[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":10},["ShallowReactive",2],{"viewer-data-260322F482CA-366":3},{"id":4,"number":5,"name":6,"content":7,"isLocked":8,"price":9,"hasRead":8},366,18,"Chapter 18: The Marriage Certificate in His Pocket","\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Because of the absence of her parents during her childhood, Arianna Stone had always struggled with a deep-seated lack of security.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Even during her relationship with Cameron Hughes.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He would often receive phone calls and rush off in a hurry. Back then, Arianna saw it clearly—the way his eyes darted away, his guilty demeanor, the way he would flip his phone face-down on the table the moment a notification pinged...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She would constantly overthink, spiraling into a cycle of internal exhaustion, trying to reassure herself, only to repeat the process all over again.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Yet, she never dared to voice it. She couldn't be sure if something was actually wrong, or if her own insecurities and hypersensitivity were just playing tricks on her.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But now, Maxwell King was laying his daily life open before her, offering it up voluntarily, pushing her sense of security to its absolute limit.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In this moment, Arianna felt that perhaps they could actually make this work.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It was mid-summer. The trees were lush, and under the sweltering heat of the sun, they cast deep, cool patches of shade. The sound of cicadas hummed in the branches, a rhythmic, vibrant melody.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The car slowed to a halt near the entrance of her apartment complex. Arianna tilted her head, unclipping her seatbelt, preparing to step out.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Wait a second,\" Maxwell called out suddenly.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna paused. \"What is it?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell gestured toward the distance with his chin. \"Is that Cameron Hughes’s car up ahead?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Parked right next to the security booth was an aggressive-looking red sports car. The engine was still idling, the air conditioning running, and someone was reclined in the driver's seat, eyes closed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The seat was pushed all the way back, so Arianna couldn't see the driver's face.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But she recognized that license plate all too well.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Why is he here?\" Arianna whispered.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Perhaps,\" Maxwell said, turning his head to look at her. His eyes held a flicker of amusement, his tone lightly mocking, \"he's waiting for someone?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna went silent.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As to who he was waiting for, they both knew exactly who it was.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell stared at the red sports car, his gaze turning icy. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel until the lines of his knuckles turned stark and sharp.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Yet, his voice remained unnervingly casual as he asked, \"Do you want to go over and say hello?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was quiet for a moment. \"No. Let's just use the underground garage.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell murmured an \"mm\" and pulled the car forward.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">As they drove past the sports car, Maxwell cast one sharp, final glance inside. Cameron Hughes was resting his head back against his arms, fast asleep.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">In that instant, a thought struck Maxwell: he wanted to lay on the horn, wake him up, and tell him in no uncertain terms that Arianna was his wife, that they would be together for the rest of their lives, and that he would do well to stop haunting their lives.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">However, his peripheral vision caught Arianna sitting beside him.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell white-knuckled the steering wheel, swallowing the urge until it was gone.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">***\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The underground parking garage was a cool, concrete sanctuary from the summer heat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna opened her door and stepped out, with Maxwell following closely behind. Arianna looked at him with a puzzled expression.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Catching her gaze, Maxwell raised his eyebrows slightly. \"I'm coming up with you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Aren't you in a rush to get back to the office?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"It can wait.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The two of them walked from the garage into the residential tower. Arianna pressed the button for the elevator.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The other lift had just pulled away, leaving the elevator lobby empty and echoing. It was quiet—quiet enough that they could hear the rhythm of each other's breathing.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell broke the silence, cutting straight to the point. \"Are you afraid of seeing him?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna seemed taken aback by the bluntness of the question. She paused for a second. \"It’s not fear.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She corrected him, \"I just don't want to see him.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">With that single sentence, the storm clouds in Maxwell’s mood cleared. But immediately, another thought darkened his brow. He looked less than pleased as he asked, \"Has he been harassing you lately?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"He was here this morning,\" Arianna said.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell fell silent.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">This morning. That was only a few hours ago.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">His expression soured further. He leaned down, searching for her eyes. Arianna’s gaze was clear and steady; whenever she felt overwhelmed, she had a way of making him feel grounded, like a calm, tranquil lake that could dissolve all his restlessness and uncertainty.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">*Ding.*\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The elevator arrived.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stepped in first and pressed the button for her floor. Maxwell followed, and suddenly, he asked, \"Do you want to move in with me?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was stunned. \"Huh?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell knew she had heard him perfectly. He didn't repeat it, a small, knowing smirk tugging at his lips. \"What's wrong?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"...\" Arianna bit her lip, looking conflicted. \"Isn't it a bit too early to move in together?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Is it?\" Maxwell raised an eyebrow. He reached into his jacket and pulled out the marriage certificate he carried with him, opening it to show her the inside page. \"We're already married. Is it really early?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna was speechless.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had no idea when he’d started keeping the marriage certificate on his person. No wonder she hadn't seen it in the car earlier.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"I just mean,\" Arianna chose her words carefully, \"I'm worried it might be an inconvenience for you.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The moment the words left her lips, Maxwell dismissed them without hesitation. \"It wouldn't be an inconvenience. It would actually be quite lively if you moved in.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">The elevator hummed as it ascended.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell leaned against the elevator wall, looking tall and composed, one hand casually tucked into his pocket. His tone was slow and deliberate, loaded with subtext.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"If he continues to harass you like this every day, it’s going to interfere with your work and your life.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"You said you didn't want to see him, didn't you?\" Maxwell locked eyes with her, his voice low and hypnotic. \"Move in with me. Then you'll never have to see him again.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna stayed quiet.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell was tall, and as he leaned there, eyes fixed on her with that lazy, charming smile, he looked exactly like a siren trying to lure her in. Especially with the way he framed his proposal as a temptation.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She had to admit, she was tempted.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">She bit her lip and asked hesitantly, \"Then... when would it be convenient for me to move in?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Whenever you want,\" he answered without missing a beat.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">He didn't give her a deadline; he left it entirely up to her. Which, ironically, made it harder for Arianna to decide. She had never been good at making choices on the spot.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell seemed to sense her hesitation. \"Why not just move in today?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna froze. \"Today?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">\"Yeah.\" Maxwell was nothing if not accommodating. \"What's wrong? Is it not convenient?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Arianna lowered her head, deep in thought.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It wasn't that it wasn't convenient. Like he said, they were married; sooner or later, they would have to live together. She had fully prepared herself for that reality before they’d even gone to the registry office.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But now that the moment was here, she realized all that \"mental preparation\" was useless. She was still nervous, still unsure of how to proceed.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell watched her expressions carefully, then added, \"Then, how about tomorrow?\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Tomorrow...\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">While still a bit sudden, it was better than today.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">After thinking it over for a few seconds, Arianna nodded. \"Okay. Let's make it tomorrow.\"\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">Maxwell hummed a casual \"mm,\" though he didn't say anything else.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">But innocent as she was, Arianna had no idea she had just walked straight into a \"hunter's\" trap.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">There was a common technique in negotiation—the \"door-in-the-face\" method.\u003C/p>\u003Cp class=\"chapter-paragraph\">It worked by having one party make an unreasonable request first. Once the other party rejects it, they follow up with their actual, more reasonable request. The psychological effect is that after the first rejection, the other party often feels a sense of guilt, making them much more likely to agree to the second, smaller request.\u003C/p>",false,0,1774272905583]