Chapter 1

Three years after our wedding ceremony, my legal marital status was still blank.

Every single time we were about to sign the marriage license at City Hall, something would go wrong with Julian’s resident intern.

This was the ninety-ninth time. Right before we took the final photo for our certificate, his phone rang, and he rushed off again.

I couldn't talk him out of it, nor could I stop him. Predictably, I saw him on Lily’s Instagram.

[I was so clumsy and grabbed the wrong meds, sending the patient into shock. I was terrified, but thankfully my mentor rushed back just in time to save the day.]

[I know I can be a bit careless, but I’m trying my hardest.]

[He said I’m the best. I really love my mentor so much!]

The clerk at City Hall gave me a sympathetic look and asked if I wanted to reschedule.

I shook my head, turned around, and dialed my lifelong rival’s number.

"Ethan, I need a groom right now. Interested?"

The other end fell silent for a full ten seconds before Ethan’s lazy chuckle came through.

"To what do I owe the honor, Chloe? But..."

He dragged out his words deliberately. "A guy you despise so much... do I even qualify to be your husband?"

He wasn't wrong. I’d never liked Ethan.

From our clash at the college debate tournament to our cutthroat corporate rivalry after graduation, we’d been at each other’s throats for five years.

Just last week, we got into a heated argument at a bidding meeting that had the entire industry talking.

Right now, though, I couldn't care less. I got straight to the point:

"Are you coming or not? If not, I’m moving on to the next guy."

"...Tch." He clicked his tongue impatiently. "Send me the address."

Half an hour later, Ethan’s flashy black sports car pulled up outside City Hall.

He wore a tailored suit, his hair neatly styled—probably just rushing over from a high-stakes meeting.

Yet that familiar smirk remained plastered across his face.

"Well, well. Stood up again?"

He strode in, glanced at the empty waiting room, and fixed his gaze on me.

"Looks like good old Dr. Wright ran off to play hero again? What is this, the ninety-ninth time? You really are the most stubborn woman I’ve ever met, Chloe."

The clerk asked hesitantly, "And you two are...?"

Ethan wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest.

"Can't you tell? We’re here to get married."

He leaned into my ear, his warm breath grazing my skin. "If we’re putting on a show, make it convincing, boss. Play along."

My body stiffened, but I didn't push him away.

When it came time for the photo, I couldn't bring myself to smile.

Ethan gave my waist a little pinch. "Smile. It’s not like I forced you into this. If anyone should be frowning, it’s me."

I glared at him.

The shutter clicked.

In the photo, my brows were slightly furrowed, while Ethan smiled like a sly fox that had just gotten away with everything.

With the marriage certificate in hand, Ethan inspected it repeatedly.

"Tsk, tsk. Looks way better than that contract we won last week."

I reached for it, but he held it out of reach.

"What’s the rush? It’s not like I’m keeping it from you." He looked down at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Tell me, Chloe, are you sure you won't regret this?"

"Regret what?"

"Using me to spite Julian."

My chest tightened, but I kept my face blank.

"It’s just a marriage of convenience. We both get what we need."

"Haven't you been trying to get your hands on that Eastside development plot through my family?"

The amusement in Ethan’s smile faded slightly. He shoved the certificate into my hand.

"Fine. Straight to the point as always."

"Just make sure you figure out how to explain this to your doctor. I don't feel like being branded as the side piece who ruined your fairy tale."

I gripped the paper tightly, my knuckles turning white.

"I’ll handle it. You don't need to worry."

Julian and I had been together for eight years.

He was a brilliant surgeon, and I was an heiress to a prominent business family.

From college to our careers, everyone said we were a match made in heaven.

Everything changed three years ago when he took Lily under his wing.

She was his mentor’s daughter—petite, delicate, with wide, innocent doe eyes.

She fainted at the sight of blood, so Julian reassigned her to the easiest tasks.

She was scared of night shifts, so Julian stayed by the nurse’s station all night.

She made countless reckless mistakes, and Julian cleaned up every single mess.

On Instagram, Lily flaunted the breakfasts and gifts Julian bought her, always captioning them, "Best mentor ever."

My friends warned me to be careful, but Julian insisted I was overthinking.

At first, I made scenes too.

Julian would always look at me helplessly. "Chloe, she’s just a kid. Her parents trusted me to look after her. I can't just abandon her."

Later, even our marriage registrations were delayed because of her.

From the first time to today, it had happened ninety-nine times.

I had dressed up and put on my best makeup, waiting at City Hall, only for him to ditch me over a single phone call from Lily.

Disappointment builds up drop by drop.

Until today, when I saw that picture on Lily’s Instagram of Julian’s back as he fixed her mess.

Along with his comment left just minutes before: [It’s okay now. Don’t be scared, I’m here.]

Suddenly, holding on for eight years felt like a complete joke.