Even now, I can’t understand — how could Dorian say he loved only me while smiling and kissing Liora?
Just then, a new message from Dorian arrived:
[Baby, don’t rush back to the hospital. I’ll head to the south side of the city to buy your favorite cake and bring it to you later.]
[Don’t worry about gaining weight. Something sweet will make you feel better!]
That was the final blow.
I collapsed, unable to hold back the heartache anymore.
He had completely forgotten.
I love cakes from the north side of the city. The ones from the south are Liora’s favorite.
Those cakes contain almond powder.
But I’m allergic to almonds.
He used to remember everything about me — every detail, every preference, every allergy.
So is he simply forgetting now, or does he just not care anymore?
I turned off my phone, shut my eyes, and let the tears fall silently, tracing a warm path down my cheeks.
That night, I returned to the hospital alone.
Dorian called repeatedly and flooded my inbox with messages after he got home, but I didn’t respond to any of them.
The following morning, I was discharged.
Today was the day Alaric and I would register our marriage.
The Office of Civil Administration hadn’t opened yet, but Alaric was already waiting outside.
When I saw him, I paused.
After several years apart, he hadn’t changed much from how I remembered him. His face — the one that captivated so many — was still striking, but now, he carried a calmer, steadier aura. Perhaps years immersed in research had shaped that quiet, rational demeanor.
As he approached me, I noticed his brows gradually knitting tighter.
“You don’t look well,” he said bluntly.
I blinked, momentarily stunned. No one — aside from the doctors and nurses — had shown any real concern for my condition since I woke from the accident.
I forced a smile. “Just a minor car accident. Nothing serious.”
But his expression turned grave. “A car accident? Where were you hurt? Does it still hurt?”
His voice, so unexpectedly gentle, made my chest tighten. I quickly looked down, trying to hide the sudden wetness in my eyes. But the ache in my voice betrayed me. “I broke a few ribs.”
Alaric reached out instinctively, but stopped just short of touching my shoulder. Instead, he gently grasped my wrist.
“Come on, I’m taking you back to the hospital.”
I held his arm and stopped him. “No, I already left the hospital. Let’s just get the marriage certificate first.”
“What marriage certificate?” he said, frowning. “It’s just a piece of paper. How can that matter more than your health?”
His words brushed softly over the raw wound in my heart.
I smiled, this time with a hint of certainty. “Alaric, I want to marry you. I want to be your lawful wife.”
His entire body tensed, and the stern expression on his face faltered. I caught a faint flush creeping up to his ears.
He turned away awkwardly but reached out to support me carefully. “Alright. Let’s get married.”
The registration process was surprisingly quick. I stared at the little red book in my hands, still not quite believing it was real.
“Now, can I take you back to the hospital?” Alaric asked.
I nodded, but added, “There’s something I need to tell you first.”
“What is it?”
“I accepted the institute’s offer. In six days, we’ll officially be colleagues.” I extended my hand to him with a smile. “Looking forward to working with you, partner.”
His eyes widened slightly. “You’re going back to the institute?”
“I am.”
He hesitated. “Have you really thought this through? Once you're in, there’ll be no contact with the outside world. What about... your boyfriend?”
I interrupted without hesitation. “What boyfriend? I only have a husband now — you.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve made up my mind.” I gave his hand a light shake, sealing the handshake.
“There’s one more thing,” I added. “There’s a wedding in six days. Would you be willing to be my groom?”
Surprise flashed in his eyes once more, and his ears turned a brighter shade of red.
“I do,” he said quietly.
