"Why are you here?"
Elara was surprised to run into Alexander at the registry. She blinked, trying to steady herself. "I… I should be asking you that."
"I got a message," he said.
Elara lifted her phone slowly. "Same."
Alexander, clearing his throat. "So… you came to pick it up?"
Elara nodded.
"And you?" she asked softly.
"I came for the same thing."
Elara looked down, suddenly aware of how close they were standing.
"Okay," she muttered. "Let's just… get this over with."
As they reached the office door. And of course they bumped into each other again trying to go in at the same time
Elara stepped back quickly. "Sorry."
Alexander shook his head. "You go first."
Inside, a middle-aged woman looked up from her desk and smiled immediately.
"Ahh, lovebirds!" she said warmly.
"You both came together," the woman continued, already reaching for a file. "That's so sweet."
Elara's cheeks burned instantly.
"We didn't…"
"It's not…"
They both spoke at the same time.
Then stopped.
The woman just smiled. "No need to explain. I've seen this many times."
Alexander looked away, clearly uncomfortable.
The woman pulled out a document and placed it on the table.
"Congratulations once again," she said. "Your marriage certificate."
Elara's breath hitched. There it was, right in their face. Real, official and undeniable Alexander started at it too and for a moment neither of them moved.
Alexander leaned closer, his shoulder was almost touching hers as he looked at it.
"Elara Moore… Alexander Vale," he read quietly.
"It's real," he muttered.
Elara nodded.
"I told you."
The woman smiled again. "You two should celebrate."
Outside…
The silence returned. Alexander stopped walking suddenly.
"Elara."
"I think… we should talk."
"No," Elara said flatly.
"Elara…"
"I said no."
She turned to leave. Maya's voice echoed in her head.
"We need to fight."
"…Fine."
Alexander blinked slightly, surprised.
"But this is the last time I'm explaining anything," she added.
He nodded.
"That's fair."
They sat at a quiet corner outside the registry. "Tell me everything," Alexander requested. .
"Be honest," he added.
She scoffed lightly. "I've been honest from the start."
Then she began. She told him everything, from how they met, how the deal started down to the marriage.
"You said it was just a contract," she said quietly. "Nothing emotional."
"I don't remember any of this," he muttered.
Elara nodded slowly. "I know."
He stood up suddenly, talking to himself.
"This is insane."
"Elara says we're married."
"There's proof."
"But I remember nothing."
He turned to her.
"How am I supposed to deal with this?"
Elara stood up too.
"You don't have to force it," she said gently. "It's not your fault."
"Selective amnesia," she added. "The doctor explained it."
Alexander scoffed. "Yeah. He said it could take years."
Elara's eyes widened slightly.
"Years?"
"I need time," Alexander said.
Elara nodded.
"I understand."
"But…" she hesitated.
He looked at her.
"My mom is starting to ask questions," she said quietly. "I can't keep lying forever."
Alexander sighed.
"I'll figure something out."
She gave a small nod.
"Please do."
The ride back was quiet.
Elara sat beside him in the car, her hands folded tightly on her lap. She could feel his presence, when the car stopped in front of her house, she reached for the door quickly.
"Wait."
"Is this where you live?"
She nodded. He glanced at the house then back at her.
"Okay."
Elara stepped out and the car drove off.
"Who was that?"
Maya rushed out. She sighted her sister coming out of an expensive car so she wanted to know who the mystery man was.
Elara exhaled. "Alexander."
Maya's eyes widened. "What?!"
As they went inside, Elara explained everything that happened to her because there was no way Maya would let her rest without hearing all the details.
"And Victor?"
Elara shook her head. "I didn't see him."
Maya's expression hardened.
"Be careful," she said. "That man is the real problem."
Elara nodded slowly.
"I know."
At the mansion…
The nurse packed her things after administering the medication.
"I'll be back tomorrow," she said gently.
Alexander nodded absentmindedly.
Victor stood by the door, watching. Everything, especially the drugs. He wasn't aware of the new development, his heart got bitter thinking, if Alexander gets better then everything will be better.
"I'm going to rest," Alexander told him , heading upstairs.
Victor nodded. But his eyes stayed on the table. On the medications to be precise.
Upstairs…
Alexander laid on his bed, then his phone rang.
"Sir…" his assistant's voice came through, shaky.
"What is it?"
"I… I heard something."
His brows furrowed.
"What?"
"The board already has someone in mind… if you don't prove your marriage in two weeks."
"Who?"
"It's… Victor, sir."
Alexander slowly sat up.
"Repeat that again."
"They want to vote Victor as acting CEO."
Alexander's eyes darkened.
"Interesting…"
The call ended.
He stood up slowly, everything was starting to make sense a bit. The accident, the amnesia, the pressure all of it though he still can't prove this right.
"If this is a game…"
His lips curved slightly.
"Then let's play."
Downstairs…
Victor walked past the table where the medications were kept and he slowly picked up a bottle and stared at it as a dark smile crept onto his face.