The Bride He Was Warned Not to Marry Chapter 04
On the day we were supposed to get our marriage license, I got out of the car with William.
Sarah followed me, looking distracted. She tugged at my sleeve, wanting to say something.
“Emily, maybe you should think it over. Getting married is a big deal.”
I pulled my arm away, my voice cold. “I’ve thought it through. But since today is important, I’m waiting for some friends to join us.”
William didn’t think much of it.
People moved around us, couples waiting in line for licenses, others in the divorce area who couldn’t stand the sight of each other.
If I hadn’t known William had set this whole thing up, I might have believed it.
But it was all a performance for my benefit.
Right before we were supposed to go to the window, Sarah said she didn’t feel well and needed to use the restroom.
After she left, William’s phone rang. I glanced at the screen, the name said “Sarah – Work.”
Last year, he had hired a new assistant named Sarah. I asked him why he’d suddenly replaced his old assistant.
He brushed it off, saying he didn’t want me to overthink.
That must have been when they started sneaking around.
William stepped aside to take the call. I put in my earbuds and started recording.
I heard him and Sarah clearly.
“William, let’s stop this. If Emily ever finds out none of this is real, it’ll destroy her more than anything.”
“I can’t stop now, Sarah. We’re already legally married. This time, I’m giving you and our baby a real place in the world.”
“As for Emily, we just make sure she never finds out.”
Hearing with my own ears that they had already gotten married behind my back, I felt my heart rip apart all over again.
Hatred spread through me like poison.
William hung up and walked back to me, smiling. “Emily, it’s our turn.”
I let him take my hand and lead me inside, my face expressionless.
In my ear, the future William wouldn’t stop talking.
“Take my advice. Emily is a monster. She’s going to kill Sarah.”
William tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “You look beautiful today, Emily. I’m going to make you the happiest woman in the world.”
Up ahead, a photographer, likely part of William’s setup, signaled for us to move closer together.
“You can have Emily. I only want Sarah. I want her to be okay. Later, she lost the baby, and Emily destroyed her reputation. I already owe her so much. Just don’t let Emily find out the truth.”
William’s fingers tightened. He led me to the counter.
The clerk, another actor, no doubt, looked over our documents and then at us. “Just confirming: you’re both here voluntarily, no coercion, no close family relation, correct?”
“Yes.”
“Alright. I’m going to stamp your marriage license now. From this moment, your marriage is legally binding and protected by law.”
As she finished speaking, the clerk positioned the license under the embosser.
With a click, the circular seal pressed deep into the photo and across the edge of the document.
William grabbed the license, spun me around, and laughed. “Emily, as of today, you’re my wife!”
I used to imagine this scene a thousand times. But now, I pushed him away.
I looked at the document in my hands.
Then I turned and handed it to the three people who had been following me: two plainclothes detectives and a reporter.
“You have all the witnesses and evidence now, right?”
“William Harrington is already legally married to someone else. I’m here to sue him for bigamy.”
