Chapter 13 Registering for Marriage
In the evening, Matilda woke up from her nap and walked to the living room, where she saw Wentworth playing a military game on his tablet.
She wanted to talk to him, but seeing how focused he was on the game, she was about to head back to her room.
To her surprise, Wentworth turned around and saw her, then immediately paused the game.
"Matty, do you need something?" Wentworth asked.
Matilda was a bit surprised to see him pause the game.
Men usually hate being interrupted when they're gaming. Back when she was dating Reuben, he had even made rules with her, telling her not to bother him while he was playing.
She never expected Wentworth to just stop like that without hesitation.
She hesitated for a moment, then said, "Wentworth, I remember you mentioned last time that getting married requires approval from your unit, so... has the paperwork been approved?"
Wentworth quickly smiled, "Your timing is perfect. I just got the notice—it's been approved. We can go to City Hall tomorrow to get our marriage certificate."
"That fast?"
"Yeah, our unit is pretty efficient," Wentworth said.
Matilda opened her mouth.
She wasn't sure if getting married was right or wrong—after all, there was no love involved.
But then again, did she really love Wentworth? Wasn't it just because she thought he was a good person who could protect her that she decided to marry him?
...
The next day, Matilda brought her documents and went to City Hall with Wentworth.
Wentworth had his military officer ID, which technically gave him priority, but he didn't use that privilege.
Like her, he just wore a simple white shirt.
While waiting in line, Matilda looked at the couples ahead of them. Each couple looked so sweet together. Even though they were just taking photos, they all wore matching outfits, and the brides had veils in their hair.
Compared to Matilda and Wentworth, they couldn't be more plain.
Matilda glanced at Wentworth. He sat up straight and proper, as if he wasn't here to get married but to attend a meeting.
At that moment, she felt some regret.
But they'd already come this far, and she'd already moved into his place. It seemed wrong to back out now.
Following the procedure, before long, they received their marriage certificate.
Walking out of City Hall, Matilda felt a mix of emotions she couldn't quite describe.
The couples who had registered before them were excitedly taking photos outside, telling friends and sharing the good news. Only she and Wentworth seemed to radiate two words: strangers.
Wentworth caught up with her in long strides, "Matty, do you still have to work later?"
Matilda said, "Of course, I only asked my director for an hour off."
Wentworth checked his watch, "Then should we go out for dinner together tonight?"
Matilda wasn't interested and said flatly, "Let's talk about it tonight."
Wentworth looked at Matilda, puzzled.
They say women are changeable, and it's true—completely different before and after marriage, and they just got married!
Just as Wentworth was reflecting on this, Matilda suddenly asked him, "Wentworth, do your parents know we're getting married? It seems like... you haven't taken me to meet your parents yet. For something as big as marriage, do they agree?"
Wentworth paused, then said, "My family situation is a bit complicated, but don't worry, they'll accept you. After all, marriage is my own business."
He figured there was no need to notify his parents.
Matilda smiled bitterly and continued, "It's okay, actually I don't think it's necessary to notify parents either. Marriage is between the two of us, so I hope we can keep our relationship private for now. What do you think?"
Unexpectedly, Wentworth immediately agreed, "You're right, that's what I think too. Going public should happen gradually."
Matilda didn't respond to him and just hailed a taxi from the roadside and left.
Wentworth stood there, stunned.
She seemed angry.
Had he said something wrong, or done something wrong?
...
When Matilda got to the hospital, she got a good scolding from Wesley.
"Matilda, you're usually early. Why were you late today? Couldn't even make a phone call?"
Matilda felt wronged, "Dr. Cox, I asked for leave in the group chat."
"You did?" Dr. Cox checked the department work group and felt a bit embarrassed, but soon put on a stern face again: "Who asks for leave in a group chat? Don't you know to send a private message or make a phone call?"
Matilda felt a bit wronged, "But I've seen other doctors ask for leave in the group chat when they have things to do, and I said it last night."
"Stop making excuses. If you didn't ask properly, you didn't ask. Today counts as one late arrival, half a day's attendance bonus deducted." Wesley pulled rank—a leader's authority cannot be challenged.
Matilda had no choice but to stay quiet.
Today she didn't have clinic duty but was going to the needle-knife surgery room. There were quite a few patients, and Wanda was busy inside. When she saw Matilda arrive, Wanda breathed a sigh of relief, "Matilda, you're finally here."
"Sorry, Wanda, I had something to deal with today."
"It's okay, just get started quickly. The patients are getting impatient."
...
By noon, Matilda could finally take a break.
She walked out of the treatment room and ran into Irene, who was also coming out of the consultation room.
"Dr. Spencer, why were you late this morning?" Irene asked smugly.
Matilda paused, "Your news travels fast!"
"Is it because your boyfriend doesn't have a car, so you have to ride a scooter to work in the morning? Your boyfriend is something else—looks good but doesn't even have a car? Making his girlfriend ride a scooter to work? How can a woman feel secure without a car or a house?"
Matilda let out a cold laugh.
She was now looking at the group messages. After she posted her leave request last night, Irene had posted several funny videos in the group. The videos were probably so funny that several doctors joined the discussion, and her message got buried.
It was hard to say Irene didn't do it on purpose.
Matilda smiled, "Dr. Barnes, my boyfriend has a house, and it's a large flat over 2,000 square feet with no mortgage. You and your boyfriend are still paying off your mortgage and car loan, right? I heard your place isn't big either, only about 600 square feet. In terms of pressure, you have it worse than me. I really don't know what you're bragging about."
Irene's face turned red, then she rolled her eyes, "Anyone can brag! The fact is you don't have a car right now."
"Just focus on your own life and stop worrying about others so much!"
...
Cafeteria.
Matilda ate while checking social media.
The work group had work-related notices and doctors asking for leave when they had things to do.
Wesley would reply when he saw them, but he hadn't replied to her message from yesterday.
Thinking about how she had half a day's attendance bonus deducted today, she felt dejected. Just as she was about to exit the app, Wentworth sent her a message:
[Matty, I've been thinking—not having a car at home isn't very convenient, so I want to buy one. What do you think?]