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Every time we go to the civil affairs bureau, Lu Yuan always has countless excuses to avoid it. Today is the Qixi Festival, and I thought we could finally get our marriage certificate smoothly. But he impatiently shook off my hand and said, "It's just a piece of paper. We've already had our wedding; what do we need that paper for?" I finally left resolutely, but after the breakup, he kept trying to cling to me in every possible way.
Chapter 1
"Dina, stop it. I have something urgent," Wally Swanson said irritably.
"What could be more important than getting our marriage certificate?" Tears blurred my vision.
Wally couldn't meet my eyes, his tone full of helplessness. "Isn't marriage just a formality? Don't be so naive."
I was unwilling to give up, clutching his arm tightly, trying to awaken his last sense of responsibility. "Don't delay any longer. Let's get the certificate today. It's Valentine's Day."
Unexpectedly, he pushed me away abruptly and left without hesitation, as if he couldn't get away fast enough.
I collapsed into a chair, staring at the unfinished marriage registration form, feeling so heartbroken that I couldn't breathe.
The staff and other couples getting their marriage certificates cast sympathetic glances my way.
This was the sixth time Wally and I had come to the office to get our certificate. We were so familiar with this place.
It was Valentine's Day, and it was also our seventh time here.
Each time, either Wally didn't show up, or he changed his mind at the last minute.
The staff here were well aware of our situation.
Wally and I had a stable relationship from the time we were in school to the time we got engaged.
Shortly after our engagement, Wally expressed a desire to further his studies and temporarily put off marriage.
Foolishly, I thought he was driven and supported his decision to study abroad, even against my family's objections.
For Wally's dreams, I distanced myself from my family and even gave up my career opportunities.
He got into a top business school and was gone for three years.
During those years, despite the distance, I supported him fully, and our love only grew stronger.
I met all his needs, including financial ones, to the best of my ability.
However, when he returned with a prestigious degree, he became increasingly distant from me, the small-town girl.
Under pressure from both families, we held a grand wedding, appearing to be the most loving couple in everyone's eyes.
But I was lost in my illusion of happiness, completely unaware of Wally's change.
Wally said that he had just entered the workplace and needed time to advance his career. His career was the most important thing and I should take care of everything at home so that he could focus on his career and not have to worry about anything at home.
Yet, two years into our marriage, we still hadn't gotten the marriage certificate. Every time I brought it up, he had various excuses to delay.
From having no doubt at the beginning, to the self-deception later, and then to that ridiculous night that I couldn't bear to look back on.
I saw him kissing and hugging another woman, reluctant to part.
That woman was his first love, Ella Mills.
It turned out he never let go of her, and he went abroad to study to follow her.
While I naively waited for his return for three years, they had rekindled their romance and built a love home abroad.
Every time he postponed getting the certificate, it was to give Ella an explanation, not wanting to exclude her from our marriage.
My faith in love shattered and my heart shattered into pieces.
I met Ella by chance, and we swapped phone numbers, thinking she was just a regular friend.
Not long after, her social media updates caught my attention.
"Only he can appear by my side anytime during these beautiful moments."
"Over the years, only he has given me endless love and care."
The accompanying picture showed Wally busy at Ella's home. He was wearing an apron and cooking in the kitchen.
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