In the rain, under the umbrella,
their shoulders pressed close. It was damp and humid...
Yet there was no way to escape. Although Silas Thorne had already removed his hand from her shoulder, the warmth of his palm lingered through her thin clothes, surprisingly hot.
The boundary-crossing distance and excessive intimacy made her vaguely recall the day they registered their marriage.
It had been raining just as hard that day. He held the umbrella, pulling her into his arms so naturally. Joyce Monroe felt awkward, but he simply said:
"Mrs. Thorne, we're husband and wife. It's normal to be close."
Joyce Monroe pressed her lips together and replied, "It's just for show. We're a fake couple."
Silas Thorne said softly, "Once the certificate is signed, nothing is fake."
Joyce Monroe's heart skipped a beat. She stared at him in disbelief, but Silas Thorne just explained calmly, "I'm speaking from a legal standpoint. Once you're registered, you're a real married couple."
