Chapter 3
Dead silence.
Emily's jaw dropped. She stared at me, then at her brother, her face screaming, "Who am I? Where am I? Did my best friend just lose her mind?"
Edward stayed leaned back, eyes fixed on my face, trying to figure out if I was serious.
His expression didn't budge—unreadable as deep water.
His stare made me flinch, but I'd already said it. No taking it back now.
I squared my shoulders, trying to look unfazed as I met his gaze.
"I'm serious," I said. "I'm not letting today become some pathetic joke. Jason stood me up seven times? Fine. I'll marry someone else on the same day he ditched me."
Yeah, maybe it was childish. But I was in full screw-it mode—if I was making a mess, I'd make it a spectacular one.
I knew it was crazy. Completely reckless.
But I couldn't let him win.
Why should I be the one falling apart while Jason lied through his teeth and slept just fine?
Emily finally snapped out of it and grabbed my arm. "Charlie, calm down. Marriage isn't a joke! You can't throw your future away just to get back at Jason!"
"I am calm," I said, shaking her off. "I just realized—why marry a liar when I could marry someone who's actually dependable?"
My gaze shifted back to Edward.
Emily's brother. Good family, gorgeous, successful.
Maybe a little cold, but at least he'd shown up today.
He gave me his jacket, bought me hot chocolate, and let me cry.
That felt more real than five years of Jason's empty promises.
Edward finally moved.
He sat up slowly, drumming his fingers on the desk. Each tap was perfectly timed.
Each one landed right on my nerves, making my heart skip.
I was so nervous that my palms were sweating.
I was already rehearsing how to salvage my dignity when he turned me down.
Maybe he'd think I'd lost my mind.
Maybe he'd think I was making a fool of him.
Just when I was about to crack, Edward's tapping stopped.
He looked up at me. "Okay."
I froze.
Emily looked equally stunned.
The world hit pause.
Did I hear that right?
"Wait... what?" I stammered.
Edward stood up, his presence suddenly overwhelming.
He grabbed his keys, voice flat. "I said okay."
He paused. "My ID's at home. Let me grab it."
With that, he headed straight for the door.
I was totally floored.
He... he actually agreed?
Emily jumped in front of him. "Edward, are you insane? You and Charlotte barely know each other! You're just going to get married? Do you even understand what you're—"
"I know," Edward interrupted, looking past her at me. "I know exactly what I'm doing."
His eyes were ocean-deep, holding something I couldn't read.
My heart skipped.
"But—" Emily tried.
"Emily," Edward cut her off, voice low and firm. "This is my business."
His presence was so commanding that Emily just shut up, looking embarrassed.
Edward didn't spare her another glance. He turned to me. "Wait here. I'll be back soon."
With that, he opened the door and walked out.
The moment the door closed, Emily exploded.
"Charlotte, are you both insane? This is a flash marriage! Even romance novels wouldn't go this far!"
I stared at the closed door, thoughts spinning.
I'd just said something impulsive—not even meaning it. So why did Edward agree?
Why? What was in it for him?
Because I'd just been dumped? Because I was flat broke and drowning in favors?
"Charlie, it's not too late. When Edward comes back, just say it was a joke," Emily pleaded, desperate.
Did I regret it?
I didn't know.
All I knew was that when Edward said "Okay," the anger in my chest got replaced by something wilder—something that made my heart race.
It was the thrill of taking control back. Of rewriting my own story.
Edward's place was just around the corner. Less than 20 minutes later, the doorbell rang.
Emily opened it. Edward stood there in casual clothes—the boardroom edge gone, replaced by something more relaxed.
In his hand was a folder just like mine.
He walked up and held it out. "Let's go."
I looked at him, then at Emily, who just sighed, helpless.
I took a breath and grabbed the folder. "Let's go."
City hall was still open.
We got the very last slot.
Same clerk as before. She blinked when she saw me, then her eyes shifted to Edward. Practically sparkling with curiosity.
My face burned.
We filled out the forms and signed our names.
Edward and I didn't speak, yet a strange, wordless understanding stretched between us.
When the clerk handed us the marriage license, still smelling of fresh ink, it all felt surreal.
Had I really just gotten married?
To a man I barely knew.
On the same day my boyfriend of five years stood me up for the seventh time.
We walked out to find the rain had stopped.
The air was cool and fresh, carrying the damp, earthy kiss of rain.
I stared at the marriage license and the photo in my hands, at my red dress and my stiff, unnatural smile.
Edward stood beside me with that cold expression. But a closer look revealed a flicker of gentleness in his eyes.
My phone was blowing up. Jason, message after message.
[Come on, Charlie, I'm sorry. Give me one more chance, okay?]
[Don't do this. We can't just break up.]
[Where are you? I'm coming over right now!]
I shut my phone off.
Everything went quiet. Finally, the world was mine again.
Edward opened the car door and gestured for me to get in.
"Where to?" I asked.
"Home," he replied.
Home? Which home?
He caught my confusion. "Our home."