Chapter 1 Marriage Certificate

At the parking lot of Home Affairs, Brooklyn Rogers was looking at her marriage certificate, grinning from ear to ear. She couldn’t believe that she was really married.

She pinched herself to confirm that she was not hallucinating. Finally, she was going to have a home.

Her husband, Preston James, looked at her with disdain in his eyes. At that moment, he regretted marrying her.

Had it not been for the promise of his grandfather's company shares, he would have delayed his marriage until his first love reached the age of twenty-one.

Brooklyn pulled her phone from her designer handbag to take a photo of her marriage certificate, but her husband snatched the marriage certificate from her hand and asked coldly, “What do you think you are doing, Brooklyn?”

Brooklyn looked at her new husband with eyes full of love and replied, “I want to share our happiness with people who are important in my life, Preston.”

A surge of anger rose in Preston’s heart, and he said, “Listen carefully, Brooklyn. You will never have my heart. You are nothing but my nominal wife.

Please ensure that our marriage remains a secret. Should you disclose our marital status to your so-called important people, you will face consequences.”

Brooklyn felt that her heart had been squeezed by invisible hands. The pain was so intense that she couldn’t breathe.

Brooklyn swiftly regained her composure before meeting her husband’s gaze. She looked at her husband with eyes that were calm but devoid of any warmth and replied, “I understand, Mr James.”

A glint of satisfaction flashed in Preston’s eyes when he saw that his nominal wife was heartbroken and said, “I am going back to work. Take a cab to your place. I will fetch you when I have time. Please don’t call me or send me annoying text messages.”

With the marriage certificate finally in his possession, Preston rushed home to show his grandfather that the task had been completed. He left his wife standing in the parking lot of the Home Affairs, heartbroken.

Brooklyn hadn’t even realized that she was crying until the most handsome stranger offered her a tissue.

She looked at him with bloodshot eyes and said, “Thank you, Sir.” The handsome stranger smiled and replied, “You are welcome, Miss Brooklyn. Do you need a ride?”

Brooklyn was taken aback when she heard the handsome stranger call her by name, and she asked, “Have we met before, Sir?” The handsome stranger smiled, but he didn’t utter a word.

The handsome stranger was the heir of the Ashford family, Jason. His family was the second-wealthiest in the country.

Ever since he lost his fiancée in a car accident three years ago, he had never looked at another woman. However, the first time he saw Brooklyn, the walls he had built around his heart shattered.

Jason Ashford decided to confess his love to Brooklyn, then he went to the Cartwright Private Hospital to look for her, carrying a bouquet of red roses. He approached one of the doctors and said, “Good morning, Doctor. I am looking for Dr Rogers.”

Dr Fiona Duncan looked at the handsome young man who exuded elegance and nobility and replied, “Dr Rogers is on vacation leave today. She went to Home Affairs to get married.”

She didn’t know why she told the young man about her best friend’s marriage because her friend had asked her to keep it confidential.

Jason nearly had a heart attack when he heard the news, but he didn’t show any emotion on his face. He thanked the doctor, then he rushed to the parking lot and drove his car to Home Affairs.

When he arrived at the Home Affairs parking lot, he didn’t expect to see the woman he loved in tears. He thought the groom didn’t show up. Hence, his beloved was devastated.

Brooklyn wiped her tears and asked, “Would you be so kind as to drop me at Cartwright Private Hospital, Sir?” Brooklyn left her car in the hospital parking lot.

Jason opened the passenger door for her with a big smile on her face, then he walked to the driver’s side and drove away.

He looked at the beautiful young lady beside him and said, “My name is Jason Ashford, Miss Brooklyn. Who upset you, beautiful lady?”

Brooklyn smiled shyly and replied, “I married the wrong man, and I regret it.” Then tears streamed down her face.

A surge of anger rose in Jason’s heart, and he asked, “Did your husband leave you alone in the parking lot after getting a marriage certificate?”

Brooklyn nodded her head and replied, “Yes. He told me that he doesn’t love me, and that I am nothing but a nominal wife. I don’t understand why he married me, Mr Ashford.”

Jason wanted to stop the car and take her in his arms, but he restrained himself and asked, “Who is your husband, Miss Brooklyn?”

Brooklyn looked at Jason with tears in her eyes and replied, “Mr Ashford, please promise me that you will never tell anyone about my marriage.”

Jason looked at her for a long time and said, “I promise.” He was wondering what kind of jerk his beloved had married.

Brooklyn lowered her gaze and replied, “Two months ago, I saved my husband, Preston James's life. After he was discharged from the hospital, he started pursuing me.

Last night, I agreed to be his girlfriend, then he told me that he couldn’t wait for me to be his wife. He promised that he would give me a home, but it was all lies. I was a fool, Mr Ashford. I think he used me as a tool for inheritance purposes.”

Jason was so shocked to hear that Brooklyn was married to Preston James because he was head over heels in love with the Cartwright heiress, Vivica. They had been dating since high school. When did they break up?

Jason’s heart ached because it was supposed to be Brooklyn's happiest day of her life, but she was neglected by her husband.

He touched her hand gently and said, “I am so sorry, Miss Brooklyn. I wish I could take your pain away. One day, Preston James will pay for what he has done to you.”

Brooklyn’s heart was moved by Jason’s words. She wished she could press the rewind button.

When they arrived at the hospital parking lot, Jason got out of the car and opened the passenger door.

Then he took the bouquet of red roses from the backseat. He smiled broadly and said, “Happy birthday, Miss Brooklyn. May the Lord shower you with lots of blessings.”

Brooklyn’s eyes were wide in disbelief, then she took the flowers with both hands and said, “Thank you, Mr Ashford. How do you know that today was my birthday?” No one knew that today was her birthday except her best friend, Fiona Duncan.

Jason looked at her with tenderness in his eyes and replied, “A little bird told me that today was your birthday. Hence, I came to the hospital to look for you.”

He escorted her to her car. They bade each other farewell, then he drove away with a heavy heart.