The Contracted Ever After novel Chapter 569

"Grab your ID; we're getting hitched," Ronan declared to Petra, his voice firm and resolute.

Petra's mind raced. Ronan must have had a serious fallout with Cordelia. He's too level-headed to make such a rash decision on a whim. If he's suggesting this, Cordelia must have done something unforgivable. This isn't something I can delay, she thought.

"Hold on, I'll be ready in a sec," Petra replied, snatching her purse and heading out the door, asking the nanny to keep an eye on the kids.

On the way, she tried to reach out to Ronan, "You know, Ronan, you shouldn't let emotions cloud your judgment. Whatever issues you have with Cordelia, talking it out might help." But deep down, she was thinking: If Ronan's made up his mind, it's probably past the point of a simple conversation.

She hadn’t even noticed the news about Eason and Simone getting engaged. Even if she had, those unfamiliar names would have been just another blip in the sea of social media updates.

Ronan drove in silence, his face set in a grim mask, straight to the town hall.

Petra was a bundle of nerves, her stomach in knots until the marriage certificate was firmly in her hands.

She was on edge, anxious for the moment to arrive.

Once they were married, if Cordelia made a move, she'd be the homewrecker, the kind of woman people scorned as they walked by.

With that thought, Petra felt a rush of vengeful satisfaction. She was so elated, she was already planning to post on Facebook once the deed was done, announcing her new marital status for all her friends to see.

Standing in the town hall, about to present her driver's license, Ronan suddenly hesitated.

He was reminded of the day he and Cordelia had tied the knot:

Cordelia, clueless and curious, watching the clerk stamp the papers like it was some kind of magic show;

Her innocent comment, "Getting hitched only costs nine bucks; why do some folks say they can't afford a wife?"

Her promise, "Mr. Evans, I'll be a good wife when we're out and about. I won't embarrass you";

Her tentative request for money after they were married, as if he didn’t know everything that was going on.

He had wanted to punish her, to hurt her badly. But he couldn't bring himself to do it.