Chapter 1

This was the 27th time Simon Callum and I had tried to get married at the civil office.

When the staff member called out our number, his stepsister, Roxie Callum, suddenly bent over to hug her stomach. "Simon, my stomach hurts."

Simon quickly held her. "I'll take you to the hospital right now."

Roxie shook her head. "I'm fine. It's your big day with Elena. The pain will pass if I bear with it."

Despite what she said, Roxie continued clinging to Simon's sleeve.

Simon frowned. "You shouldn't force yourself to hold in the pain. I'll take you to the hospital right now."

He stuffed the number in my hand. I looked at him. "It won't take long to get married here. Can't you give me 10 minutes of your time?"

Simon did not even glance at me. "We've already postponed this 26 times. It won't make any difference to postpone it one more time."

When I heard his matter-of-fact tone, I laughed. I realized he had always been aware of the situation, but he chose to take me for granted every time.

"If we don't get married today, there won't be a 28th time, Simon."

Simon held Roxie in his arms and did not even look up at me. "Stop making a fuss over this. Just wait while I take care of Roxie."

I looked at my phone and sent a text to a number I had not contacted in a very long time.

Elena: [Bring your ID and meet me at the civil office in 10 minutes.]

Chapter 1

My phone screen lit up less than half a minute after I sent that text with a new message: [Wait for me.]

I stared at the sentence for several seconds before putting my phone away to see our number lit up on the screen in the hall.

A027.

The number flashed on the screen, indicating that it was my and Simon’s turn at Counter 3.

Simon Callum was helping Roxie Callum onto a bench. He crouched in front of her and asked anxiously, "Does it still hurt? Can you walk?"

Roxie looked pale, and she gripped his wrist gently. "I'm fine. I can bear the pain. You should get married at the civil office right now. Don't delay it because of me."

Despite asking Simon to leave, she leaned closer into his arms. Simon held her even tighter. "Stop holding back the pain when it's hurting you so much."

My mother walked over quickly and leaned close to Roxie to ask, "Roxie, are you feeling a cramp in your stomach, or are you feeling a burning pain? I've got some medication for gastritis in my car.

“I'll ask Molly to fetch them here for you. You can have it first while I accompany you out here to rest."

My cousin Molly grabbed the car keys and ran out.

However, Roxie shook her head. "It's fine, Mrs. Whitford. I've had this condition for a long time. Normal medication can't help with it. It might make things worse if I take the wrong medication."

My mother was a doctor, and she could tell that it was just an excuse. She forced herself to keep her cool and said, "It won't make your condition worse because it's a gastric mucosal protective agent. If you're worried about the medication, I'll accompany you to the hospital right now.

“We should let Simon and Elena go ahead and get their marriage certificate. They're literally a few steps away from it."

Roxie's eyes filled with tears, looking like she had just been bullied. "Mrs. Whitford, do you think that I got sick on purpose today? It's really not my intention to delay their marriage." She made a show of struggling to stand up and fell back into Simon's arms.

Simon's pale face turned grim. "Stop forcing Roxie into things, Mrs. Whitford. Just look at how bad her condition is."

My mother was taken aback. "I'm just trying to help her."

"She’s always been afraid of going to the hospital. Someone else accompanying her doesn’t help." Simon said, as if Roxie had no one but him to help her.

The staff from Counter 3 popped his head out once more. "Elena Whitford and Simon Callum, do you still want your marriage certificate?"

Several couples in the waiting room looked over at us.

I glanced at the time. It was 3:31 PM. We had 29 minutes before the cutoff time.

I replied, "Yes, we do."

Simon frowned. "Elena, Roxie isn't feeling well."

"What's your point?"

"You should put aside everything for now." His tone softened in an attempt to cajole me. "We'll come back again another day after I take her for a checkup at the hospital. I promise I won't let you wait long."

Simon's promise not to make me wait long was something I had heard 26 times. The first time we planned to get our marriage certificate, Roxie had a fever. He left me alone at the civil office while he accompanied Roxie to the hospital for an IV drip.

The 12th time we tried to get our marriage certificate, Roxie got drunk because someone broke her heart. We were already waiting in front of the civil office when he got the phone call, and he ran off right away to check on her.

Chapter 2

The last time we tried to get married, Roxie lost her cat. Simon stayed with her all night to find her cat, and he overslept the next day. Every time that happened, Roxie would be the first to say, "You don't need to do this with me, Simon."

After that, Simon would tell me, "Roxie had always had insecurities since she was young. You need to be more understanding of her."

I had been understanding 26 times.

Molly came running back very quickly with the medication and some warm water. "I've got the medication, Roxie."

"You'll need to rest for 10 minutes after taking it, Roxie. I'll stay with you here. The timing will be just right after Simon and Elena get their marriage certificate," said my mother.

Roxie looked at the medication in front of her but did not reach out for it. After a few seconds, she lowered her head. "It's fine. I won't take it. Every time I get nervous, I'll throw up. Simon is the only one who knows how to take care of me."

After that, Roxie looked at me and said in a small and trembling voice, "You won't get mad at me, will you, Elena? You've been together for eight years.

“Your feelings for each other won't change even if you postpone just one more day of getting your marriage certificate."

Simon patted her back. "Stop imagining things. Elena would never blame you for something like this."

I looked back at him. "Simon, are you aware that this is the 27th time we've tried to get married?"

"Yes, I know."

"You should also know how much time and effort we've spent to prepare for this day."

Simon looked slightly annoyed. "Elena, Roxie is sick. Are you really telling me a piece of paper is more important right now?"

I was taken aback.

The electronic board flashed once more. "A027, please head to Counter 3 for confirmation."

It was 3:35 PM. We had another 25 minutes left, and I clenched my ID in my hand while looking calmly at Simon. "If we can't make the cutoff time before 4 PM, I won't marry you anymore."

Simon's face fell. "Are you threatening me, Elena?"

Before I could reply, Roxie covered her mouth suddenly and retched several times. Molly tried to give her the medication, but Roxie quickly pushed it away. "I'm sorry. I'm feeling nauseous right now."

The cup of water was smacked out of Molly's hand, and the warm water splashed all over Simon. Roxie quickly took out some tissues to try to wipe him dry as her tears started falling at the same time. "Have I given you trouble again, Simon?"

Simon held her trembling hand. "No, you didn't. Stop imagining things."

My mother could not take it any longer. "It's fine if you don't want the medication. I've already called a taxi. I'll accompany you to the hospital, and Simon can rush over after he and Elena get their marriage certificate. It won't take more than 20 minutes."

Roxie looked up with tears brimming in her eyes, and she said softly, "I get carsick whenever I'm in a stranger's car."

My mother tried her best to be patient as she explained, "Let me take a look at your medical records. I'm a doctor. I can take good care of you."

Roxie bit her lip and said nothing. She made it look like all of us were bullying her, and it worked as Simon shielded her behind him. "That's enough. Roxie is feeling sick right now. Is it necessary for all of you to take turns interrogating her?"

Molly lost her temper. "We're trying to solve the problem. She refuses to take the medication and won't let my aunt accompany her. We've already called a taxi, yet she still doesn't want to go to the hospital. What do you want us to do?"

Roxie's shoulders trembled slightly. "Molly, do you think I'm pretending to be sick? I'm just scared, and I'd like Simon to accompany me. That's all. Is it too much to ask for something so little?"

Simon's expression turned cold. "What else do you want when Roxie is practically begging for some compassion?"

Molly was speechless, while my mother clenched hard on the paper cup in her hand. I glanced at the electronic board. It was 3:38 PM, and the number A027 was still flashing. "There are another 22 minutes, Simon."

Simon pressed his fingers between his eyes, sounding tired. "I know, but postponing one day to get our marriage license doesn't mean I won't marry you. We've been together for eight years, Elena. Can't we overcome something so insignificant?"

Roxie leaned onto his shoulder and tried to advise me in a weak voice, "Don't be mad, Elena. You're the person Simon loves the most. I'm only borrowing him for a little while."

A little while? Roxie had borrowed him during my birthdays, our anniversaries, and 26 attempts at trying to get our marriage license. Now, she was borrowing him for the 27th time.

I looked at Simon. "Let me ask you one last time."

Chapter 3

"Are you coming with me to Counter 3, or are you leaving behind to accompany Roxie?"

A dark look flashed in Simon's eyes. "Are you really trying to force me to make a choice when Roxie is sick, Elena?"

I nodded without arguing further. "Fine. Do whatever you want, but I'll be getting my marriage certificate today."

At 3:42 PM, my father arrived from the parking lot with some exquisite chocolates as our wedding favors for friends and family. When he arrived at the lobby, he saw Simon on one knee by the bench and his hand on Roxie's waist. His footsteps slowed down when he saw me standing in front of the counter alone, clutching my ID.

"What's with the delay?"

Molly was trying her best not to lose her temper as she told my father what happened. All my father did was ask Simon a question without even looking at Roxie.

"We've got all our documents, and the counter is waiting for both of you. Can't you spend 10 minutes getting the marriage license and take your sister to the hospital after that?"

Simon got up. "Roxie isn't feeling well, Mr. Whitford. We can get the marriage license any time, but her illness can't wait."

My father stared at him for several seconds. "I didn't say a word when you postponed this the first time, and I even told Elena to be more understanding of you when you postponed it for the 10th time, but it's the 27th time today."

He did not raise his voice, but the lobby gradually quietened. "What makes you think that Elena will always be waiting for you?"

Simon became upset. "I won't let her keep waiting for me. Once Roxie's condition stabilizes, I'll arrange for another appointment, and I'll make it up to her."

My father suddenly laughed. "Do you think she needs you to make anything up to her? What she needs is for you to stand by her side today."

Roxie tried to stand up by holding on to the back of the chair as tears brimmed in her eyes. "Please don't be mad at Simon, Mr. Whitford. This is all my fault. I shouldn't have tagged along. I'll leave right now. I promise I won't withhold them from getting their marriage license, even if I pass out on the streets."

She staggered the moment she took a step forward, and Simon quickly grabbed her in his arms. "Stop forcing yourself into things."

Simon looked at my father and said indignantly, "Roxie has already apologized, Mr. Whitford. How much more are all of you planning to force things further with an ill woman before you're finally happy?"

My father was extremely disappointed. "No one is forcing her into anything. We've prepared medication for her, called her a taxi, and are even prepared to accompany her to the hospital, but she chose to reject everything. All she wants is you."

Simon replied right away, "What's wrong with her trusting me?"

My father did not argue. All he did was turn to look at me. "Elena, you need to decide this for yourself."

His eyes had turned slightly red, but he did not force me into making any choices. I lowered my head to look at a text on my phone that read: [Wait for me.]

An announcement rang out loudly in the lobby. "If A027 does not confirm within five minutes, we will move to the next number."

A staff member popped his head from behind the counter window. "We've confirmed your information, and all we need now is both of your signatures. This is a quick procedure. You can still make it if you go to the counter now."

Everyone turned to look at Simon, and I asked him one last time, "Are you coming with me, Simon?"

Simon glanced at me and lowered his head to look at Roxie in his arms. Roxie quickly pulled away from him and said in a small voice, "You should go, Simon. I'm fine. Really."

Before she even finished her sentence, tears started falling.

Simon was silent for several seconds before finally wiping away her tears. "I'll take Roxie to the hospital first. Stop making a fuss, Elena. We can get our marriage license any time we want.

“We've been together for eight years, and you can't really think those eight years were for nothing just because we couldn't get our marriage license today."

He was convinced, and he decided on my behalf, thinking that I would still stick around for next time.

I stayed silent. All I did was return his ID, which caught Simon by surprise. "What do you mean by this?"

As I stuffed his ID back into his hand, leaving only mine behind, I said, "You can have this back." After that, I walked toward Counter 3.

"What can you do by going there alone, Elena?"

I did not turn back. "I told you before that I'll be getting my marriage license today no matter what."

Chapter 4

The moment I went up to Counter 3, I could hear hurried footsteps coming from behind me. Simon had caught up to me, and he pressed down on my ID.

"This is enough, Elena," he said to me in a whisper, looking extremely upset. "How are you planning on getting a marriage license without my ID?"

I pulled my hand away from his. "It's none of your business."

My reply sounded ridiculous to Simon. "Our families are aware that we're both here to get our marriage license. What would my parents think of you when you're acting so brashly in front of everyone?"

I felt like laughing. "You were the one who made everyone wait for you 27 times, and now you're worried about being embarrassed?"

Simon had no reply.

It was 3:56 PM, and the lobby was almost empty. The staff started to clear their counters.

My father came to me and asked in a low voice, "Have you given proper thought to this, Elena?"

I nodded. "I have."

My mother did not talk me out of anything. All she did was hold my hand. "Never let anyone make you feel bad about anything."

Simon frowned when he heard their words. "Mr. and Mrs. Whitford, Elena is just throwing a tantrum. Why would you indulge her?"

Roxie, who was sitting on the bench, suddenly leaned against the wall to help herself up. Her face was still pale, and her voice was soft. "You should stay with Elena, Simon. I'll feel bad for the rest of my life if she doesn't marry you because of me."

She tried to take a couple of steps forward but staggered. Simon turned to her right away to hold her in his arms. "Why are you still forcing yourself when you're feeling unwell?"

Roxie leaned into his arms and looked at me with reddened eyes. "We're just siblings, Elena. Are you really planning to give up eight years of your relationship just because Simon wants to take care of me?"

I did not reply to her. All I did was look at the clock on the wall. It was 3:58 PM.

"Simon." He looked up at me as I pointed at Counter 3, which was in front of us. "We can still make it if you come with me. This is your last chance."

A look of panic finally flashed in Simon's eyes, but Roxie inhaled gently in his arms, and he looked down immediately to check on her. When he looked up once more, his look of panic had turned to one of annoyance.

"Stop forcing me, Elena. I need to take Roxie to the hospital first. I'll come back again at another time. We've already postponed this 26 times. One more time won't make a difference."

I stared at him for a long time. Even at this moment, Simon still felt that I would be here waiting for him.

It was already 3:59 PM, and the staff member looked up at me with one last reminder. "You still have one minute left. You won't be able to get your marriage license today once the time is up."

Simon continued holding Roxie in his arms as he said steadfastly, "Stop throwing a tantrum, Elena. Go home first, and wait for Roxie's check-up to be done. I'll come over to see you later tonight."

I looked up at him, suddenly feeling like even my disappointment would be wasted on him.

That was when the glass doors to the lobby were slammed open, and a deep voice came from behind them.

"She won't be waiting for you any longer."

Simon jerked back to see who it was.

Jamie Callum, his older brother, appeared in a dark suit with his ID in hand. He was headed right toward me. When Simon saw who it was, he turned pale right away. "Jamie? What are you doing here?"

Jamie glanced at the time and replied, "I'm here to get married."

Simon went blank for several seconds before shielding himself behind me. "Elena is my fiancée!"

Jamie finally looked at him, but there was no warmth in his eyes. "You've made her wait 26 times, and she's not waiting anymore."

Simon clenched his fists. "This is between her and me. What right do you have to poke your nose into this?"

"The right was given to me when she called me here."

That one sentence from Jamie was enough to silence the entire lobby. Simon stood dumbstruck, finally realizing that I was not making an empty threat. Jamie continued ignoring Simon and came up to me, showing me his ID.

"Elena, I'm asking you one last time. Have you really thought things through?"

I looked at Simon, who still had Roxie in his arms, and nodded. "Yes, I have."

Jamie reached out his hand to me. "All right. Let's go get married."