Chapter 4

Patrick looked surprised.

"You really have no objections? You're not angry?" he asked.

"Not at all," I replied. "No one wants their own child to be called a bastard."

He nodded in relief. "I'm glad you can see reason. We can still have the wedding ceremony. In everyone else's eyes, you and I will still be husband and wife. It doesn't matter whose name is on the marriage certificate."

I nodded without saying a word.

Patrick continued, "There's one more thing. Raising a child is incredibly demanding these days, and I'm already exhausted just taking care of Douglas. So, after we get married, let's not have any children of our own.

"Instead, you'll raise Douglas as if he were your own son. He's smart and has great potential. We'll leave all our assets to him, and I'm sure he'll take care of you when you're old."

Without the slightest hesitation, I nodded and said, "Okay."

Patrick paused, his brows drawing together slightly as a flicker of unease crossed his eyes.

"Why are you being so understanding all of a sudden?"

I smiled. "We're about to get married—what's the point of quibbling over every little thing?"

He visibly relaxed. "I thought you were sulking. I'm glad you've come around. After all, you're already going to have me. You should be content with that. Honey, I really do love you.

"Seeing you be so understanding makes my heart ache for you. I promise we'll settle down and live a peaceful life together from now on. Even though Lana and I have a child together, I won't let her and Douglas interfere with our life."

As soon as he finished speaking, his phone rang. He answered it, and a child's sobs could be faintly heard from the other end, along with a plaintive little cry.

"Daddy…"

After hanging up, Patrick gave me a strained look.

"Douglas misses me. I need to see him. He's still so young and needs me by his side. You won't mind, right?"

"Go ahead," I said.

And with that, he left.

After the door closed, I sat down on the couch and received two messages from Lana.

"You're a pathetic loser who can't even get a marriage certificate or a child. Do you really think Patrick will marry you? He's just keeping you around as an ATM to support Douglas and me!

"But don't worry, I know you'll happily get on your knees and take care of us. Be a good, loyal dog and keep working hard, okay? You'll need to support us when we have our second baby."

I didn't delete the messages or reply. Instead, I took screenshots and saved the conversation.

Patrick hadn't come home for three days. I hadn't contacted him either, as I'd been busy meeting with Bradley.

Bradley was even more handsome in person than in his photos, and he had a warm, genuine smile.

On the morning of the third day, Bradley and I went to the city hall to register our marriage. After we left, he went to a nearby print shop to make copies of some documents.

I waited for him outside, the marriage certificate we'd just obtained tucked inside my bag.

Just then, a black sedan pulled up to the curb, and Patrick and Lana stepped out.

The moment Patrick spotted me, his expression changed.

"Agnes, didn't you promise me you wouldn't cause a scene? Why did you follow us all the way here?"

Lana stepped forward and positioned herself in front of me. Then, she deliberately said in a raised voice, "Agnes, just how shameless can you be? Patrick and I are about to register our marriage, and you still have to come here and get between us?"

Several people nearby were waiting to register their marriages, and at Lana's words, they all turned to look in our direction.

Embarrassed, I tried to explain, "I'm not here for Patrick."

"Who are you trying to fool?" Lana's voice grew even louder. "You followed us all the way to the city hall, and you still have the nerve to deny it? I'm telling you—if you ever harass my husband again, I'll beat you to death. Get lost! Don't ruin our special day."

Patrick's expression hardened as well. "Agnes, you're making a real fool of yourself. Just leave. I don't want you embarrassing yourself any further."

Just then, a clear and resonant voice rang out from behind me.

"What's so embarrassing about my wife?"