After Seeing My Fiancee's Son, I Got Into a Flash Marriage

Outside the Civil Affairs Bureau, I stood in line with my fiancée, waiting to register our marriage.

Suddenly, a little boy ran over and hugged my fiancée’s leg, calling her “Mommy.”

I thought it was some kind of scam—until I saw the soft, affectionate smile on Veronica's face as she bent down and scooped him into her arms.

“This child... he was an accident,” she said gently. “Five years ago, after I had him, Skyler took him abroad. I’ve never met him before—this is the first time I’ve seen him since they returned.”

“Now that Skyler is back in the country, I can’t let him, a single father, suffer through all the gossip and judgment. I have to give the two of them a proper identity.”

Before I could process what I’d just heard, Skyler walked toward us.

My fiancée reached out and intertwined her fingers with his, her face glowing with affection.

I kept my voice steady. “So?”

Veronica smiled apologetically. “I’m going to marry Skyler. As for the two of us...”

She paused, then added nonchalantly, “Well, since you’re already here, let’s take a photo in front of the bureau. You can post it on social media—make it look like we got married too.”

Skyler raised his phone, pointing it at us with a smug grin. “Say cheese!”

Seeing I wasn't saying anything, my fiancée tried to comfort me. “Don’t worry, you’re still the one I love. I only see him as family. I just want to spend a bit of time with the child, and pretend to be a family for a while.”

“The child is innocent. He’s never had a mother, and I don’t want him growing up with that kind of shadow. Let’s postpone our wedding just for a bit. Once he’s older, I’ll tell him the truth and give you the grand wedding you deserve.”

And just like that, the three of them—hand in hand, hearts full—walked off to collect their marriage certificate.

I took out my phone and dialed Cassidy, the woman who had been chasing me for ten years.

“I’m at the Civil Affairs Bureau,” I said. “Want to come be my marriage partner?”

——

“My dear Marvin, why are you pulling a surprise wedding like this?” Cassidy’s voice came through, half exasperated. “I’m abroad. I just got off a flight—”

I blinked. “Oh. Never mind, then.”

But suddenly, the calm in her voice gave way to urgency. “Wait! Don’t hang up! Hold on for me—I’ll make it back before they close. Whoever backs out first is a little puppy!”

I sighed softly after hanging up, thinking I might as well find somewhere to sit and wait.

That’s when I heard a displeased voice behind me. “Marvin!”

I looked up. It was my ex-fiancée, Veronica. They had already gotten their certificate.

She stood there with the child in one arm and Skyler’s hand in the other, the picture of a blissful family.

She walked over, lowered the boy to the ground, and hissed at me, “Why are you still here?”

I answered honestly, “Waiting. To get married.”

Her expression darkened. “Why are you being so passive-aggressive? I already explained—the kid just came back, and I only just found out. Everyone has a past, don’t they?”

I nodded. “I understand.”

Annoyed, she shoved my shoulder. “Then go home. Don’t make a scene in front of the child.”

I shook off her hand and replied seriously, “I really am waiting to get married.”

Her face hardened. “Marvin, this is the last time I’ll say this. The more you act like this, the more I’ll hate you.”

Just then, Skyler came over, looking awkward but trying to play peacemaker. “Marvin, are you upset because you didn’t get to register?”

He pulled out their marriage certificate and tried to press it into my hand. “Here, why don’t you take a photo with Veronica holding this? The cover is the same. As long as you don’t open it, no one will know whose names are inside.”

I didn’t take it. The certificate slipped from his hand and fell to the ground.

Skyler crouched down to pick it up, his voice filled with guilt. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought the kid back...”