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.

giving me that look?” His intense gaze left her feeling

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 he

but wonder if

throughout the procedure, and the officers could almost be forgiven for thinking that

down at the two marriage certificates. Elias decided to keep them both rather than give one to Amanda, and he also chose not to

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

he replied with

as she gazed at him. Suddenly, a sense of being

Afterward, we can swiftly confront that demon and banish it. Otherwise, you and

“Oh…”

to enter the car before turning to

up my things?” she

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

that, he gently closed the door, and through the tinted glass, she observed him conveying further instructions to

away, Elias stood in quiet contemplation, his gaze fixed on the receding

“What did Elias say to you just

smile as he teased, “Do you

His tone of voice

has entrusted me with the personal supervision of your packing. Once you’re done, I’ll escort you and Aiden back to the estate.

speechless as she couldn’t fathom what that

eye as Yacob drove off with Amanda. Then, he returned to his car and headed straight