed. “Sweet talker.” She gently pinched the girl’s cheek.

“What she said is true,” Steve said as he stepped in front of Katherine again.

His gaze fell on the ring resting against her collarbone.

It looked strangely perfect there.

“Alright, enough compliments,” Katherine said with a smile. “I really have to go.”

She gave them one last look.

“See you tonight.”

With that, she turned and walked toward the waiting car, Kimberly already opening the door for her.

Steve and Nerine stood quietly on the courthouse steps, watching the vehicle drive away. Neither of them said anything. But both of them knew the same thing. Their lives had just changed forever.

Steve and Nerine stood on the courthouse steps, watching Katherine’s car disappear into the afternoon traffic.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Nerine suddenly turned to him.

“Dad,” she said excitedly, “I want to cook dinner for Mom tonight.”

Steve blinked.

“You want to cook?” he asked, raising an eyebrow. “Since when can you cook?”

Nerine crossed her arms and lifted her chin proudly.

“I’m fifteen,” she said. “And you’ve been away for five years. Things change. I’m a big girl now.”

Steve laughed softly and ruffled her hair.

“Yeah, a very big girl,” he teased.

Luke, who had been quietly standing nearby, watched the exchange with a thoughtful expression.

After a moment, he spoke.

“Steve---- are you sure it’s okay that you didn’t tell Miss Katherine who you really are?”

Steve glanced at him.

Luke continued carefully.

“She probably thinks you’re just a jobless single father.”

Steve didn’t look offended. If anything, he looked amused.

“She’s the heiress of Sutherland Group,” Luke added. “Once people find out she married someone like you, the media will explode.”

Steve slipped his hands casually into his pockets.

“It’s fine,” he said calmly.

“It’s better if no one knows who I am for now.”

His voice remained relaxed, but there was quiet authority in it.

“I don’t need public attention,” he continued. “Not right now.”

His gaze drifted in the direction Katherine’s car had gone.

“I just want some peaceful time with my daughter… and my new wife.”

Luke hesitated. “But the world leaders----”

“They know I’m on vacation,” Steve said simply.

Luke sighed. “But how long is that vacation going to last?”

Before Steve could answer, Nerine suddenly groaned.

“Uncle Luke, you’re such a mood killer.”

Both men looked at her. She crossed her arms again and glared at Luke.

“Let my dad enjoy his married life for once.” Steve chuckled under his breath.

Luke raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. I’ll stay quiet.”

Nerine immediately brightened again. “Good!” she said happily.

Then she grabbed Steve’s arm and began pulling him down the courthouse steps.

“Come on, Dad! We need groceries if we’re cooking for Mom tonight.”

Steve allowed himself to be dragged along, smiling faintly.

For the first time in years. Life suddenly felt normal.

And strangely enough----He didn’t hate it.