City Hall was quiet that morning, with only a handful of people milling about. Hawthorne stayed close to her side, moving protectively, his care almost palpable. As they stepped inside, one of the clerks caught sight of their affectionate closeness and smiled, offering a warm congrattions.
Gwh wore a white dress with a bold red sash, while Hawthorne had traded his ck suit jacket for a crisp white shirt that matched hers. Their heads leaned naturally together, and Gwh caught the faint scent of sandalwood on him— soothing, grounding, a fragrance she never wanted to leave behind.
"Newlyweds, look this way-"
The photographer snapped a few quick shots, capturing their faces in a flurry of clicks. When they stepped back outside, Gwh held the deep red marriage certificate in her hands, feeling dizzy, almost giddy.
Was that it? Were they really married now?
In the photo, Hawthorne''s smile was soft and subtle, while Gwh''s features shone with a clear, effortless beauty. They looked so perfect together, more than one bystander might have guessed they were models shooting an ad for romance.
Gwh stared at the only photo they had together so far, unable to stop a small, bemused smile from curving her lips.
"Miss Langford, you''re back?"
On the way to pick up the car, Gwh ran into someone familiar.
The woman''s surprise was obvious, her eyes lingering on Hawthorne with open curiosity, as if trying to ce him.
"Yes, I got in yesterday," Gwh replied, though she couldn''t remember this woman''s name. She knew plenty of people who recognized her, but she herself kept closepany with only a handful within the social circles of the upper ss.
Still, politeness demanded a response.
"Oh? We should get lunch sometime—it''s been ages since I''ve seen you."
People in these circles always had a sharp eye for details. Gwh offered a
polite smile and declined, "Maybe another time, but thank you."
The woman''s gaze dropped to the marriage certificate in their hands.
"Ah, so you''re back for your wedding. Congrattions."
She studied Hawthorne now-striking, with sharp features and a natural air of authority in the way his lips pressed together. No one had ever heard of the Langford heiress dating anyone, and now she was suddenly married. And to a man who, for all his good looks, was aplete stranger to everyone.
"Thank you," Gwh said, exchanging a few more pleasantries before
Hawthorne gently took her hand and guided her forward.
In the sunlight, the diamond on her ring finger gleamed brilliantly. She had no idea when he''d bought it, but as she gazed at the ring and realized she was truly married, her heart fluttered.
Marriage meant a home, a family-someone who legally, genuinely belonged to her.
What amazed Gwh most was that just two weeks ago, she''d assumed she would be single forever. Now, here she was, married to thest person she ever expected.
"This ring was a bit of a rush. When we''re back in Greenvale, I''ll help you pick out one you really like," Hawthorne said softly.
They''d onlye to make it official,
after all; there was hardly any time
for ceremony. The engagement dinner would wait until
Thanksgiving, but a ring was
something he couldn''t let he go without.
Gwh stared at the diamond, her eyes prickling with sudden emotion.
"No need. This one is perfect."
It wasrge enough, and she''d never been one for material things anyway. Truth
be told, the Langford estate was so vast that even a fraction would see her through several lifetimes.
But she liked what Hawthorne gave her. This ring, with its simple elegance, fit her heart perfectly. She didn''t want another.
Hawthorne watched her profile, sunlight washing over her soft skin, surrounding her in a gentle glow that made it impossible to look away.
"As long as you like it," he murmured.
He''d never courted anyone before; apart from buying gifts for his sister-inw Leonie, he''d never even picked something out for a woman. The moment he saw this diamond ring, though, he just knew it was meant for her. He''d bought it in a hurry, but if she ever wanted
another, he''d dly get her one she truly loved.