2

Amelia’s POV

The man in front of me gave a faint smile.

Not even two hours after that strange encounter, I was already walking out of the Civil Affairs Bureau with a marriage certificate in my hand. It didn’t feel real. That thin document with the red cover now bound my life to a man I had only met this morning.

“Miss, congratulations on your marriage,” he said, his tone still calm.

I lifted my head to look at him. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. His face looked as if it was truly filled with happiness, as though this was the happiest day of his life. For me, everything was still blurry, like a strange dream that happened far too quickly.

“Yes… thank you,” I answered awkwardly. “You too.”

“Of course.” His smile remained.

“Oh, Miss. I still have some business to take care of, so I can’t take you home. Is that alright?” he asked again.

I froze. So, after getting married, we were just going to part ways like this? But I quickly nodded. “Eh, it’s fine. I can go home by myself.”

“Alright then. About my address, I’ll send it to you later. Just give me your phone number.”

“Oh…” I hesitated. My mind was a mess. I had just married a man whose name I didn’t even know, and now I was supposed to give him my phone number? The thought of living under the same roof with him made my chest tighten.

I held my breath before finally handing him my phone.

“Relax, Miss,” he said, as if reading my mind. “I’ll give you time until you’re truly ready to live with me.”

I looked at him for a moment. His words gave me a bit of relief. At least he wasn’t forcing me. “Thank you for understanding,” I whispered.

He took my phone, noted down the number, and sent a single letter “P” to his own. Then he handed it back to me.

“Oh, right,” he scratched his neck awkwardly. “Earlier, when I got angry, I threw away my wedding ring. So I don’t have one right now. And I happened to leave my wallet at work. But I promise, once I have the time, I’ll get us proper wedding rings.”

I hurried to interject, “Don’t worry about it. It’s just a formality.”

“No, no. Wedding rings are a must. Otherwise, how will people believe we’re married?” he insisted firmly.

I scratched the tip of my nose, embarrassed. “Well then… it’s up to you. Whatever you think is best.”

He nodded resolutely. “Alright then, I’ll go first.”

I could only answer with a small nod. My eyes followed his broad back until he disappeared behind the iron gate.

Only then did I take a deep breath, trying to calm my scattered thoughts. My gaze fell to the marriage certificate in my hand. My fingers trembled as I opened it.

I was really married.

Like a dream.

My eyes locked on the small photo inside—my face side by side with his. Underneath, his name was written clearly: Xavier Lewis.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips. How ridiculous was it, that I only learned my husband’s name after the marriage was legally registered? Absurd, yet real.

But strangely, compared to the thought of marrying Zack, I felt a little calmer now. Xavier seemed like an ordinary man. From the way he spoke, from the simplicity of his appearance, I sensed he wasn’t the type who would deliberately make my life difficult later on.

I sighed. No point overthinking. The important thing was, I was married today.

I glanced at my phone screen. It was already noon. That meant I had to return to the Rinov household.

Just as I took a step forward, my phone rang. The name flashing on the screen made my heart skip: Mother.

I pressed the green button. Lidya’s voice came through immediately, anxious but also heavy with pressure. “Amelia, did you get married today? You didn’t fail again, did you?”

My heart sank. I almost failed, Mother. If it weren’t for Xavier suddenly appearing and offering this marriage… I would have been shattered again.

I cleared my throat, keeping my emotions in check. “Don’t worry, Mother. Today I already got the marriage certificate.”

“What?” Her tone rose. “You really got married? Who is this man? What’s he like? Don’t tell me he’s some good-for-nothing?”

I was stunned by her instant suspicion. “That doesn’t matter. What matters is, I’m married and the certificate is official. If you don’t believe me, I’ll come and show you.”

There was silence, then her voice returned, flat. “Fine. I don’t care who he is. What matters is you’re married.”

The call ended. I stared at the darkened screen, pain spreading through my chest. She was my mother, but for as long as I could remember, I had never truly felt her love.

Taking a deep breath, I hailed a taxi. The car sped off, carrying me back to the Rinov residence—the place that had never truly accepted me.

Today, a grand banquet was being held there, a celebration for Raisa and Kevin Aprilio’s engagement.

When I arrived, the lavish villa buzzed with decorations and bustling servants. I stepped out slowly and walked inside.

Some workers turned to look at me. I could feel their judgmental stares. Whispers began to spread.

“Wow, who’s that? She’s gorgeous,” one murmured.

Another servant replied softly, “That’s Amelia. The illegitimate daughter Mr. Tomi never acknowledged.”

I bit my lip, pretending not to hear, though every word pierced my ears.

More whispers followed.

“Her mother was only married in secret. When Mrs. Mira was heavily pregnant, her mother showed up also pregnant. In the end, Mr. Tomi secretly married her too. Both women gave birth on the same day.”

“Lidya was shameless. Even when she was driven out, she found a way to return, even working as a servant just to stay.”

“And her daughter, Amelia, at least used to know her place. But after those indecent photos spread, she ran off and never came back. Why now? Hasn’t she any shame left?”

Those photos. Always those photos.

“What photos?” one worker asked curiously.

“Her sleeping with several men. Mr. Tomi was furious, beat her, and threw her out. Even her boyfriend, young master Kevin, broke up with her. And now, he’s engaged to Miss Raisa.”

“Like mother, like daughter. If the mother was cheap, the daughter’s a slut too.”

Soft laughter echoed. My heart clenched as if crushed. But I kept walking, feigning deafness.

At the door, Mother was already waiting. The moment she saw me, she grabbed my hand and pulled me upstairs.

“Did you really get married?” she asked coldly, without emotion.

I met her gaze briefly. “Yes, I did.”

“Good.” She nodded flatly. “You must know your place. Kevin Aprilio is your sister’s fiancé now. He comes from a respectable family. You’re not worthy of him, illegitimate child. Only Raisa deserves to be his wife.”

Cold. Her words cut like blades. I stayed silent, but inside, a small fire burned.

Kevin Aprilio… the man who had once been my boyfriend for years. The man who abandoned me the day my life was ruined by those photos. And now, on this very day, he had proposed to Raisa.