Finished


    Chapter 67 The Failed Wedding Registration.


    Elsie happily pulled Paul’s hand as they stood in line for the marriage license.


    Paul’s gaze, however, drifted past the three people behind them: Yunice <b>wasn’t </b>there.


    Aside from Oscar, who was still out of the country. Yunice was the only one of the Saunders family missing.


    hy hadn’t sheet


    Did she still have feelings for me? Was that why she couldn’t bear to see me and Elsie married?


    Paul’s thoughts spun around before he turned his attention back to Elsie.


    For today’s official photo, Elsie had applied light makeup and looked especially pure and beautiful. <b>Paul </b>still felt his heart flutter when he looked at her.


    He calmed himself. There was no point in dwelling on the past with Yunice. After all, I could never marry her


    Soon it was her turn. Hand in hand, they smiled and handed over their household registries and IDs.


    But the clerk pushed the documents back and said matter–of–factly. “The groom isn’t twenty–<b>two </b>yet. I can’t process this.”


    “What?”


    Elsie and Paul eximed in unison.


    The clerk raised an eyebrow. “The groom has to be at least twenty–two, and the bride has to be at least Twenty. Don’t you know the basics?”


    Elsie panicked. “But he’ll be twenty–two in six months! <b>Can’t </b><b>you </b>make an exception?”


    The clerk was firm. “Not even one day short.


    Elsie refused to give up. “Please, Miss<b>, </b>can’t you bend the rules just this once?”


    “This isn’t my personal business. What do <b>you </b>expect me to do?” The clerk rolled her eyes and motioned. for them <b>to </b>step aside so the next couple could proceed.


    The rejection filled Elsie with <b>unease</b>. She tugged pitifully at Paul’s sleeve. “Paul, say something…


    Unlike her, Paul <b>wasn’t </b>too upset. He chuckled. “It’s all right. We’ll just wait six months. It’s <b>not </b>like I’m going anywhere.”


    “But…” Seeing how casually Paul took it, Elsie became even more <b>anxious</b>. Her voice trembled. “Don’t you…really want to marry <b>me</b>?”


    Paul found <b>this </b><b>amusing</b>. “If I didn’t, why would I have solen the household register<b>?</b><b>” </b>


    Elsie’s eyes welled up. “I gave <b>myself </b>to you… <b>Are </b>you saying you don’t <b>want </b>to take responsibility now!


    Paul sighed and tried to calm her down. “It’s not that on’t want to. Thew won’t let me.


    1/02 Fri, Apr 18


    Chapter 67 The Failed Wedding Registration:


    Paul, fell silent.


    I had to admit, when the clerk had turned me down, a part ofine had felt… relieved.


    I love Elsie, but I’m still young. Im not ready to be tied down by marriage.


    Finished


    When Elsie saw his hesitation, she knew she’d hit the rl on the head. Sheined, “You didn’t talk like that when <b>we </b>made love….


    <b>Paul </b>was taken aback by her persistence. Without thinking, he replied, “Wasn’t it you who slept with me?”


    Elsie’s face flushed. “Th–That’s not the point! Anyway, in the one at a disadvantage here. Shouldn’t youpensate me?”


    <b>Paul </b>frowned. Maybe it was my imagination, but Elsie had ever been this unreasonable before,


    Then Owen’s words shed through his mind. His tone became stiff. “Elsie, tell me the truth. Did you tell your brother that I made you do it?”


    Elsie’s cheeks burned. She hadn’t expected the question. Her eyes flickered with guilt before she quickly defended herself. “I never said that! Owen just assumed it, and no matter how much I exined, he wouldn’t listen.”


    Afraid that Paul wouldn’t believe her, she added seriously. “I can confront him right now, tell him I was the one who forced you.<b>” </b>


    “Enough.” Paul held her back, forcing her to be patient. Who would believe a girl forced a guy? Stop overthinking. I’m not running away from responsibility


    Elsie realized she’d pushed too hard and softened her voice. “I’m sorry, Paul…. I just love you so much. I couldn’t bear the thought of…”


    Paul understood. In a way, her possessiveness was endearing


    Just then, Owen and Lily approached. Seeing no marriage license in their <b>hands</b>, they quickly learned about Paul’s age problem.


    Owen had nned for everything–except this. Fearing that dys would causeplications, he blurted. <b>out</b>. “<b>Isn’t </b>there another way? Paul, just fake your <b>age</b>.”


    This ignited Paul’s temper. “Owen, who do you think In? I already stole the damn register for you, and now <b>you </b>want me tomit fraud? Do you really think I’m <b>that </b>irresponsible?”


    As the tension red, Elsie quickly stepped between them. “Owen, don’t me Paul. It’s not his fault.”