Chapter 1

I stared at Terry's face, trying to find any trace of guilt.

"Do you know what it means for me to go to prison?"

He softened his tone and gently hugged me.

"Jade, I promise, taking the blame won't change our relationship. The Bolton family's legal team will help you secure probation. You can still investigate your mother's case after that."

Terry knew my dream was to be a prosecutor. He knew I wanted to overturn my mother's case.

He knew that once I took the blame for Sarah, my career would be over.

But he still asked me to do so.

In that case, he had to pay the price.

I took a deep breath and said, "In that case, let's go get our marriage certificate today."

The words "marriage certificate" made Terry hesitate.

His gaze passed over me and landed on Sarah's tear-streaked face, as if waiting for permission.

I couldn't help but scoff.

"You want me to throw away my future, yet you won't even give me a proper status?"

Terry instinctively shook his head. He was about to agree when Sarah, in tears, stepped in front of him and said, "If the price of my freedom is the rest of your life, then I'd rather go to prison."

Terry's gaze softened. He immediately cradled her face with concern.

"If I can't even protect you, what use is the freedom to choose my own wife?"

This pair of lovebirds amused me so much I almost laughed.

"She's just a murderer. Don't make it sound like the law is specifically designed to hurt her."

Sarah's face immediately turned crimson, and her tears seemed to hit Terry's heart.

He frowned at me.

"Sarah didn't do it on purpose. You don't have to be so harsh."

It wasn't the first time Sarah had acted like this.

Previously, when I was the attorney for a minor in a sexual assault case, she broke into my study without permission and "accidentally" leaked the photos taken during the victim's assault from my computer.

The victim was bullied online and almost committed suicide.

I turned the tide and won the case, but Sarah said I orchestrated the whole thing to become famous.

I became an evil lawyer that everyone hated.

What saddened me the most was Terry's attitude.

In order to protect Sarah, he used the Bolton family's influence to hastily suppress the truth.

I had to change my name to escape public scrutiny.

That time, touched by his relentless presence outside my door every day, I chose not to break up with him.

This time, I wouldn't let that happen again.

"Do you want to help her or not? The county clerk's office will close soon."

We managed to register our marriage before the staff got off work.

The moment the marriage certificate was stamped, Sarah fainted in Terry's arms.

He quickly scooped her up and was eager to get back to the car.

I immediately called out to him.

Terry turned back impatiently.

"You still want to argue when Sarah's in this condition? Do you have no regard for human life?"

It was ironic to hear those words from him.

I glanced at Sarah, whose eyelashes were trembling, and lowered my voice.

"You misunderstood. I just want to remind you to transfer her car to my name as soon as possible. The repair costs for that car must also be paid with my card. If there's a discrepancy between the names, she'll be implicated."

Terry was stunned. A trace of guilt flashed in his eyes, but when the woman in his arms gently tugged at him, that bit of guilt was quickly suppressed.

"I'll find you the best lawyer."

Before he turned to leave, I stopped him again.

"Wait. I want the houses, cars, and cards you gave her."

Terry stared at me silently as if he was seeing me for the first time.

"Got it."

He dropped that line and left without looking back, almost like he was fleeing.