That evening, I had a video call with Oscar.
This was my first time “talking” face–to–face with him since my rebirth, and I felt somewhat nervous.
We agreed to go to the civil affairs bureau to get our marriage certificate on the morning of his return.
Although we were about to become husband and wife, I still found it a bit amusing, considering we barely knew each other.
Avery called immediately after, interrogating me: “Amanda, where did you get the money to buy such an expensive wedding dress? You haven’t been doing something shady behind my back, have you? And your behavior at the bridal shop today was deliberately targeting Stella, wasn’t it? Didn’t I warn you to stop bothering my fiancée? You’ve been busy preparing for a wedding these past few days just to force me to marry you, right? Let me tell you, no matter what you do, I will never marry you!”
I had just finished my call with Oscar and was in a good mood, but Avery completely ruined it. Irritated to my core, I snapped back: “Avery, this is the last time I’m explaining this to you—the person I’m marrying is not you!”
He was driving me absolutely insane, but no matter how I
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explained, he refused to believe me.
2/5
That night, Avery updated his Facebook: “Getting our marriage certificate on the 18th of this month with my first love. All friends are welcome to witness our happiness!”
Good for them, they were getting their certificate. As fate would have it, Oscar and I had scheduled to get ours on the same day.
Avery had been busy taking wedding photos with Stella these past few days, so he hadn’t bothered me again.
On the day we were to get our certificates, I wore my multi–million yuan wedding dress and waited for Oscar outside the civil affairs bureau. Just thinking about his stunned expression when he would see me made me smile softly. I deliberately waited until after Avery and Stella had gone inside before getting out of my car, as I didn’t want any unnecessary trouble on such an important day.
But unexpectedly, I couldn’t avoid it.
“Amanda? Is that you?” A man who entered after me called out, immediately drawing the attention of Avery’s group waiting in line ahead.
“My God, today is Brother Ji and his wife’s big day, and you’re dressed so formally? You’re truly a dedicated pathetic follower, wearing a wedding dress and chasing him all the way to the civil affairs bureau!”
Hearing the commotion, Avery walked over. When he saw it was
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3/5
really me, his face darkened with contempt, and he shouted: “Amanda, what are you doing here? Dressed like this? How desperate can you be? Do you think I’ll marry you if you do this? If that’s what you’re thinking, you’re wasting your time! I will never marry you. The only person I’m marrying is Stella!” As he spoke, he pulled Stella close and looked at me provocatively.
I was both speechless and amused. I said firmly, “I’ve told you, the person I’m marrying is not you! I’m dressed like this, but not for you! My fiancé will be here any minute, so please stay away from me!”
His friends burst into laughter, mocking me for going to extremes to marry Avery, joking that I had taken being a “desperate admirer” to a new level.
“Amanda, we’re all tired of your playing hard to get! Stop dreaming–Brother Ji is about to get his marriage certificate with his fiancée! If you’re that desperate to get married, just pick one of us. Honestly, I’d like to try being Brother Ji’s ‘devoted follower‘ for once!”
With a disdainful smirk, Avery sneered: “You guys are really interested in such a boring, flavorless woman? Forget it, whoever can get her, she’s yours. I wouldn’t take her even if she were given to me for free!”
Hearing Avery’s insulting words, my anger boiled over. I raised my hand to slap him, but he caught my wrist.
I glared at him fiercely, my eyes burning with rage: “Avery, are you incapable of understanding? I’ve said it before—the person
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I’m marrying today is not you! And the person I’ve always wanted to marry was never you!”
4/5
He didn’t get angry; instead, he laughed with cruel amusement: “Amanda, who would believe that? You’ve been dreaming of marrying me since you were five, and every Christmas for years you’ve been crazy in love with me, even resorting to forcing a marriage. But now you say you’re not marrying me? Fine, tell me then, where is this person you’re dressed up for? It’s been quite a while, and they’re still nowhere to be seen?”
I yanked my hand away from his grip, my face flushed red. His humiliating words had brought tears to my eyes.
Just then, a deep voice sounded from behind me: “Avery, let her go!”
