The Marriage – A Paper-Bound Fate
A cold, sterile government office. No flowers, no vows, just a legal document binding two people together. FL and ML sit across from each other, the weight of the moment settling between them. Across the room, FL’s parents stand in tense silence, watching every move
The official pushes the marriage certificate forward.
Official: Please sign here.
FL picks up the pen but doesn’t sign immediately. Instead, she looks up at ML, her voice calm but firm.
Vivienne Clarke/FL
Before we do this, let’s set some conditions.
ML watches her silently, waiting for her to continue.
Vivienne Clarke/FL
You’ll live in my house, but you’ll stay in the guest room. In public, we act like a married couple. But inside that house, we are just two people under the same roof. [She pauses, her eyes sharp]. No unnecessary interactions. No expectations.
Her parents watch quietly, but FL’s father clenches his jaw, clearly disapproving of the situation. Her mother looks at her with quiet concern but says nothing.
ML, still composed, finally nods.
Ethan/ML
If that’s what you want.
Vivienne Clarke/FL
It’s not about what I want. It’s about what this marriage is. Just an agreement.
A brief silence. Then, without another word, she signs the certificate. A moment later, ML does the same, sealing their fates.
Official: [Stamps the document.] "Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs.
FL lets out a quiet breath, then pulls out her phone, snaps a picture of the certificate, and posts it on social media. Within seconds, the notifications flood in. ML follows suit, his expression unreadable as he presses ‘post.’
As they step out of the office, the cool evening air greets them. Reporters are already buzzing outside, cameras flashing. FL answers a few formal questions before signaling for her car.
Just as she’s about to step inside, she pauses and looks at ML.
Vivienne Clarke/FL
If you want, we can hold a small wedding. Just something formal for your family.
ML's expression remains unreadable, but something flickers in his eyes for a moment—something distant, almost empty. Then, with a slight smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, he shakes his head.
Ethan/ML
There’s no need for that.
Vivienne Clarke/FL
Why? You don’t want them to know?
Ethan/ML
[Softly, looking away for a brief moment]. Because I don’t have a family.
Vivienne Clarke/FL
"Vivienne blinks, caught off guard by the quiet finality in his tone. For a moment, she wonders if she should ask more—but something about the way he stands there, calm yet distant, stops her."
Vivienne Clarke/FL
I see. [She hesitates, then simply nods]. Alright then.
She steps into the car, the door closing between them. Ethan watches as she drives away, standing alone under the streetlights. He lets out a quiet breath before looking down at his wedding ring—the cold metal pressing against his skin.
Ethan/ML
"The lie rolls off his tongue too easily."
Comments
🍓🚬
wait , does he have a family?
2025-02-08
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