Chapter 1

On the morning we were supposed to get our marriage license, Rylan stood me up at the entrance to the city clerk's office.

He told me, "Elise, this is Callie's first surgery. I'm worried about her. Let's get our license tomorrow instead."

The next day, we arrived at the clerk's office again, just stepping inside.

His intern called with an emergency, pulling him away once more.

"Elise, I'm so sorry, but this is serious. A patient's family is causing trouble at the hospital. Callie tried to intervene and got hurt pretty badly. I have to go check on her. We'll come back another time, okay?"

It's been five years since our wedding, and this marks the 66th time Rylan has unilaterally canceled getting our marriage license, each time because of Callie.

Since he's always busy, I guess there's really no point in getting that license after all.

I decided to refocus on my studies, heading abroad for further education. I even met someone there who shares my passions and goals.

Just as we were about to walk down the aisle together...

Rylan came chasing after me.

"Darling, when are we going to get our marriage license?"

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At the entrance of the city clerk's office.

Rylan and I were about to go inside to get our marriage license.

Before we could even step in, his phone started ringing.

"Rylan, I'm so scared. Some patient's family members are causing trouble at the hospital."

On the other end of the line, I could faintly hear several heated arguments - a man's furious voice and a woman's crying.

Standing close to Rylan, I heard every word Callie said to him crystal clear.

"Don't worry, Callie. I'll drive back right away."

He softly comforted Callie while completely ignoring my sour expression.

He didn't even say goodbye before turning to leave.

"Rylan, we're already at city clerk's office. Can't we just get the license first and then go?"

"Callie's at the hospital with angry men causing trouble. She can call security and keep her distance. She'll be fine."

I called out to him.

Rylan turned and glared at me angrily. "Elise, how can you say something like that!"

"Don't you know how serious it is when family members cause trouble?"

"Haven't you seen the news where angry family members stabbed the lead surgeon to death?"

"It's bad enough that you don't care, but you're actually trying to stop me from going back!"

"You've never been a doctor. You have no idea about our struggles." I silently paused, "Do you really have to go back now? This is the 66th time we've had to cancel getting our marriage license at the last minute."

At that moment, Callie overheard our conversation on the other end of the phone and said in a guilty tone:

"Rylan, I had no idea you and your girlfriend were at the city clerk's office about to get your marriage license. I'm so sorry for interrupting with my call."

"Why don't you go ahead and get your license with her first? I can handle being alone at the hospital, even if I'm scared."

Callie's words were like pouring gasoline on a fire, making Rylan feel even more torn.

"We can get the license anytime. Right now, your situation is more important."

"I'll decide when we get it or not."

After comforting Callie for a bit longer, he turned to me and said in a cold tone:

"Elise, can't you be more understanding? If you throw another tantrum like this, we might as well forget about getting married altogether."

With that, he opened the car door without looking back and drove off by himself.

Leaving me standing there, watching him leave.

I let out a self-deprecating laugh.

Yeah, every time we try to get our license, Rylan always has some last-minute emergency. And every single time, it has something to do with Callie.

Now, he's even lashing out at me because of her. Rylan said I don't understand his pain as a doctor, clearly trying to hit me where it hurts.

How could I not understand?

I was once an excellent medical student, with the opportunity to study abroad and become an outstanding surgeon.

However, Rylan fell seriously ill just before I was set to leave the country. To take care of him, I gave up my chance to study abroad.

I sacrificed my own career, abandoning the scalpel I loved so dearly.

Yet Rylan has forgotten all of this.

Our wedding was held five years ago, and in these five years, we haven't even gotten our marriage license.

If we couldn't manage to get it in five years, then there's really no point in getting that license now.