Chapter 200: Chapter 200: Booklet
The next morning.
On waking up, the first thing that came into Ivy’s view was the ceiling. Memories from last night flooded her mind. Slowly, her cheeks started to burn, and it took everything in her to stop herself from smiling like a fool.
Turning to her left, her hand subconsciously reached toward Silas’s side... only to find it was empty and cold.
’He must have left for the military...’ A hint of disappointment crept in.
He must have a lot of work to do... otherwise he wouldn’t have left, right?
Just then, the door of the room was pushed open, and Silas walked in. Seeing the young woman staring at the left side of the bedside with an empty gaze, amusement twinkled in his eyes.
"Are you awake?"
The solitude and lonely aura around the young woman vanished, and her eyes lit up like thousands of stars shimmering in the dark night.
Making a beeline to her, he placed the breakfast tray in his hand on the table and greeted softly,
"Good morning, darling."
"Good morning." Joy radiated from Ivy’s eyes. Infected by her emotions, a smile tucked on his own lips.
Looking at the man with sapphire-like eyes and a gentle smile, the darkness lingering in Ivy’s heart seemed to have faded a little.
"Go and brush your teeth. I have made breakfast for you. I also have a surprise for you." Silas’s deep masculine voice echoed in Ivy’s ears.
Within a few moments, Ivy sprang into action. Rushing toward the door, she took a quick shower, and as the cold water entered her system, the questions from the previous night started to flood her mind.
’Don’t overthink...’
After emerging from the bathroom, her heart pounded in her chest. Surprise... what surprise could Silas possibly have for her?
Noticing Silas’s absence, she stuffed the breakfast in her mouth and walked out of the room. Each step was filled with expectation of what was coming.
Looking at the tall figure sitting on the chair, her steps slowed down while she steadied her breathing.
"What was the surprise?" Although she attempted to conceal her excitement, the slight tremor in her voice revealed her true emotions.
The handsome blonde-haired man turned, and amusement danced in his eyes as he gestured for her to sit down.
Like a poised, elegant woman, Ivy sat down.
"Here." A red booklet entered her view, and the excitement seemed to slip away, followed by a hollowness in her heart.
’A marriage booklet?’ Coldness seeped into her body, her breathing turned ragged, and she asked, "What do you mean?"
The raw vulnerability she desperately wanted to hide still leaked out.
Silas was taken aback. The joy and smile he had expected never appeared; instead, the young lady’s mood turned dour.
Soon, though, a thought crept in, and he coughed to attract the young lady’s attention again. "Check it,"
Check? Check what? The proof of his betrayal? Or was this a dream?
The marriage booklet filled her heart with insecurity. Upon seeing the booklet, her mind automatically associated the name ’Patricia’ with it.
An imaginary dialogue played in her mind.
’This is the marriage booklet. I have already registered my marriage with Patricia. I hope you make way for her. Whatever had happened... was a mistake.’
Her throat went dry, but Silas’s eyes never left her. His gaze was steady, like he was waiting for something.
"Open it," he said again, his voice calm but gentle.
Ivy hesitated, then slowly flipped the booklet open.
Her eyes widened. The name written there was not Patricia’s. It was her own. The name beside it was Silas’s, bold and clear.
She froze, staring. ’What... what is this? My name? Why... why my name?’
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Silas leaned forward a little, his sapphire eyes locking onto her pink ones.
"It is what you think it is. This booklet has our names. You and me. Ivy, you are my wife now."
Heaviness vanished from her chest, replaced by excitement and joy. Her fingers traced the words "Ivy" and "Silas," while a wave of disbelief washed over her.
"We... when did we get married?" Shock was evident in her tone, while her eyes stayed glued to the booklet in her hand.
"Do you remember the time when I asked for your household registration? I applied for a marriage contract." His gentle voice was like a melody to the ears.
The next second, a warm body enveloped her. "In this life, we can never be separated again, Mrs. Blackthorn. We will face the woes and weals together, live a peaceful life together, and die together."
The remaining darkness lingering in the young lady’s heart seemed to have swept away.
The past life was unbearable and miserable... but this life... everything had changed. A loving husband... a base of her own... and a registered marriage.
A tear slid down from the corner of her eye as the scene of her past life flashed in her mind.
.........................
"Silas... I miss you... But what should I do... I couldn’t see you, and I have nothing that can prove we were ever connected... no photos... no keepsake..."
Ivy’s lifeless eyes couldn’t mirror the turmoil in her heart. Her hand traced the rough, fading photo in the hopes of finding the familiar warmth.
"If only I had said yes, we would at least have a marriage certificate to prove our connection."
The hollowness in her heart magnified while the only response she received was silence...
..........................
In this life, she finally received a paper connecting and proving her relationship with Silas; it was finally handed to her.
"Are you angry that I took such an important decision on my own?" Silas’s deep bass voice mixed with rare vulnerability and tension broke Ivy’s daze.
Hugging the warm body, a sigh of gratitude escaped her lips, "No. I am grateful. Thank you, Silas."
Thank you for providing me with a home.
Thank you for connecting us.
"Oh right... I forgot to tell you. I have got information about the people you had asked me to find."