Chapter 16 The Marriage Certificate
“Mrs. Donovan, I really don’t know what else to do.” Serena said, looking like she was on the verge of tears. “I never asked you for anything, but please, can you find it in your heart to let me marry Chris?”
Linda’s voice tightened with worry. “Let’s not do anything rash, sweetheart. Please put the knife down. You don’t want to hurt yourself.”
Serena wiped away a tear, her face a picture of innocence and vulnerability. “Mrs. Donovan, just promise me,” she begged, her voice trembling. “I’ve never tried to fight with Eleanor, but she’s always been jealous of me. She’s been with Chris just to get under my skin. It’s like she set me up, just like she had people kidnap me before. Please, for my father’s sake, just help me out.”
Linda’s expression faltered as Serena’s words hit hard. She shook her head. “Serena, I can promise you anything, but not this. The invitations are already sent out. If we suddenly change things now, it’s going to look like a joke.”
Serena clenched her fists, her smile faltering. She cursed Linda under her breath. Of course, Linda only cared about her biological daughter. Serena kept her composure, though, not letting any anger slip through.
“I’m pregnant. The baby’s Chris’s, Serena said softly, her words hanging in the air like a bombshell.
Linda froze, not sure if she’d heard right. She blinked and asked. “What did you just say?‘
“I didn’t want this to happen,” Serena sniffled, wiping her eyes. “But it’s the way things turned out. Mrs. Donovan, please, for the sake of the baby, just agree to it.”
Linda’s gaze locked on Serena’s face, then slowly dropped to her stomach. Her face turned pale.
Serena examined her expression. Sensing the tension, she spoke up. “Are you upset?”
Of course, Linda was upset. She’d raised this girl, and now, after all this time, Serena was telling her she was pregnant out of wedlock.
“If this makes you angry, I can get rid of the baby and break up with Chris,” Serena said, her voice thick with emotion. “I just… I just need your help.”
Linda’s voice was cold as she asked, “Was Chris forcing you, or was it mutual?”
Serena blushed, lowering her eyes. “It was mutual. Chris said he didn’t care about the past. He even wanted to go after Eleanor, but I convinced him otherwise.”
Linda stared at Serena, stunned. Successfully unlocked! disbelief. She could hardly believe what she was hearing. But before she could process, the chilling thought hit her. “Chris actually said that?”
“Yes,” Serena said softly.
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“He’s waiting outside. Maybe you need a talk with him?”
Chapter 16 The Marriage Certificate
Linda’s expression darkened. “Eleanor is my daughter, and no matter what, I’ll protect her,” she said. “But if Chris truly feels that way about her, and you two really care for each other, then… fine. You and Chris can get married next week. But let’s leave the past behind and focus on the future.”
Serena’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction, but she quickly hid it behind a look of gratitude. “Thank you, Mrs. Donovan, but Chris said there’s no need for an
engagement. We might as well just get married. I can’t wait any longer, especially with this baby on the way.”
Linda’s eyes narrowed as she studied Serena, a flash of suspicion crossing her mind. For the first time, she noticed a more calculating side to Serena that hadn’t been there.
before.
“Don’t worry, Mrs. Donovan,” Serena said smoothly, her voice soft but confident. “Once I’m married into the Langford family, I’ll always be grateful to the Donovan family. I’ll make sure to keep the peace with Eleanor, too.” She paused, giving Linda a sweet smile. “And as for those nasty rumors online, Chris will handle it. I promise, no one will dare say a word against Eleanor.”
Linda sighed, a headache beginning to build. “Fine, for now, we’ll leave it at that,” she muttered, “But until we find Eleanor, just… hold it together. I need some rest now. You‘ re free to do whatever.”
Serena smiled brightly, her expression the picture of innocence. “Thank you. I’m so glad we’re on the same page.”
Linda’s steps wavered as she turned to leave. One of the maids quickly helped her to her room, and poured her a glass of water.
Linda’s hands trembled as she took the glass. “Did I really make the right call?” she muttered. “Does Chris really hate Eleanor that much? They’ve known each other since they were kids…”
The maid, hesitantly, spoke up. “Madam, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you. A few days
Chris’s photo ago, I saw Miss Eleanor crying alone in her room. She even cut
up Mr.
Chris’s photo and asked me to burn it. Shouldn’t marriage be about love between two people?”
Linda said nothing but shook her head. In their family, marriage was more about alliances and business than Jove. She’d hoped Eleanor would marry into the Langford family to secure their standing. Now, with one unwilling to marry and the other unwilling to be married to them, maybe Serena was the solution.
Meanwhile, Eleanor was rubbing her nose, wondering who was talking behind her back.
Keith had already sorted out the residential issues and handed her back the household file. She was now waiting for Tyler outside the City Hall.
Eleanor crossed her arms behind her back, her toes tracing random circles on the floor.
Chapter 16 The Marriage Certificate
Was this a rash decision? She pondered. If she wanted to back out now, could she still
make a run for it?
“How long have you been waiting?” A deep voice suddenly interrupted her thoughts.
Eleanor looked up to find Tyler’s concerned gaze. “Not too long,” she answered casually.
“Alright. Let’s go in,” Tyler said, taking her hand.
“Are you sure this is what you want?” Eleanor whispered.
“Yes.” Tyler’s tone was firm. “There’s one thing we should discuss. We can handle the marriage certificate first, but the wedding… we’ll deal with it later.”
“Whatever,” Eleanor said nonchalantly. “You’re such a great guy, Tyler.”
Tyler’s eyes flickered. “I’m not a great guy. I’m just good to the people I care about.”
Half an hour later, Eleanor looked at the marriage certificate in her hands, weighing it thoughtfully before laughing. “Serena’s always trying to one–up me. If she found out I married you, she’d be livid. So, tell me, Tyler, if she ever came after you, would you say yes?”
Tyler gave her a soft glance, his fingers gently tapping her nose. “I’m not blind, Eleanor,” he answered. “I know exactly what’s going on.”
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