There was a time when Marcella, like any newlywed, wanted to frame her marriage certificate.
But the moment Grady heard about it, his face twisted with distaste.
Right in front of her parents, he declared that if she dared to frame it, he’d tear it up on the spot.
Thinking back to that moment, Marcella shook her head, finding her past self almost laughable.
Now, the off-white marriage certificate just sat on the bookshelf.
When she opened it, her hand froze midair.
Her face in the wedding photo had been covered with a sticker—Zeth’s oversized headshot.
Next to it, in scribbled handwriting, were the words: [My dad and my mom]
The sun blazed outside, yet a cold chill crept up from the soles of her feet.
She had no idea what she’d done wrong. Why was Seth so desperate to make Zeth his new mother?
Marcella shut the marriage certificate and took a deep breath, eyes closed.
‘It’s fine, Marcella. It doesn’t matter anymore. None of it matters anymore.’
When she opened her eyes again, clarity had returned.
As she turned around, she saw Grady standing in the study, though she had no idea when he’d arrived.
“What are you looking for? On the phone just now, I heard someone say they were coming to pick you up. Where are you going?”
His gaze landed on the marriage certificate and household registration book, suspicion written all over his face.
She couldn’t let him find out—so she lied.
“I scheduled a check-up. The driver’s coming to get me.”
Grady stayed silent as if weighing the truth of her words.
Just as she was about to walk past him, he grabbed her wrist.
“I’ll go with you.”
“There’s no need. I can handle it myself.”
The moment she refused, Grady’s brows knitted together.
In their marriage, the mere mention of him accompanying her anywhere would have sent her over the moon. From the second he spoke, she would’ve been anticipating it eagerly.
But now, there wasn’t a trace of excitement on her face. She remained indifferent.
Sensing her rejection, Grady tightened his grip.
“What’s really wrong with you? All I did was let Zeth use the bathroom! Is that really such a big deal?”
Marcella turned to glare at him, her eyes cold.
“Just the bathroom?”
The sudden confrontation stunned him.
Something flickered in his gaze—guilt.
For the first time, he avoided looking at her.
“This is ridiculous! I try to be nice, and you act like I’ve done something terrible! Fine, if you’re so eager to go to the hospital without me, suit yourself!”
Grady suddenly yanked his hand away, spitting out the words like she was the one being unreasonable.
Marcella let out a mocking laugh. ‘He’s guilty, all right.’
Not long after she handed her documents to the staff, she received a message.
[Miss Westerman, your marriage has been officially dissolved. To ensure your child’s safety, his status will be updated to adoption.]
The moment she read it, a weight lifted from her chest.
She no longer had to live under the fear of Grady leaving her.
This time, she was the one who left him.
Just as she put her phone away, it rang again.
It was Grady’s mother.
“Come to the family estate.”
That was all she said before hanging up.
She didn’t even give Marcella a chance to refuse.
His family had always been like this—looking down on her.
Yet Grady was the one who insisted on marrying her in the first place.
Later, right as Marcella reached the family estate, a woman’s playful laughter rang out from inside.
