On the way, it was quiet in the car. Noah occasionally switched his gaze between the road and Grace beside him.
"What are you thinking about?" Noah asked softly.
"Everything," she replied briefly and then turned to Noah. "You have no intention of canceling this wedding and lending me money unconditionally like this, Noah?"
Grace was still considering her decision, even though she had answered Noah.
Noah didn't budge, but he pulled the car over to the left side of the road slowly.
"It's not too late to change your mind. But just so you know, Grace If you stick to your decision, I'll stick to mine too," Noah said seriously, and Grace looked at him while searching for a speck of doubt. But unfortunately, Noah still seemed to be firm in his words.
'If I cancel our wedding, what about Mom? I don't know where else to go to earn money for my mom,' the memory of her mother came back.
'No! I can't cancel this wedding. I shouldn't be hesitating like this.
'My mom has to get well. I have to sacrifice myself. About Mom's anger, just think about it later. If she doesn't approve of our relationship, we can still divorce.
The last keyword in Grace's mind came out as she looked at Noah, who was waiting for an answer.
But those words somehow made Grace's heart sad.
"Alright. Let's continue on our way. I still have to go to the hospital." Grace finally broke down and didn't want to complicate things anymore.
'Yes, I just have to get married today. There are still many ways, and I will think about everything again when my debt to Noah is paid off,' she continued muttering as she looked out the window.
Noah didn't ask any more questions either. He drove the car in silence to the nearest registry office.
Some time passed, and they arrived there. Noah told Grace to wait because he was going to register, and soon Noah returned with a beaming smile.
"Come on, it's our turn," Noah said as he approached Grace and extended his hand again.
"So fast? Is getting married that easy?" Grace was stunned, but Noah kept smiling.
"Everything is complete. I've been preparing all the data to marry you since a year ago. And this day has finally come."
'How much do you love me that you've been preparing details like this for so long, Noah?' Grace gasped and was touched. She was even more convinced that Noah wasn't messing around and wanted to marry her.
Noah took Grace's hand, who never greeted him, and asked, "Why are you daydreaming? Come on, it's not good to delay a good thing," he urged gently.
Grace nodded weakly and began to rise from her seat.
"But Noah, I'm nervous," she said softly as her grip on Noah's hand tightened. She felt like a thief, stealing her mother's blessing.
Noah smiled and brought his face close to Grace's ear, saying, "You'll be nervous later... on our first night."
Suddenly, Grace's face turned red. She immediately let go of Noah's hand and walked in first, leaving Noah to flirt more intensely with her.
Both of them were now subjected to a series of questions that had to be answered before the sacred moment of marriage vows.
"Miss Grace, is it true that this marriage is for love and not because of coercion from certain parties or anything like that?" The registrar in front of the two asked the question he was obliged to ask.
Grace was silent for a moment. She turned to Noah, who also seemed to be waiting for her answer.
'Even though you're forced to, I'm sure that apart from the cost, you still love me, right, Grace?' Noah asked Grace through his heart.
"No, sir. I didn't get married because I was forced to. We've known each other for a long time. He was my sweetheart at high school, so I know Noah," Grace answered simply.
Although Grace answered with a flat expression, for Noah, such a sweet answer made him so happy. He was happy because he was recognized by Grace.
After Grace's confession, they underwent a series of marriage procedures until they were declared husband and wife by the state.
Noah covered his eyes and face with his palms. The most precious thing in his life had now been obtained. His biggest dream so far had finally been completed. Marrying Grace, his beloved woman was now legally his in a sacred bond called marriage.
Noah turned to Grace, who was still stunned and looking at him with silent tears. He smiled and reached out his hand to gently wipe away Grace's tears before touching her head and bringing her closer.
"Thank you, darling... You're willing to be my wife," he called out before Noah gave Grace a long, deep peck on the forehead with great joy.
'Thank you, God... You allowed me to face this day. I am so happy to have Grace in your holy bond. I promise, I will never let her go again and will make her happy until death do us part,' Noah said silently.
"Ehem! Sir, sign here first. Let's go home quickly, hehe." The humorous officer cleared his throat and made them both break away from their affection.
"Ah, yes, sir. Where's the signature?" Noah answered awkwardly, as did Grace's expression.
The wedding registrar continued to smile at the newlywed couple's happiness. He directed them to take a picture for the office while the marriage certificate was being prepared.
Noah intensely held Grace's hand with a smile that seemed endless. His good looks seemed to multiply when he was happy.
Meanwhile, Grace could only smile in the face of the happiness she still felt. If there had been no problems in her life when this marriage took place, she might have been the happiest bride to be the wife of Noah Blair.
Even so, the smile on her beautiful face matched perfectly with Noah's, as their momentous occasion was captured in a wedding photo.
Noah looks close to Grace's ear again and says, "I love you so much, Darling. Thank you for being my wife," he said again in Grace's ear, and again took the time to kiss her on the forehead.
"Mr. and Mrs. Blair, the marriage certificate is complete. You can come out to take your turn with the other couples, please." A middle-aged woman came up to Grace and Noah to hand over the marriage certificate and subtly told them to get out of there so that the other couples could go through the marriage process as well.
Noah nodded and led Grace out of the room. He noticed that Grace was daydreaming as she stared at her green marriage certificate.
"Why, darling? I'm sorry that this marriage is forced. We have to get married to
"Noah, are we married?" Grace interrupted Noah again with a one-liner that managed to make Noah smile even wider.
"If you don't believe it, then what's in your hand? That means you're already my wife, Grace, darling. Noah replied happily, no longer hesitating to call Grace dear.
Today, the barriers and walls of Grace's arrogance that hated him were shattered, replaced with a special piece of paper that was proof of their love union.
"Hmm, alright. I'm going back to the hospital. Thank you, Doctor." Grace answered and ended the call, but her gaze was fixed on Noah, who didn't stop smiling."The hospital bill has been paid. That's what you did, right?"Noah only raised his eyebrows and shoulders when asked like that by Grace."Noah, answer me. You paid for my mom's hospital bills, right?" Grace asked again."Tsk. Call me 'honey, babe, or darling'. I'm already your husband," Noah grumbled instead of answering."Is it that important to talk about calling you like that right now? I'm serious, Noah. Please don't joke around!" Grace complained, "Are you still the same man who just moments ago threatened me with a cold face?""Yes, it's still me, and I need to hear you call me affectionately. And that's your first obligation because I have every right to ask you to call me that," Noah said casually.Grace hissed and tapped her forehead. She was always helpless against Noah's silliness when he teased her.Grace started to
It was almost dark when Noah's 14-billion-dollar Aston Martin finally entered the hospital area of Great Eden Hospital Center, and Noah parked his car in the parking lot reserved for the doctors there."Can I come in? I want to see Aunt Gina for a minute," Noah asked as Grace busily unbuckled her seatbelt."You want to come in to see my mom, but she's still in surgery, right? And what if my mom gets sick again after seeing you?""I can't keep you company in there anyway. I'm going straight to work after confirming the payment of the hospital bill, and even now I'm already running late," Grace said with an honest answer."Alright then. I'll visit Aunt Gina later when she's better.""For God's sake, I don't want to hide our marriage from Aunt Gina for long," he said as he stroked Grace's cheek."Already, hurry up and get inside," Noah replied, a little disappointed because he wanted to continue being with Grace even though it was a hospital, not a place to date."Hmm, I'll go in first.
'Noah Blair? I think I've heard that name before. It can't be Noah Blair, the sole heir of Cruise International, Zara Jones' fiancé, right?' Jonathan was still trying to remember the name of the man in front of him."Noah, you don't have to say anything to him. Just get out of here." Grace didn't want Noah to reveal their relationship to Jonathan unnecessarily."Come on, so the reason you're rejecting me is because you already have another guy paying off your mom's hospital bills, right? Ok, I get it," he said with a mocking smile."You're a doctor here, right? I'll make sure you receive your termination letter from this hospital if you don't watch your tongue. So now you just remember my name and stay away from my women!" Noah spoke firmly and immediately drew a clear line for Doctor Jonathan."Okay, clear enough for me," Doctor Jonathan answered Noah directly before turning to Grace. "Grace, thank you for everything. I'm sure I'll repay you someday." He said it irritably and left wi
Now, Noah's expression was colder than before he left Grace just a moment ago. He was sure the call from his mother was not as simple as expressing her longing for her son."What else is Mom up to?" he muttered in annoyance.Less than forty-five minutes passed before Noah finally arrived at his family's large mansion. As he got out and was greeted by the doorman, Noah saw a new luxury car parked there."Did my mom buy another car?" Noah asked the doorman who received his car keys."No, Mr. Noah. That's not Madame's car. It's Madame's guest car."Hearing the answer from one of the workers at the family mansion made Noah raise one eyebrow suspiciously."Well, park my car out front. I won't be here long," Noah ordered before entering the main door of the house.Just as he entered, Noah immediately noticed that there was someone other than Mrs. Sayla smiling and welcoming him into the living room."Noah, welcome. Come quickly, son. Zara's been waiting for you, you know!" Mrs. Sayla greete
Noah left his mother in anger. He went down the stairs and then passed Zara, saying, "You're coming with me." He said it coldly.Zara was both excited and anxious, but she nodded and followed Noah out of his parent's house.Noah opened the car door and said, "Come in, we'll talk inside.""Hmm, okay," Zara replied without forgetting to smile gracefully.Noah started driving his car quietly and without looking at Zara for even a second. The atmosphere was awkward, and Zara didn't know where to start."Why are you here? Don't you still have to be in London?" Noah began to ask."Hmm, I'm attending a meeting to discuss a fashion show collaboration I'm doing with a fellow designer. So I stopped by your parents' house first because I missed Uncle and Auntie," Zara answered very carefully. Noah's aura was so cold at the moment."I know what you guys are talking about isn't as simple as you say. Admit it, my mom discussed remarriage plans with you, right?" Noah's tone was colder this time."No
The truth was that Grace was still not used to it and needed a little more time to adjust to her relationship with Noah, but Noah's unyielding nature could only make Grace sigh heavily."I told you that you don't have to pick me up tonight. I can go back to my mom's by myself," Grace commented."I also told you that I would pick you up when you got off work. So don't complain too much," Noah answered calmly, but Grace realized that something was different."You don't have to stay at your mom's place anymore because we're going to live together," Noah ordered.Grace immediately refused.Noah looked at her with a complicated expression on his face. "We're already husband and wife, so we won't be living separately after we get married, right? Unless you think that with all that I've done to you, you'd be willing to let me live a lonely, dry life.""And if I get sick, then you'll ask me for a divorce. For anything, Grace. I still think that you have a mind to ask me for a divorce.""I did
Noah, who saw Grace's gloomy silence, gently tugged on Grace's chin to make them look at each other again."What are you thinking about again? Is something still missing this time?" Noah asked softly while caressing his wife's cheek.Grace shook her head softly and said, "Nothing. Everything is enough for me. It's just...""It's just what?" Noah asked again."It's just that I'm still afraid of my mom and your parents if they find out we're married. It's like a time bomb ready to explode at any moment," Grace said glumly."Even if it does go off, you won't get hurt because I'll protect you. Can't you still trust me?" Noah reaffirmed the protection of his love for Grace until Grace burst into tears.Noah kissed the tears streaming down his wife's beautiful face. He replaced the tears of sadness with the warmth of his lips."Fight your fear. Where is the Grace I know who dares to face anything, anyone? Why do you have to break down and sadden yourself just because of what outsiders say a
It was already 2 a.m., but Noah, who had finished cleaning up, was still busy with a pair of new toys in his hands until the exhausted body owner protested against her husband's naughty behavior."Noah, please. What time is it?""2 am," Noah replied casually as he savored the softness of the squishy creation of God. He was enjoying his new, eternal addiction.Grace sighed heavily, her body already exhausted from keeping up with her husband's unbelievable stamina. With her eyes reluctantly open, she grumbled again, "Don't you get tired of holding my boobs?""I'd have to be the biggest fool to get bored with a wonderful wife like you," Noah replied softly as he kissed Grace's exposed back. "Well, you go to sleep. I'll wake you up later.""You should sleep too; you're leaving early tomorrow, right?" Grace responded in her half-consciousness. She could no longer bear her sleepiness and tiredness.Noah just smiled. He freed his arms from Grace's body so that she could sleep comfortably in