Chapter 94 She Appeared
Caroline got back in the car with the documents needed for the marriage registration. After sitting down, she asked Leopold, "Have you really thought this through?"
Leopold started the car, looking calm and composed. He held Caroline's hand and noticed her fingers were ice cold.
"Of course, I'm very clear about this. What about you?"
Caroline took a deep breath, "Me too."
He warmed her hand with his large palm, gently rubbing her fingertips. Leopold could understand a woman's confusion and uncertainty when entrusting herself to a man, but he would make sure Caroline knew she hadn't placed her trust in the wrong person.
The marriage registration process went pretty smoothly, though there was a small incident - the person handling Caroline's registration was her high school classmate, Ingrid Allen.
Ingrid handed Caroline the completed marriage certificate and congratulated her: "Caroline, congratulations! Remember to let me know when you're having the wedding."
Caroline smiled, "Thanks, we haven't picked a date yet. Once we decide, I'll definitely send you an invitation."
Ingrid said, "I'll be waiting. Do your classmates know you're getting married? How about this - I'll share the good news in the group chat, and we can all get together on your wedding day."
Caroline paused for a few seconds, remembering Griffin was still in the group. Before she could answer, Leopold said, "Sure, thanks. Caroline and I will let you know once we set the date."
Ingrid praised Leopold to Caroline, "Your husband is really handsome."
"He's alright," Caroline replied modestly.
Though she knew deep down that Leopold's looks could beat 99.99% of men in the country.
Leopold couldn't help but laugh, putting his arm around Caroline's shoulder and looking at her sideways - his affection was impossible to hide.
"What a happy couple. Seeing you two like this, I'm so happy for you," Ingrid said with feeling.
Caroline exchanged a few more pleasantries with her. Since there were other couples waiting to register, they thanked Ingrid and left the marriage registry office.
Just as they walked out of the hall, a photo of their backs appeared in the high school group chat.
Ingrid: Guess which classmate of ours just got married?
The classmates responded enthusiastically. Griffin opened the photo in the chat and immediately recognized Caroline's silhouette, and the man was Leopold. He quietly exited WhatsApp.
Leopold got in the car and said, "There's a box in the back with some of my property deeds, bonds, futures contracts, and all my documents - keep them safe. The rest is at my old place. We'll go sort through it when we have time. I have three bank cards for you," he took them from his inner pocket, already sealed in an envelope, and put them in Caroline's hand. "The password is 493015. You can use this card for house renovations and daily shopping. I've also deposited some living expenses for you. Of the other two cards, one has a fixed annual deposit for savings, and the other you can use if you need money urgently."
Only then did Caroline notice a black briefcase on the floor of the back seat.
Leopold: "Your car is a few years old. Once we finalize the renovation plans, I'll go with you to look at new cars."
"My car is fine. I bought it the year I graduated - I've only had it a few years. I'm not changing it." Caroline was firm. "My mom bought me this car. I love it."
Seeing her say this, Leopold didn't insist. "You can keep driving it for now. When we have kids later, we'll need to get something bigger, otherwise we won't have room for everything."
At the mention of children, her face inexplicably grew hot.
Caroline pretended not to care and looked out the car window, silently exhaling.
She asked, "Do you have any opinions about the renovation style? Or what style do you like?"
Leopold's response was straightforward, just one sentence: "You decide."
Caroline said, "You paid for the house, so I'll handle the renovation."
Leopold said, "Honey, we're family now. Why are we being so particular about who pays for what?"
Already calling her honey? Caroline felt a bit shy and didn't dare respond. Her face grew redder and her ears felt hot.
Leopold watched her in the rearview mirror - her shy profile was even more striking. He smiled and said:
"Honey, you make the big decisions in our family, and I'll handle the small ones."
Caroline said, "When two people live together, everything needs to be discussed. What if you don't like the style I choose? After spending so much money on renovations, we can't just tear it all down. If you don't like it but have to live there every day, facing a home you don't like - how frustrating would that be for you?"
To ease her concerns, Leopold could only reassure her, "Okay, you decide on the style, and when you have the renderings, send me a copy. Is that okay?"
Caroline: "That's more like it. There's also the matter of renovation costs."
Before she could finish, Leopold interrupted her, "We agreed - I'm paying for the house and renovations. This isn't up for discussion, and I won't budge on it."
Caroline was about to speak when Leopold said, "If you say anything more, I'll call your mom right now and tell on you, say you're bullying me."
Caroline was momentarily speechless.
Because he mentioned Elysia, Caroline clutched her head, "Oh no, I haven't even told my parents I registered our marriage."
Leopold pretended to be surprised, "You didn't tell them? What should we do?"
Caroline panicked, "Now my mom is really going to kill me."
Leopold was satisfied - he'd achieved his goal, which was to catch Caroline off guard and make her rush into getting the marriage certificate with him.
"Wait," Caroline raised her hand, "so much has happened these past few days, I feel like this is all too rushed."
Leopold held up the marriage certificate in his hand, "That's not a nice thing to say. I'm protected by law now."
Caroline turned to face him, "Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"
He narrowed his long eyes, the curve of his lips both wicked and affectionate, making her heart skip a beat. She was almost mesmerized by him.
"Don't smile at me like that." After Caroline said this, she turned away, thinking to herself that he was so handsome, it was hard for her to even get angry.
Leopold said, "Tomorrow we'll go look at wedding rings."
"You already ordered wedding rings?" Caroline felt more and more that something was off. "You don't even know my ring size. How did you order them?"
Leopold slipped his fingers between hers and held her hand, "I measured it a long time ago."
Caroline looked at their intertwined hands in surprise, "So you've been planning this all along? Tell me, what other tricks have you been pulling behind my back?"
"Nothing, really nothing this time." Leopold confessed. "Don't believe me? If I don't believe it, I'll swear - if I'm still hiding anything from you, then I'll..."
His mouth was covered by Caroline's hand. She said irritably, "You're married now. Can you stop saying reckless things?"
Leopold held her hand and kissed her palm. Caroline shyly pulled back, blushing, "When we get home, I need to call my mom first. Be mentally prepared - we'll probably both get scolded."
She thought Leopold would comfort her, but instead he said, "You're closer to your mom, so let her scold you longer. By the time it's my turn, she probably won't have much energy left and will have run out of things to say."
How could he be so terrible!
Caroline's eyes widened, her lips parted slightly. She nearly choked with anger, "Leopold, I'm your wife now, not your shield."
Leopold laughed heartily, "Okay, okay, let mom scold me first. Me first, alright?"
Caroline muttered, "That's more like it."
After this exchange, she wasn't so panicked anymore and felt much more relaxed.
She suddenly thought of a question, "Why do you want to marry me?"
Leopold gradually stopped laughing, but his eyes were filled with tenderness and love. He said, "I realized I can't live without you."
There wasn't much in this world worth his joy, until she appeared.