Never in a million years. Did I think I'd have a shotgun wedding. Especially not to a guy I'd only met once. Ethan Hayes had a cold look on his face. "As soon as Grandpa's fully recovered, we're getting a divorce." I nodded. Fine by me. Except, later... The road to divorce took a seriously weird detour. 1 When we got back to his place. Grandpa Hayes, who was supposedly knocking on death's door. Took one look at the marriage certificate. And instantly perked up like he’d mainlined espresso. He downed two whole bowls of rice in one go. Started rambling about how he’d be holding his great-grandchild soon. I was stunned. Was this like, that legendary last burst of energy before the end?! Didn't look like it, though. The feeling of being totally scammed washed over me. The guy next to me, Ethan, looked like thunderclouds were gathering over his head. After a long silence, he finally ground out, "Grandpa, whose idea was this?" Grandpa Hayes paused, mid-bite, and didn't hesitate to throw the blame. "Chloe's grandpa." Meeting Ethan's glare, I put on my saddest face. "I had no idea. I'm a victim here." He put down his chopsticks, looking down at me. "Since Grandpa's fine, tomorrow, we get divorced." I nodded quickly. "Okay." So, I'd been a married woman for less than a day. And I was about to be single again? That was fast. Way too fast. Just then, Grandpa Hayes clutched his chest. Slumped onto the floor. Looking like he couldn't breathe. Ethan pinched the bridge of his nose, looking utterly exasperated. "Grandpa, that trick won't work." Grandpa Hayes's face went pale, his expression genuinely pained. He gasped for air, unable to speak. Ethan and I exchanged a look. Was he… not faking it this time? Grandpa Hayes ended up in the hospital. And stayed there. For a whole week. The divorce talk was put on hold. The day before he was discharged, I went to visit him again. Just as I reached the door of the VIP room, I heard him talking to the doctor. The doctor was teasing him, "You're pretty good at faking it, huh?" Grandpa Hayes laughed heartily. "Good enough to fool 'em, right?" The doctor replied, sounding slightly annoyed, "You almost gave me a heart attack." Then he added, "Ethan asked me several times about your condition. Almost blew your cover." What did I just hear??? Faking… sick? For a week? And the doctor helped him fool the family? Can I report this hospital? "Miss Miller, what are you doing just standing there? Come on in." Mrs. Davis, the housekeeper, called out, totally exposing me. Grandpa Hayes and the doctor both whipped their heads around to look at me. The door, which had been slightly ajar, was now wide open. Our eyes met. Three pairs of them. The atmosphere turned incredibly awkward. Grandpa Hayes pretended to be calm and started chatting with me. From his 'war buddy' days with my grandpa, to them starting their own families. Then about setting up a childhood engagement promise, and how my aunt had refused it. None of this was news to me. I practically knew it by heart. Finally, he said, the childhood promise my aunt didn't fulfill, Ethan and I had to complete it. I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. I peeled an apple, handed it to him, and stated my opinion clearly. "Grandpa, nobody does arranged marriages or childhood engagements anymore. This isn't the dark ages. People date freely now. Neither Ethan nor I can accept that kind of thing." If it hadn't been because Grandpa Hayes was supposedly dying last time… Ethan and I would absolutely never have gotten that marriage license. Thinking about it now, it was just ridiculously absurd. Like, peak absurdity. 2 But Grandpa Hayes insisted it was a promise between him and my grandpa, their dying wish. They couldn't wait much longer, being 'halfway in the grave' already. If the families couldn't be joined by marriage, they couldn't 'rest in peace'. Talk about dramatic. In the end, I caved. "Okay, we'll try," I said. If it really didn't work out down the line, Ethan and I would split amicably. Grandpa Hayes reluctantly agreed. Then, he immediately told me not to blow his cover. And that I needed to play along when necessary. How was I supposed to play along? My acting skills were nowhere near his Oscar-worthy performance… By the time Ethan showed up, it was pitch black outside. He hadn't been in the room long. Before Grandpa Hayes shooed him out. Told him to take me home so I could rest. Before I left, he gave me a look full of grandfatherly love. "Chloe, honey, if this boy bullies you, you tell Grandpa. Grandpa will break his legs." "Grandpa, sounds like you're feeling much better, so…" Ethan turned to look at me, his lips pressed into a thin line. "We can get divorced tomorrow." Grandpa Hayes's voice, which had just been booming with energy, instantly became weak. "Ohhh, my leg, it hurts so bad. Ouch, my back, it's so stiff..." The sudden change was almost comical. I followed Ethan into the elevator. After hesitating for a long time, I cautiously asked, "Divorce tomorrow?" The man beside me lowered his head slightly. His warm breath ghosted across my face. "We'll wait until the old man chills out a bit, then we'll divorce." Chills out? The moment divorce was mentioned, he immediately stopped chilling out. Looks like getting this divorce was going to be tough. After Grandpa was discharged. Ethan started sleeping on a makeshift bed on the floor. He did this for two nights straight. Then the man snapped. He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated. Stood by the bed. Staring at me menacingly. "Chloe Miller, let's switch." I clutched the blankets tightly, shaking my head frantically. "No way." Next thing I knew, he bundled me up in the blanket and tossed me onto the floor. My temper flared. I rolled up my sleeves. And launched myself at him, wrestling ensued. In the chaos, I… scratched… his… face. To keep the peace, I volunteered to sleep on the floor. And that's where I slept for the better part of two weeks. Until one day, I overslept. Still groggy, I forgot to put away my bedding on the floor. Result: Mrs. Davis confiscated it. That evening, I looked miserable. I begged Ethan to figure out a way to get me some bedding. The man just looked up, wearing a helpless expression. I asked him darkly, "Are you sure you won't help?" He didn't even lift his eyes from his book. I jumped onto the bed, pulled his comforter over myself, covering up completely. "Either we share the bed, half each, or you go sleep in the study." After two seconds of silence, the man spoke softly. "I'll sleep in the study." "Good luck with that," I thought, but didn't say it out loud. Don't get kicked back here by Grandpa. Turns out, his luck wasn't great. Less than an hour later, he was back. Ignoring my stifled laughter, he silently grabbed another blanket. Then warned me fiercely, "Don't cross the line." So childish. Should we draw a line down the middle? I declared confidently, "Don't worry, I sleep like a log. I never cross the line." When morning came, I discovered I hadn't just crossed the line. One of my legs was… draped over his stomach. The man was practically hanging off the edge of the bed, about to fall off. Just as I was about to silently retract my wayward leg. He tumbled onto the floor. His eyes, lazy and still heavy with sleep, met mine. Is it too late to start making excuses? "Let me explain…" His deep voice simmered with irritation. "Chloe Miller, does your face hurt?" I gave a tight-lipped smile. "Nope, I've got thick skin." 3 The next day, I worked late, until ten. Grandpa Hayes was worried about me. So he specifically sent Ethan to pick me up. The man, looking thoroughly reluctant, leaned against the car door. The look he gave me was like I was his mortal enemy. "Seriously? I'm still technically your wife, you know." I reached for the passenger door handle. The jerk pulled me back. "Sit in the back." I snorted. "Like I care." On the way, my best friend Riley sent me a voice message. "Chloe! Weekend BBQ, remember? That guy you used to crush on, Ryan? He's gonna be there! Come early!" The volume was maxed out, crystal clear. Ignoring Ethan completely, I cheerfully replied to the message. "Got it! I'll be there looking fabulous." ... The night before the weekend BBQ. Ethan specifically informed me that I needed to accompany Grandpa Hayes for a check-up the next day. My hand, applying a face mask, froze. Was he deliberately trying to get back at me? "You go with him. I have plans." The man slowly drawled, "Grandpa specifically asked for you. If you don't want to go, you can tell him yourself." Then he turned and left. Tell Grandpa myself? That I couldn't go to his check-up because I had plans to see the guy I used to crush on? Ughhh... I couldn't bring myself to say that. The next day, I ended up going to the hospital with Grandpa. It was supposed to be a check-up. But really, it was just a cover. To fool Ethan. Which was why Grandpa had insisted I come. I sat bored out of my mind on a bench outside. Grandpa was inside the office, chatting happily with that doctor. Looking at the BBQ pictures Riley was sending. My heart was weeping. Ryan looked as handsome as ever. So handsome you could spot him from the back in a crowd... After Grandpa went home. Riley said there were more plans for the evening. I rushed over immediately. Only, before I even got into the private room. I bumped into Ethan right outside the door. We made eye contact. And both chose to completely ignore each other. 4 At the dinner table. The atmosphere was lively. Amidst the clinking glasses, I got a little tipsy. Ryan Walker suddenly asked me, "Chloe, you still remember me?" My mouth, busy with crab legs, mumbled indistinctly, "Ryan, who could forget? Back in the day..." What followed was basically my drunken TED Talk. I could talk for half an hour straight without pausing for breath. In my hazy state, I grabbed his collar, complaining pitifully, "I even wrote you a love letter back then! My first ever love letter, and it just vanished without a trace, like into a black hole..." The more I thought about it, the more aggrieved I felt, tightening my grip on his collar. Everyone started teasing, demanding Ryan give an explanation. Ryan chuckled, reaching out to steady me as I swayed. "So, can I get a chance now?" I patted my head, looking extremely serious. "No chance." Everyone was surprised. "Why not?" "Because I'm already married..." Riley quickly clamped her hand over my mouth and pulled me next to her. "Chloe's drunk! Don't take her drunken ramblings seriously." I struggled free, pointing a finger at Ryan. "I really am married! My husband is..." I spun around twice. Pointed vaguely east. "He's right next door!" I don't remember much after that... When I woke up, my head was pounding. Ten missed calls, all from Riley. My gut told me I was screwed. Sure enough, Riley's voice on the message was practically vibrating with excitement. "Chloe Miller, last night, you… became… a… LEGEND." I rubbed my aching temples, asking weakly, "What did I do? I don't remember?" She calmly told me to watch the video she sent. Oh great, someone filmed the whole thing? Who has that kind of time? The video started when Ryan asked, "Can I get a chance now?" Right up until— I pointed east, "My husband is right next door." Then, amidst everyone's doubtful murmurs. I whipped out my phone and furiously tapped away. Called Ethan Hayes. And said, "Honey, come get me, I'm drunk." Silence on the phone line. Everyone looked at each other. Just as they were about to laugh at me. The man himself knocked on the door of the private room.
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