Chapter 1: A Marriage of Convenience

October in Wiltspoon was unbearably hot.

Even before sunrise, the air felt heavy, though a cool autumn breeze drifted through the streets.

Serenity Hunt quietly stepped out of bed before everyone else.

She prepared breakfast for her sister's family as she did every morning.

Fresh toast, eggs, and hot coffee filled the small apartment with a comforting aroma.

After cleaning the kitchen, she picked up a small folder containing her birth certificate, identification card, and a few important documents.

Without making a sound, she slipped out of the apartment.

The argument she had overheard the previous night echoed in her mind.

"We're splitting every expense from now on," her brother-in-law had said angrily.

"Your sister has been living here too long. Two thousand dollars a month isn't enough."

"She's practically living off us."

Those words had hurt more than Serenity wanted to admit.

Although she secretly gave her sister five thousand dollars every month, only two thousand was ever mentioned to avoid causing problems between the couple.

She had never expected her kindness to become a burden.

"It's time to leave," she whispered to herself.

But moving out wasn't easy.

Her sister would never allow her to live alone.

There was only one solution.

Marriage.

Three months earlier, Serenity had rescued an elderly woman who had collapsed while crossing the road.

That woman was Grandma May York.

Since then, the two had become close friends.

Grandma May often joked about introducing Serenity to her oldest grandson.

At first, Serenity laughed it off.

Until today.

Now, that joke had become reality.

Twenty minutes later, the taxi stopped outside Wiltspoon City Hall.

As Serenity stepped onto the sidewalk, a familiar voice called out warmly.

"Serenity!"

"Grandma May!"

Serenity smiled as she walked over.

Standing beside the elderly woman was a tall man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.

His expression was calm.

Almost cold.

His sharp features, dark hair, and deep eyes gave him an air of authority that naturally kept strangers at a distance.

Serenity blinked in surprise.

"This is... Zachary?"

She had imagined Grandma May's grandson to be an awkward man who struggled with relationships.

Instead...

He looked like someone who belonged on the cover of a business magazine.

"Serenity," Grandma May said cheerfully, "this is my eldest grandson, Zachary York."

"Zachary, this is the young lady I told you about."

Zachary gave a small nod.

"Hello."

His voice was deep and emotionless.

Serenity quickly recovered from her surprise.

She smiled politely and extended her hand.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. York. I'm Serenity Hunt."

For a brief moment, Zachary looked at her hand before shaking it.

"Zachary."

The handshake lasted only a second.

His hand was warm.

His expression wasn't.

Grandma May laughed awkwardly.

"Don't mind him. He's always serious."

"He's actually very considerate once you get to know him."

Serenity simply smiled.

She glanced toward the nearby parking area.

A modest black MPV was parked there.

It wasn't luxurious.

It looked like the vehicle of an ordinary office worker.

That eased her worries.

She wasn't looking for wealth.

She simply wanted stability.

Grandma May gently took Serenity's hands.

"I know this feels sudden," she said softly.

"But I promise Zachary is a good man."

"You've known me for months."

"Would I ever push you toward someone unworthy?"

Serenity shook her head.

"No, Grandma."

"I trust you."

Grandma May smiled with relief.

"Good."

Zachary checked the time on his watch.

"We should go inside."

"I have work afterward."

"Of course," Serenity replied.

As they walked toward the entrance of City Hall, neither of them spoke.

The silence between two complete strangers felt strangely comfortable.

Inside the marriage registry office, they were handed several forms.

The clerk smiled.

"Please verify your information before signing."

Serenity carefully read every line.

Marriage.

A lifetime commitment.

Yet she was about to marry someone whose favorite color she didn't even know.

Across the table, Zachary signed his paperwork without hesitation.

When he noticed Serenity staring at the documents, he spoke quietly.

"Ms. Hunt."

She looked up.

"If you've changed your mind, you can still walk away."

"Marriage isn't something anyone should be forced into."

His words surprised her.

He didn't sound eager to marry either.

Perhaps this arrangement benefited both of them.

Serenity looked down at the marriage application one last time.

She thought about her sister.

She thought about finding a place to belong.

Then she picked up the pen.

"No," she said with quiet determination.

"I'm ready."

Without another word...

She signed her name.

A few seconds later, Zachary signed his.

The clerk smiled brightly.

"Congratulations to both of you."

"From this moment onward..."

"You are officially husband and wife."