Chapter 10
The elevator stopped on the first floor, and in walked Peach, who had just gone to pick up a package.
The moment she stepped in, I instinctively let go of Clementine’s hand.
It wasn’t that I minded being seen with him. It was just that… it felt a little awkward before Peach, like I had somehow stolen her little brother. Thankfully, Clementine didn’t make a fuss. He just gave me a quiet glance, then casually started chatting with Peach about something else.
I chimed in here and there, and as the conversation went on, she suddenly nudged him aside and pulled me over to show me some juicy gossip on her phone. Clementine suddenly piped up, “Peach?”
“What?” She was annoyed.
“Can you guess how I spent five dollars today?”
Peach was confused. “What are you talking about?”
Recalling how Clementine had “accidentally” dropped our marriage certificate earlier, I knew something was up. I was about to stop him, but he had already pulled it out before Peach. Under the bright elevator lights, he kept raising it and reviewing the certificate, which soon caught her attention. I ended up covering my face in embarrassment.
The next second, she shrieked, “You two got married?”
With a chime, the elevator stopped. The doors opened, revealing the Harmon parents, hand in hand, ready to head out.
We all stood there, five of us staring at each other in silence.
In the end, the gentle and kind Mrs. Harmon asked, “Who got married?”
An hour later, Mr. and Mrs. Harmon brought Clementine to my parents‘ place to apologize.
First, they expressed their sincere apology for their son’s reckless act. Then, Clementine poured out his heartfelt emotions, even detailing his family’s assets and offering to sign a prenuptial agreement with me.
During this process, he swore that if he were ever unfaithful, he would leave with nothing and spend the rest of his life without remarriage. It was a sharp, indirect jab at Kai. My parents hesitated, sensing that he lacked maturity and still carried the naivety of youth.
However, thanks to Peach’s persistent praises–calling him an innocent, idealistic researcher–and their trust in the Harmon family’s reputation for integrity, they softened. Furthermore, they had watched him grow up. Most importantly, though, Clementine and I were already legally married.
In the end, Mom and Dad respected my decision and began discussing wedding plans with Mr. and Mrs. Harmon.
I told them it wasn’t necessary, as I wanted to travel with Clementine instead. It wasn’t that I had developed a psychological aversion to traditional ceremonies, but rather, I felt that exploring something new could be worthwhile.
Clementine simply said yes to my plan. Later, I learned that he had promised to help a senior colleague for six months in order to take time off from his research institute.
The day we left for our vacation was bright and sunny.
Clementine said the sunrise would be beautiful when we arrived at our destination. I was drowsy in the passenger seat, feeling him raise the temperature in the car and gently drape a coat over my shoulders.
In a daze, I seemed to hear him ask if I would regret my decision.
I didn’t have the answer to that myself, but there was one thing I knew–I would never lack the courage to start all over again.
