The Unexpected Husband

The glare of the phone screen illuminated the devastating words that shattered Hazel Hayes’s world.

[Hazel Hayes, I just had a prenatal checkup, and I'm carrying a baby boy. Bryce's not going to marry you!]

She sat frozen on a cold bench at the marriage registration office, staring at the brazen text message from the mistress. The words finally made everything make sense. It explained why Bryce Denton had conveniently used his doctoral thesis as a cheap excuse to delay their long-planned registration. Her heart turned as cold as an ice cellar, leaving it shattered.

The intense emotional shock triggered a throbbing headache, accompanied by a harsh ringing in her ears. Hazel grabbed her head with both hands, squeezing her eyes shut. The chilling pain was a bitter reminder of the lingering postpartum illness she had suffered from three years ago. Because her health was ignored during her postpartum period, any sudden chill or emotional blow made her body ache.

"Please go to counter three to complete the registration procedures, number 101."

Just as the automated radio announced her number, Hazel's desperation reached its peak. She desperately needed this marriage license solely to secure her daughter's school enrollment. For that vital piece of paper, she had even been willing to swallow her pride, ignore the other woman, marry Bryce on paper, and quietly divorce him later.

"Hey, sorry to bother you, but I urgently need a marriage license."

Suddenly, her physical pain and despair vanished when a pleasant, sophisticated male voice spoke from above, cutting through the ringing in her ears.

Hazel looked up in a daze. A handsome man dressed in a tailored suit looked down at her. He radiated a quiet sophistication that belonged to a big city, his short hair neatly styled.

He politely asked, "If you're not afraid that I'm a bad person, how about we get a marriage license together?"

"Please go to counter three to complete the registration procedures, number 101." The radio continuously called her number, a relentless reminder not to miss out.

The handsome stranger tilted his head. "If you're scared of me, then forget it."

Fueled by a sudden surge of determination, Hazel abruptly stood up. She tightly gripped her plastic number plate and met his gaze. "If you're not afraid of me, why must I be afraid of you?"

After impulsively securing the license together, her phone buzzed with an urgent call from her company, demanding her immediate return to handle a bid budget project.

Seeing her panic, the handsome stranger graciously drove her to work. His sleek car glided through the traffic and pulled up to the entrance of her office building.

Before she hastily slipped out of the passenger seat, they exchanged contacts.

"Come find me at the coffee shop after work," he firmly instructed her, his tone leaving no room for argument. "I'll send you the address. I think it's necessary to explain something to you first."

"Okay," Hazel agreed, rushing toward the glass doors of her building.

Following a grueling workday, Hazel navigated to the address he had sent her. She arrived at the designated Starbucks, her feet aching, and took seat No. 2.

Moments later, a sharply dressed man pulled out the chair and rudely sat directly opposite her.

Hazel frowned at the intrusion. Finding his face only vaguely familiar, she offered a strained smile and politely informed him, "Excuse me, sir. The seat is taken here. I'm waiting for someone."

The man chuckled in amusement, leaning back in his chair. "Well, the person you were waiting for, that's me."

Hazel froze, blinking in shock as she tried to place him.

Upon seeing her bewilderment, the man smirked and crossed his arms. "I'm your new husband, Tristan Cade."

Mortified that she had forgotten her husband's face in a matter of hours, Hazel felt her cheeks heat up. She quickly regained her composure and managed a graceful apology. "Sorry, I didn't recognize you at first."

"Never mind," Tristan responded smoothly, his smile softening the awkwardness. "You were in a hurry to leave after you got your license this morning. I didn't even get a chance to introduce myself properly. What do you want to drink?"

"Just a latte," Hazel replied softly.

Tristan waved to the waiter. "Two cups of latte, thanks."

After a brief moment of silence, Tristan got straight to the point.

He locked eyes with her and calmly explained, "My grandpa is critically ill and wants to see me get married before he passes, but my ex-girlfriend stood me up today. I saw you at city hall and noticed that your ex-boyfriend also stood you up, so I saw you as the perfect potential option."

He got straight to the point, explaining the matters clearly with just a few words.