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 wasn’t there. Aside from Oscar, who was still out of the country, Yunice was the only one of the Saunders family missing. Why hadn’t she come? 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. Paul 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, he could never marry her.
Soon it was their 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-two yet. I can’t process this.”
“What?” Elsie and Paul exclaimed 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! Can’t you make an exception?”
The clerk was firm. “Not even one day short.”
Elsie refused to give up. “Please, Miss, can’t you bend the rules just this once?”
“This isn’t my personal business. What do you expect me to do?” The clerk rolled her eyes and motioned for them to step aside so the next couple could proceed.
The rejection filled Elsie with unease. She tugged pitifully at Paul’s sleeve. “Paul, say something…”
Unlike her, Paul wasn’t too upset. He chuckled. “It’s all right. We’ll just wait six months. It’s not like I’m going anywhere.”
“But…” Seeing how casually Paul took it, Elsie became even more anxious. Her voice trembled. “Don’t you… really want to marry me?”
Paul found this amusing. “If I didn’t, why would I have stolen the household register?”
Elsie’s eyes welled up. “I gave myself to you… Are you saying you don’t want to take responsibility now!”
Paul sighed and tried to calm her down. “It’s not that I don’t want to. The law won’t let me.”
Paul fell silent. I had to admit, when the clerk had turned me down, a part of me had felt… relieved. I love Elsie, but I’m still young. I’m not ready to be tied down by marriage.
When Elsie saw his hesitation, she knew she’d hit the mark. She complained, “You didn’t talk like that when we made love…”
Paul 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, I’m the one at a disadvantage here. Shouldn’t you compensate me?”
Paul frowned. Maybe it was his imagination, but Elsie had never been this unreasonable before. Then Owen’s words flashed 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 explained, 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.”
“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 hands, they quickly learned about Paul’s age problem. Owen had planned for everything—except this. Fearing that delays would cause complications, he blurted out, “Isn’t there another way? Paul, just fake your age.”
This ignited Paul’s temper. “Owen, who do you think I am? I already stole the damn register for you, and now you want me to commit fraud? Do you really think I’m that irresponsible?”
As the tension flared, Elsie quickly stepped between them. “Owen, don’t blame Paul. It’s not his fault.”