Chapter 2 I Am Already Married
1443 Words
A sly twinkle played in Tai Kent's eyes as he gazed at the little red book in his hands, as if he were scrutinizing a rare treasure. With a teasing warmth in his voice, he said to Julia Wilde, "Julia, from now on, you are my beloved half-daughter. If that boy dares to disrespect you, watch me take him down a notch!"
A touch of sourness welled up in Julia Wilde's heart, a feeling she hadn't experienced in a long time. Ever since her father had passed away, she hadn't felt such care.
"Thank you, Uncle Kent," she responded, her voice tinged with gratitude.
"Now that you two are officially husband and wife, it's time to upgrade how you address each other," teased Tai Kent with a smile.
Julia Wilde was quick to take up the new title, unhesitatingly calling out, "Dad."
Tai Kent nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Simon Kent, who stood expressionless beside him, and suddenly spoke up, "Now that you're legally married, Julia, you should move in with Simon soon. Don't worry, his mother and I will stay in another house, so we won't disturb your world for two."
Julia instinctively looked towards Simon Kent, thinking that if her brother knew she was married, he would never agree to her continuing to rent her own place. At least until her brother was completely at ease, she could not move out. However, she wondered if Simon Kent would be willing...
Without showing any emotion, Simon Kent nodded, "Since we are husband and wife, as my wife, you should of course move in to live with me."
Julia Wilde nodded in surprise and delight upon hearing this.
Tai Kent's legs were still recovering, and Grandpa Kent was also recuperating at a nursing home. The news of the marriage had yet to be shared with her brother, and Tai Kent suggested that they wait until he was discharged so that both families could celebrate together.
Julia Wilde naturally agreed without hesitation.
Eager to share the joyous news of her marriage with her brother, she stayed a bit longer before asking to take her leave.
"Do you have something urgent?" Simon Kent raised an eyebrow.
"I need to pack up at my brother's place and move in as soon as possible. You... don't mind, do you?" Julia Wilde asked, a bit unsure.
Simon Kent nodded, "I'll drive you there."
Julia Wilde was surprised but declined after seeing Uncle Kent's look, "You should stay and keep Uncle Kent company. Could you pick me up tomorrow morning, if that's convenient?"
She wanted to reassure her brother that at least Simon Kent was much better than Rupert, right?
Simon Kent nodded again, "Call me tomorrow morning."
Julia Wilde left with a relieved heart, bidding farewell to Uncle Kent before taking a taxi away.
Once Julia Wilde had left, Tai Kent looked at Simon Kent with a triumphant air, "I've always said Julia is different from other girls. Even without knowing the ins and outs of our family, she still agreed to get the certificate with you."
"It's too early to say that," Simon Kent narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze through the glasses sharp and stern, "A marriage without an economic foundation is fragile. Just wait and see, she'll end up divorcing me because of poverty."
Tai Kent was left speechless in frustration, "Rest assured, if you two really get divorced, I won't meddle in your marriage affairs ever again!"
Simon Kent nodded in satisfaction.
In this world, no one can resist the temptation of money, especially when Julia Wilde's conditions are so superior. However, he couldn't believe that Julia Wilde could endure a poor and boring marriage. As long as Julia Wilde mentioned divorce, the old man and father could no longer urge him to get married. After all, Julia Wilde was the ideal daughter-in-law in their hearts.
Julia Wilde was unaware of the complex situation of the Kent family. When she returned to her brother's house with her household register, her sister-in-law saw her and immediately took her hand with a joyful face, saying, "Julia, do you remember Rupert? I think you're not getting any younger, and Rupert's mother has her eye on you. If you are willing to get married, Rupert's side is willing to provide an eighty-eight thousand dowry. Rupert has a car, a house, and money at home, although he is a bit plain-looking, but for a man, face isn't the most important thing. Take a look and see if you like him. If you're satisfied, I'll arrange a time for you to meet..."
Julia Wilde gave a slight tug at the corner of her mouth, thinking that face wasn't the most important thing, but Rupert's appearance was just too ugly, making her feel disgusted just looking at him. So, she took out her marriage certificate, waved it in front of her sister-in-law, and calmly said, "Sister-in-law, I've already gotten married. I came back today to pack up and move out."
Her sister-in-law widened her eyes, looking at the red booklet in her hand in disbelief.
In the evening, complaints from her sister-in-law could be heard from the next room, "Can you believe it, what is your sister up to, secretly getting married to someone else. How am I supposed to explain to Rupert's side? If she didn't like him, she could have just told me, there was no need to make such a fuss."
Albert Wilde furrowed his brow, patiently explaining, "Julia is all grown up now, she can decide who she wants to marry. Besides, she doesn't know about Rupert, so don't take it to heart..."
...
Julia Wilde listened to her brother's words, lowering her gaze slightly, feeling even more convinced that her decision was right. Life was full of trivialities and difficulties, and she'd rather break free as soon as possible.
Not long after, Albert Wilde walked out of the room and sat down beside her, handing her a bank card after a while, "Julia, this is a little dowry I've saved up secretly for you, take it. When you find the opportunity, let your brother meet your husband's family."
"Brother, you should keep the money. Sister-in-law is about to give birth, there are many places where the money is needed. Uncle Kent's leg is still not healed, and Uncle Kent's intention is to wait until he's out of the hospital before we have a meal together."
"You take it. If Mom and Dad knew you got married like this, they would be heartbroken." Albert Wilde's eyes turned red, stuffing the bank card into her hand, full of self-blame, "It's all my fault, I couldn't take care of you properly. If you ever feel wronged, just tell me..."
Julia Wilde sighed quietly in her heart, not refusing her brother's kindness. After their parents passed away, her brother had been taking care of her. Even though her sister-in-law had some ulterior motives, it was only natural, how could she bear to let her brother blame himself?
"Brother, don't worry, my husband is great, handsome and ambitious. He'll come to pick me up tomorrow morning, and you'll get to meet him." Julia Wilde reassured cheerfully.
Albert Wilde patted her head, "Julia, if he mistreats you, you can always come back to your brother."
Julia Wilde smiled. As long as Simon Kent didn't cross her bottom line, she would always stay by his side.
Perhaps it was something Albert Wilde said, Janice Malthu, the sister-in-law, didn't say much more that night, and the atmosphere was unusually calm.
The next day, Julia Wilde packed up her luggage, two large suitcases in total. She was sentimental, reluctant to part with many old items, and it was also difficult for Albert Wilde to come back to stay, so she just took everything with her.
After packing up, Julia Wilde thought for a moment and called Simon Kent.
In the office of the Kent's CEO.
The phone rang a few times, and Simon Kent glanced at the caller ID, raised his hand to interrupt the assistant's report, and pressed the answer button amidst the surprised looks of the few people.
"I'm all packed here, where are you? Can you come pick me up now?"
"Yeah, I'll be right there, send me the address."
The managers and assistants below listened to Simon Kent's cold, deep voice, exchanging glances, their surprise evident.
Everyone knew that Mr. Kent was a man who kept work and personal matters separate, and he never took calls while working...
Simon Kent hung up the phone, pushed his glasses up, and calmly looked at the assistant, exhaling slowly, "Ten more minutes, continue."
- Writer
