Chapter 1

Grandma always said, in this world, a woman was only truly happy after she was married and had kids.

I started pushing Sebastian Moore to register our marriage. To get the birth permit.

I ran myself ragged for it. And in the end, he handed the permit that was supposed to be mine to his widowed sister-in-law. Hannah.

"Hannah is already seven months pregnant," he said. "Without the permit, she can't give birth. We haven't even gotten married yet, so what's the rush? Having a baby can wait."

But Grandma was suffering so much, she held on, refusing to let go, just to see me get married and have a baby.

If he wasn't in a hurry, then why did he break down crying when I married someone else and had a child?

*****

"I think you're pretty awesome. If you're up for it, I'd love for us to get our marriage license and tie the knot within two weeks," I said.

The guy sitting across from me was caught off guard for a second.

His sharp military uniform practically sparkled.

Beneath his cap, his good-looking face turned a little red for a second.

"Isn't this moving a little fast? We barely know each other," he said.

I shook my head, a trace of bitterness tugging at my heart.

"It's not really that fast," I said honestly. "I've seen your medical report. You're healthy. Your height, weight, looks, and your rank. To be blunt, marrying you is kind of me marrying up. I'm in a hurry to get married and have a child, so I don't want to waste time on dating. If this feels too rushed for you, we can stop right here."

After I finished speaking, I got up, ready to leave.

But he reached out to stop me.

Then he placed a bankbook in my hand.

"I think you're a good woman too," he said. "I'm busy with the army. I don't really have time for romance either. You want marriage and a child. I want a family and a kid. That makes us a good match. This is the bride price. It's not much, but it's sincere. I'm not eligible for housing yet at my age, so you might have to put up with a few inconveniences."

I looked up at him. He had that upright, no-nonsense look about him. I looked up at him. He had that upright, no-nonsense look about him.

Then I pulled out a handkerchief I'd stitched myself and handed it to him.

"I'll accept the gift," I said. "I've saved some money from teaching over the years. That'll be my gift for you."

He smiled, his expression so genuine and straightforward that I couldn't help but feel comfortable around him.

"I have a mission coming up," he said. "I'll be back in about a week. When I return, we'll talk about the wedding. I'll make sure to marry you properly."

I nodded. "Yeah, I want to have kids soon, so we need to get the birth permit sorted out quickly."

He promised, "No problem. I can pull some strings at my age. We'll get both the marriage license and the birth permit when we register."

After saying goodbye to him, I called my aunt Claire Morrison and told her, "It's done."

Claire sounded shocked. "Seriously? That fast? Did he really pick you?"

"He wants to get married and have a kid too," I said. "I just happened to show up at the right time. No need for deep feelings. That's probably why it worked. Still, he's a battalion deputy commander, and I'm just an elementary school teacher. I'm kind of punching above my weight."

She dismissed it immediately. "Nonsense. Look at you, so fresh and pretty. Anyone would fall for you. Except Sebastian. That blind idiot passed you up for a pregnant widow."

"Claire, what's the name of the guy I'm supposed to have a blind date with?" I asked.

"Let me think. Oh, right, Zachary Coleman," Claire replied.

The name sounded familiar.

I just couldn't remember where I'd heard it before.

But it didn't really matter.

From now on, Zachary was my fiancé.