On the first night after making up, as soon as work ended, Braden took Elise back to his place.
Elise sat on the bed, opened the newly downloaded mobile game, and started creating her character. It was a game Braden had developed, something with legends and swords, and she realized she had never actually played it.
"I have to admit, the storyline of this game isn't bad at all…" Elise sincerely praised as she chose a profession for her character.
Even though it was Mylee who wrote the script.
"But I like what you write," Braden said, sitting beside her as he tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear.
"I just realized you can be such a flatterer too," Elise laughed at his words. "Looks like I'm not the only one who's good at it."
"I'm not flattering you. It's just that you're the only one I can see." Braden rubbed his eyes, a wave of drowsiness washing over him.
"I only see you too." Elise put down her phone, gazing intently into his eyes. "You're the one I love the most."
"When you sweet-talk me like this, I start to wonder if you've done something." Braden couldn't help but smile.
"I can't bear to see you hurt... When I remember you telling me, through tears, that your heart hurt, I just know I can't ever let you feel that way again."
"Don't dwell on it. I'm fine now." He quickly added, "But you can't tell Ruth about this. It's too embarrassing..."
"I fought with her... The day after we separated, during a meeting, Mylee mentioned you were sick, and I got so worried that I went to your place for a bit. She saw me there and asked why I was doing this to you, and we ended up arguing. I don't even know if she'll talk to me again." She put her phone aside, dejected. "But you were sick... are you still feeling unwell? I forgot to ask you about it."
"Just a little cold. I rushed back the day of the business trip, barely slept, and probably spent too much time in the wind, so I ended up catching something," he said, brushing his hand gently through her soft hair. "Ruth's just messing with you—she just wants us to patch things up."
Her eyes brightened. "Really? Did you tell her that we made up?"
He wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Yes, even if she ignores you, I'll make sure you two make up. So in the future, don't hide anything from me. Let me face things with you."
She planted a kiss on his cheek, feeling as if she were floating on a cloud, finally relieved.
"I'm tired today." He held her close, lost in thought.
"Are you saying you haven't been sleeping well? Don't worry, that won't happen anymore." She hugged him back, making her promise.
She assumed he was talking about his poor sleep over the time they had been apart.
He remained silent, his mind occupied by three particular thoughts.
------
A few days later, on a Friday morning, Elise stood at the counter of the civil affairs office, holding a freshly printed, warm pink marriage certificate, still in disbelief.
With Elise's parents there, along with Mrs. Howe and Ruth as witnesses, Braden and Elise finally completed their marriage registration.
To celebrate Braden and Elise's marriage registration, they had all taken a day off just for this occasion.
"Now that you've married Elise, life might be a bit tougher for you. Please take care of her for us," Mrs. Vargas said, worried that her daughter's stubborn streak would remain unchanged.
"Mom, why are you undermining me like this?" Elise pouted, her red lips forming a small scowl as she whined playfully.
Mrs. Howe laughed, "Honestly, I think Braden is too quiet. Elise might be the one who really has her work cut out for her."
"Mrs. Howe, how could he be dull? You don't know all the romantic things he's done for Elise," Ruth chimed in, counting off on her fingers, "Like taking her out for late-night snacks when she's down, planning fun outings. The best part? Right before they were officially together, I told him I'd set Elise up with someone else, and he rushed to my place to stop me."
"Could you keep it down?" Braden said, smiling, while mentally plotting ways to get back at Ruth in the future.
"I can't. I just can't keep my mouth shut." Ruth linked arms with Mrs. Howe, grinning mischievously and making a face at Braden in return.
Mr. Vargas didn't say a word, but his gentle smile conveyed everything he wanted to express.
The weight in his heart finally lifted—his daughter was, at last, truly happy.
------
On the night of their wedding registration, at one in the morning, Braden sat in his room, reading the messages Mylee had sent.
She was constantly sending threats, saying she wanted to withdraw from the collaborative script project.
He had a headache, still figuring out how to persuade her.
Back then, Braden had been worried that Mylee might try some trick against Elise, which left him perpetually anxious, fearing Elise would leave him at any moment.
But his fears had come true—Tyree's sudden arrival at H Technology might well have been part of her scheme.
He regretted ever agreeing to a fake three-month relationship with her just to help her get rid of her ex-boyfriend. Now, he was the one stuck in a quagmire, trapped in an unending nightmare.
Elise, who had fallen asleep, suddenly woke up and saw Braden still sitting in front of the computer, lost in thought. Curious, she moved closer to check on him.
Elise softly asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet? Aren't we going out together tomorrow?"
"Just about to," Braden replied, shutting down the computer. As he stood up and touched her cheek, he noticed something odd. "Your face is a bit too cold."
Would she… care? "Could it be? Maybe it's just the change of seasons? My body's been feeling a bit cold lately." Elise held his hand, smiling sweetly. "We're married now!"
"Yes, we are." Braden opened his arms, pulling her into an embrace. "To keep you from running off again."
"As if I'd ever do that." For the first time, Elise felt something especially warm in his hug, different from before.
Braden gently kneaded her palm, concern evident on his face. "But are you sure you're okay? Even your hands feel a bit cold."
"Sports drinks?" Elise thought for a moment. "Wait a bit then, and remember not to fall too deeply asleep." Elise thought for a moment. "A hot soup should warm me up, right?"
"Then I'll take you out for something warm later." Braden chuckled mischievously. "But I think I could warm you up too."
"I love you…" "Huh? I..." Before she could finish, he sealed her lips with a kiss.
