The moment Gloria saw Nicole, the former set down her teacup and stood up with a smile. “Where have you been? I’ve been waiting for you for so long!”
This was the first time Nicole had interacted with Gloria alone. She quietly dodged Gloria’s outstretched hand, asking, “Is something the matter?”
“Oh, I was just talking to Olivia on the phone. She said that Matt’s school needs the kids‘ parents‘ marriage certificates so they can register him for secondary education,” Gloria said brightly. “Olivia asked me to come and pick it up since she’s busy.”
Gloria then extended a hand to Nicole. “You can just give the certificate to me.”
Nicole paused, looking up at Gloria.
Nicole’s marriage to Hayden had never been formally registered. The document didn’t even have her
name on it.
Nicole wasn’t sure if Gloria was doing this on purpose so she could look at the certificate herself, or
because the latter genuinely needed the document.
It was true that Nicole hadn’t bothered with these matters in the past seven years. Hayden would always take care of anything that required their marriage certificate or any such official documents. That was why Nicole had never personally seen the certificate in all these years.
Nicole knew that Hayden usually kept important documents in the safe in his study. Her hands curled into fists as she said to Gloria, “Why don’t you go to Hayden directly? He keeps them in his safe, which I don’t
know the passcode to-”
“I know what it is,” Gloria cut her off suddenly. “Hayden told me before. The passcode is Matthew’s
birthday.”
Gloria then cocked an eyebrow and gestured with her hand. “Could you help me grab it? Olivia’s still
waiting for me. She needs it by tomorrow morning.”
Nicole’s heart sank. Hayden had never revealed his safe’s passcode to Nicole. Perhaps it was because he didn’t want her to find out that they weren’t actually married.
Yet, Hayden had revealed it to Gloria just like that.
Well, Gloría and Hayden were the perfect couple, after all. It was only right that she knew.
Nicole gently released her clenched fists.
She then went upstairs to Hayden’s study and opened his safe. The marriage certificate was right inside.
Nicole took it out after a brief pause.
She had figured that the marriage certificate would belong to Gloria and Hayden. She didn’t expect to see
Chapter 40
her own face staring back at her when she opened it to look.
It was a photo of Nicole and Hayden, both grinning at the camera.
Nicole felt so silly looking at it.
2/2
She still remembered how overjoyed she’d been for three whole days after their marriage certificate was issued. She hadn’t even been able to sleep properly.
Every night, Nicole would look at the marriage certificate, which she kept tucked underneath her pillow. Hayden had still been sharing the same bed with her then, and they would often fantasize about their future together.
So Hayden had been putting up an act even then. He’d been so skilled that Nicole hadn’t noticed anything wrong at all.
Nicole’s vision began blurring with tears. She quickly blinked them away.
Even though she’d long since let go of Hayden, the fact that she’d wasted seven years loving the wrong person still made her heart ache.
Nicole quickly got up with the marriage certificate in hand.
The door opened just then, and in came Hayden, looking all worried.
Chapter 50
