Stamped, But Not Real

County Clerk's Office, Ardenburg

"The marriage certificate's fake..."

The clerk shot Serena a sympathetic look.

"Vincent Schit legally married Maggie Cheape. Two weeks ago."

Serena didn't even blink. Of course he married his first love behind her back.

"Thanks."

She slid the bogus paper into her bag, threw on her shades, and walked out.

Outside, she fired off a text to her senior in college, Arya Ace:

[Arya, I'm in. Let's do Seavora. Let's start that business.]

No reply yet—Arya was probably swamped.

Serena tucked her phone away, flagged a cab, and gave the address.

She didn't get back till dusk, drained. Just as she pulled out her keys—ding.

Elevator doors opened.

Vincent stepped out, all smiles. "Serena, where've you been?"

She stared at that dumb smile.

"I went by the spot where we 'got married.' Thought I'd snap a few pics. But guess what? It's just an empty lot now. You know anything about that?"

Her eyes didn't move, locked on his face, waiting for even a flicker of guilt.

Vincent stiffened for half a second, then bounced back, smooth as ever.

"You probably went to the wrong place. We've already got the certificate. We can take pictures later. I brought macarons—the new ones from your favorite place. Try them."

He handed over the bag and headed straight to the bathroom.

Serena looked down, a bitter smile tugging at her lips.

"Vincent, there is no later for us."

She went to the study and slid the fake certificate back into the safe.

Three days ago, right after their so-called marriage registration, he showed it for a second before locking it up.

She really thought it meant something to him.

Last night changed everything.

She'd gotten up for water and caught Vincent whispering on the balcony.

"Vincent, why are you back with Maggie? You chased her for three years. She dumped you and ran off with some guy overseas. She almost wrecked you. Don't tell me you still love her?"

Silence. Then his voice, low.

"We registered our marriage two weeks ago. Her parents were trying to force her to marry some old dude... I couldn't let that happen."

Serena froze, like she'd stepped into ice water.

She and the guy on the phone both knew—it wasn't about pity.

Vincent had never stopped loving Maggie.

Six years. She thought she'd finally earned forever with him.

But the truth? She was never even part of his heart.

The 'County Clerk's Office' was fake. The marriage certificate—fake.

Their six years? Might as well have been a dream.

What a joke. What a mess.

Vincent had already picked Maggie.

So Serena made her choice too.

This time, she was done—for real.