Chapter 4: Mrs. Hill

Catherine barely slept that night.

Every time she closed her eyes, Shaun's calm face appeared before her.

"Meet me tomorrow at the Civil Affairs Bureau."

Was he serious?

Or had he simply been teasing her?

At seven the next morning, Freya arrived at Catherine's apartment carrying breakfast.

The moment she walked in, she noticed Catherine standing in front of her wardrobe.

"Don't tell me... you're actually going."

"I don't know," Catherine admitted.

"Part of me thinks he's joking."

"And the other part?"

"The other part is already choosing what to wear to my own wedding."

Freya almost dropped the coffee in her hands.

"You're unbelievable."

"You've known this man for two days!"

"Exactly."

"That means he hasn't had enough time to disappoint me yet."

Freya sighed helplessly.

"If this ends badly, don't say I didn't warn you."

"Deal."

An hour later, Catherine stood outside the Civil Affairs Bureau.

She checked the time repeatedly.

Eight fifty-eight.

Eight fifty-nine.

Nine o'clock.

"Looks like he isn't coming," she whispered.

Just as she turned to leave, a black Rolls-Royce stopped in front of the entrance.

The rear door opened.

Shaun stepped out.

He wore a charcoal-gray suit that made him look even more distinguished than usual.

"You're two minutes early," he said calmly.

Catherine blinked.

"You actually came."

"I said I would."

"Most people don't keep promises anymore."

"I'm not most people."

He extended his hand.

"Shall we?"

For a second, Catherine hesitated.

Then she placed her hand in his.

"Let's do it."

Inside the registration office, the clerk smiled politely.

"Marriage registration?"

"Yes," Shaun answered.

The clerk handed them several forms.

"Please fill these out."

As Catherine completed the paperwork, she couldn't help glancing at Shaun.

His handwriting was elegant.

His expression remained calm.

It was almost as if getting married was just another meeting on his schedule.

"Aren't you nervous?" she asked quietly.

"Should I be?"

"You're marrying a woman you barely know."

"So are you."

"Fair point."

After submitting their documents, they were asked to wait.

Catherine suddenly became restless.

"Shaun..."

"Hmm?"

"You can still change your mind."

"Can you?"

She thought about Ethan.

Rebecca.

Her parents.

Then she shook her head.

"No."

"Neither can I," Shaun replied.

Half an hour later, they stood before the marriage registrar.

"Do both of you agree to enter this marriage willingly?"

"Yes," Catherine answered first.

"Yes," Shaun said immediately afterward.

The registrar smiled.

"Congratulations."

"From this moment forward, you are legally husband and wife."

Catherine stared at the red marriage certificate in disbelief.

"That's it?"

"We're... married?"

"Yes, Mrs. Hill," Shaun replied.

The unfamiliar title made her heart skip a beat.

"Mrs. Hill..."

"That sounds strange."

"You'll get used to it."

After leaving the building, Shaun opened the car door for her.

"Where are we going now?"

"Home."

"Your home?"

"Our home."

Forty minutes later, the Rolls-Royce stopped before a breathtaking hilltop estate.

Catherine looked out the window with wide eyes.

"This... belongs to you?"

"Yes."

"How many people live here?"

"Usually just me."

"Now there'll be two."

The mansion staff lined up at the entrance.

As soon as Shaun stepped out, everyone bowed respectfully.

"Welcome home, Mr. Hill."

"Welcome home, Madam."

Catherine froze.

"They're greeting me?"

"You're my wife," Shaun answered simply.

"From today onward, this house belongs to you as much as it belongs to me."

She had never expected those words.

For years, she had imagined building a home with Ethan.

Yet the man standing beside her now had given her that security without hesitation.

Inside the mansion, Shaun led her to the master bedroom.

"Your luggage will arrive this afternoon."

"I already asked someone to collect it."

"You did?"

"Efficiency saves time."

Catherine laughed.

"You really like planning everything, don't you?"

"I dislike uncertainty."

"Unfortunately for you," she teased, "you married the most unpredictable woman in the city."

For the first time that day, Shaun smiled.

"I'm beginning to realize that."

His assistant, Hadley, knocked on the open door.

"Mr. Hill, the board meeting begins in twenty minutes."

"Postpone it," Shaun said.

Hadley nearly dropped the tablet in his hands.

"Postpone... the international board meeting?"

"Yes."

"I'm accompanying my wife today."

Hadley looked at Catherine in complete disbelief.

The legendary Mr. Hill had just postponed a billion-dollar meeting...

Because of a woman.

After Hadley left, Catherine looked at Shaun with surprise.

"Was that meeting important?"

"Very."

"Then why postpone it?"

"Because today is our wedding day."

"Business can wait."

Those simple words unexpectedly warmed Catherine's heart.

She smiled softly.

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me yet," Shaun replied.

"Why?"

"Because tomorrow... you'll return to the Lowe family as Mrs. Hill."

"And I have a feeling your ex-boyfriend is about to receive the biggest shock of his life."