Chapter 3 Happy Marriage

• Ryan stayed silent for three seconds. Just as Clara braced herself for Ryan's outburst, he unexpectedly parted his lips and uttered a cold, single word, "Okay."
• And just like that, Clara found herself bewilderedly married. It wasn't until she held the marriage certificate in her hands that reality hit her. She was now legally tied to Ryan Wallace.
• Wait... That name sounds so familiar. It feels like I've heard it before.
• Her steps faltered as she suddenly gasped, "Ryan... Ryan Wallace?"
• Could he really be that Ryan Wallace? One of Grangewood's most eligible bachelors? The one shrouded in mystery, infamous for being distant from women, and always making headlines? He has a tall, model-like figure. Sharp, mixed-race features. He is also arrogant, cold and unbelievably handsome! Every movement exudes power and wealth. And that expensive watch on his wrist...
• Everything matched the rumors perfectly.
• Her heart plummeted into an icy pit.
• Turning back, she found Ryan's indifferent gaze resting on her. "Something wrong?" he asked flatly.
• Startled, Clara realized they were still inside the registration office. A dozen curious eyes were watching them. Her face burned with embarrassment.
• She'd always had pale skin, and today, dressed in a simple, elegant long dress with her hair cascading down, the flush on her cheeks only enhanced her beauty, giving her a soft, innocent glow.
• "Let's go."
• Ryan's voice was surprisingly gentler, his pace slowing as if to match her dazed steps.
• But Clara's mind was in turmoil. What am I going to do? How did this happen?
• Once they got into the car, Clara's anxiety was evident on her face, her brows knitting together in a tight knot.
• As the car started, Ryan broke the silence. "How long are you going to keep staring at me? If you've got something to say, just spit it out."
• Caught off guard, the question she'd been mulling over came out as a garbled, "Well… happy marriage?"
• She immediately cringed internally, mentally kicking herself for such a ridiculous comment.
• To her surprise, Ryan actually turned his head slightly to look at her, paused for a beat, then coolly replied, "Same to you."
• That's cold. Is that supposed to be a joke? Clara shrank deeper into her seat.
• The rest of the ride passed in silence, and after dropping her off at her doorstep, Ryan drove away without another word.
• For the next few days, he disappeared entirely, like he'd vanished into thin air.
• Clara carried on with her daily routine, commuting between work and home in a daze, still trying to wrap her mind around the fact that she was now a married woman. Worse, her husband felt more like an invisible, dangerous presence than a real person.
• One day, out of habit, she reached for a packet of coffee, but as soon as she tore it open, she remembered she was pregnant. With a sigh, she grudgingly swapped it out for milk powder.
• As she stirred the milk, her phone lit up. Ryan?
• Her heart skipped a beat. She took a deep breath before answering, "Hello?"
• "Clear your schedule tomorrow night and this weekend. We'll go home for dinner."
• Before she could respond, the line went dead.
• Clara stood there, speechless, her head spinning with frustration. "Are you kidding me? What the... Seriously?"
• Just then, Alice pushed the door open and entered. Clara immediately seized the opportunity to vent her frustrations to her mom. To her surprise, after hearing about Clara's predicament, Alice burst into laughter, and when she learned that Clara was going to dinner at her husband's family's house, she excitedly began planning to prepare a gift for her.
• "Clara, even though you haven't known each other for long, relationships can develop over time! A responsible man can't be all that bad! After everything you've been through, you should understand that this society is often harsher on women and much less forgiving! Since you're already married, make the best of this marriage. I don't expect you to become rich and famous. I just want you to be safe and sound!"
• Alice sighed softly and continued, "Unfortunately, our family's current situation no longer provides the strong support you deserve! It's just a matter of fate. Give it a try! If it really doesn't work out, remember that the door at home will always be open for you, and there will always be a meal waiting for you!"
• She understood that her mom was worried about her lingering ties to Dominic, which was why Alice hastily agreed to the marriage. Knowing her mom's good intentions, Clara nodded vigorously. "Mom, I'll do my part and manage this family well!"
• Though she said that, Clara felt uncertain inside. As for Ryan, all she could do was try her best and leave the rest to fate.
• "Make sure to take some time tomorrow to buy a new outfit. Get something you like from Seven Clark! It's your first time visiting his family, so you can't look too shabby!"
• "Okay!"
• Linking arms with her mom, Clara felt an inexplicable lump in her throat.
• Seven Clark had once been the family's favorite mid-to-high-end brand. Every year, Alice would buy a few pieces from the new collection, but they hadn't done so in three years. For them now, it was more than just a luxury.
• The next day, Clara took an hour off work and left early. Unconsciously, she found herself standing in front of the Seven Clark flagship store.
• Almost as if by some strange force, she pushed the door open and walked inside.
• After browsing for a while, she hesitated to pick anything too pricey. Instead, she settled on a simple black-and-white color-blocked dress from the clearance section. However, when she checked the price tag, her heart sank. It was nearly twenty thousand, an extravagant amount that felt beyond her means at that moment.