4: 4
4
At three in the afternoon, a reminder popped up on my phone.
*Your marriage-license appointment is scheduled for today at 4:20 p.m. Both parties please bring valid ID and arrive on time.*
A second later, Eugene sent a screenshot of the appointment.
"I've already given you a way out."
"Get to the county clerk's office before four, and I'll forgive the scene you made today. We register as planned."
Then Eugene sent a voice message.
"But before we register, you have to apologize to my parents."
"And to Maura."
"You and your parents humiliated her in front of everyone today. She cried for a long time."
"As long as you own up to it sincerely, we'll call it settled."
I replied calmly, two words.
"Sure."
The group chat went quiet for a few seconds.
Then Eugene tagged Maura in the group.
"I win."
Maura sent back a reluctant little emoji.
"A bet's a bet."
"When you two go on your honeymoon, I'm coming along."
Eugene immediately sent a flight order with an added passenger.
"Ticket's already booked for you."
So it turned out that even the honeymoon I'd been looking forward to for so long had become a prize on their betting table too.
At 4:15, I showed up at the county clerk's office right on time.
Eugene was standing at the entrance to the registration hall.
When he saw me, the tension finally drained from his face.
"Good thing you came to your senses."
"My parents and Maura are all waiting at the hotel."
"After we register, I'll go back with you to apologize."
As he spoke, he held out his hand.
"Give me your ID."
I didn't move.
The next second, two police officers stepped out from behind me.
"Mr. Weiss?"
"Someone has filed a report accusing you of using another person's account without authorization and transferring six hundred eighty thousand dollars."
The smile froze on Eugene's face.
"Using it without authorization? What are you talking about?"
"That's our wedding account!"
I took out the bank statement and the hotel contract.
"The account is in my name. Every cent in it is mine."
"You stole my payment password while I was asleep, then impersonated me to confirm the payment with the hotel."
"The hotel's security footage, the transfer records, and the chat evidence—I've already handed all of it over to the police."
An officer stepped forward and clamped a hand around his wrist.
Eugene finally panicked.
"Marilyn, aren't you here to register with me?"
I looked at him and smiled softly.
"No."
"I'm here to send you to jail."
