Elias’ Crimes and Punishments of Romance

Amanda got ready for the day and slipped into her comfortable exercise wear before heading to the villa. As she caught sight of Yacob, who seemed to be running out of patience after waiting for what felt like an eternity, she approached him with a huff and remarked. “Did you have to pick such an early hour? It’s only 7.30AM.”

Then, he held the door open for her and calmly explained, “The journey to the marriage office will likely take 30 minutes, not to mention any traffic delays. Mr. Winters is waiting in line and doesn’t want to delay this matter further.”

Astonished, she gazed at him and was lost for words. Elias, queuing up already? Does he not feel he is taking things a bit too far?

Ironically, the man was conspicuously absent when they were first married, leaving Howard to dispatch his men to handle all the arrangements. Yet, in this moment of remarrying, Elias stood in person at the marriage office and woke up two hours earlier just to line up.

As the clock ticked past 8.00AM, Amanda arrived at the marriage office. While peering through the window, she caught sight of a tall man with a brooding expression. Once the car pulled to a stop, she stepped out.

The moment Elias saw her, he strode up to her and wordlessly pulled her into the building, his emotions still in turmoil from the exhaustive two-hour wait. He had almost succumbed to the fear that she had changed her mind. Thus, when he saw her stepping out of the car, a profound sense of relief washed over him as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his weary shoulders.

“Slow down. I can hardly keep up-” Amanda uttered, nearly breaking into a run to match his brisk pace.

He hastily pulled her into the hall, where a long queue had already formed at the counter for registering new marriages. Suddenly, his face darkened further, and his grip on her hand tightened so intensely that she winced in pain, furrowing her brow.

However, an awkward chuckle escaped her lips. “It’s not that long. Soon, it’ll be our turn.”

After hearing this, Elias turned to glare at her. “Were you late because you were considering changing your mind?”

“I wasn’t… It’s just that you’re taking this so seriously. We’re not kids anymore, and this is our second marriage. Is there a need to be the first in line?” Amanda’s mind was swirling with bewilderment. Our boy is already in kindergarten. Do we need to focus on something as frivolous as romance?

For what seemed like an eternity, he fixed his gaze on her in utter silence. It was as though his intense stare could penetrate right through her.

look?” His intense gaze left her feeling distinctly uncomfortable, even though she knew she hadn’t

marriage? Are you even a woman? What woman doesn’t appreciate romance on such occasions?” Elias had hoped Amanda would value the formality of it all, but

she appreciated the sentiment, she couldn’t help but wonder if

the officers could almost be forgiven for thinking that she had

office, a rare smile finally graced his once icy face as he glanced down at the two marriage certificates. Elias decided to keep them both rather than give one to

one to me?” She could not help but ask when she noticed him promptly hiding

them safe, he

at him. Suddenly, a sense of being deceived lingered in her mind. Eventually, she inquired, “What shall we do

toward her, and he responded, Tll go to the hospital and check on the DNA test result. Afterward, we can

“Oh…”

enter the

my things?”

you and Aiden back home with me. After all, we’re legally wedded now, and it only makes

she observed him conveying further instructions to Yacob. After a brief exchange, Yacob eventually returned to the

in

did Elias say to you just

but smile as he teased, “Do you truly want to

do.” His tone of voice had deeply awakened

supervision of your packing. Once you’re done, I’ll escort

speechless as she

other hand, Elias kept a watchful eye as Yacob drove off with Amanda. Then, he returned