Chapter 23
Seb's words made Susan frown. He'd put the choice in her hands, and the worst part was, if she didn't agree to marry him, she couldn't have the baby. It felt like she was the one responsible for ending the child's life.
Susan valued her dignity and pride, but when it came to her child's life, she had no choice but to let the child live.
As they approached the Vital Records Office, Susan turned to Seb and said, "I can't agree with the last clause and the fourth clause of this agreement. I want custody of the child. I work at your company, and if I'm labeled as your wife, I won't have a single peaceful day."
She couldn't let the child she was sacrificing so much for be easily taken away by Seb, as the agreement stated.
Besides, there was no love between them. How could they pretend to be a model couple? The act would eventually be exposed.
Seb looked at Susan's determined face and frowned slightly. Then he said, "I'll have the lawyer change it to at least comply with the fourth clause in front of both families. Any other objections?"
"What about the child's custody?"
Seb pinched her cheek. "If you care so much about the child, you should fight to not divorce me."
Susan choked up. Under his sharp gaze, she could only nod and say, "Alright, I agree to marry you."
Anyway, the agreement would be revised, and by then, she wouldn't agree no matter what, and he couldn't do anything about it.
At this moment, Leon had already parked the car in the Vital Records Office parking lot.
Seb and Susan entered the ministry one after the other, seemingly the only couple not holding hands or embracing as they prepared to tie the knot.
When signing the marriage application form, Susan hesitated for two seconds but eventually signed her name.
Seb, on the other hand, didn't hesitate at all and directly wrote his name.
Seeing him so composed, Susan wondered, 'Is this not his first marriage?'
When they got back in the car, Susan still couldn't believe she was now a married woman, and to Seb of all people.
The car was silent, and no one broke the silence.
All the way, sitting in the back seat, Seb and Susan didn't even exchange glances.
After a while, Leon had already parked the car at the entrance of Susan's neighborhood, but Susan still hadn't come to her senses.
Seeing her sitting there motionless, Seb's eyes shifted slightly, and he said, "I have an appointment to go to. You go home and rest first. I'll contact you later."
Hearing this, Susan looked up and saw that the car had indeed stopped at her neighborhood entrance.
She turned and met Seb's deep gaze, seeing no expression on his face.
'He was urging me to get out of the car. Susan, what are you thinking? Do you want to go home with him? He only married you because you're pregnant. Do you really think you're his wife now?'
Thinking of this, Susan blushed and quickly nodded. "Okay." Then she got out of the car.
Watching the car drive away, Susan shook her head vigorously. This wasn't a dream; it was all real.
Today, suddenly, she was a married woman, and her husband was Seb, the CEO of Prosperity Group.
Going upstairs, Susan felt a mix of emotions. She had just married Seb like this.
No wedding, no wedding dress, no ring, just a marriage certificate.
Unlocking the door with her key, Susan saw Catherine coming up to her. She smiled and called out, "Mom."
Catherine stepped forward and slapped Susan.
Susan was stunned. She looked at Catherine with red eyes and asked, "Mom, why did you hit me?"
Since graduating, she had always worked hard, supported the family, and paid for Dorothy's education. She believed she had never done anything wrong.
"You still have the nerve to ask why? I may be weak, but I've always been upright. You've completely disgraced me!" Catherine scolded.
"Mom, what did I do?" Susan seemed to have a premonition. 'Was it about my pregnancy?'
Sure enough, Catherine pointed at Susan and questioned, "Are you really pregnant?"
"Yes." Susan had never lied to Catherine, so she nodded and admitted it.
Hearing this, Catherine sat on the sofa crying. "Why is my life so hard? I was abandoned by James at a young age, and after finally raising you, I hoped you would make me proud. But now you're pregnant out of wedlock. It's so shameful!"
Susan immediately knew it was Amelia who had tattled. Amelia just couldn't stand to see any good in her.
Despite her anger towards Amelia, Susan decided to comfort Catherine first. After all, she knew Catherine's hardships better than anyone.
"Mom, listen to me."
"What else can you say? You just broke up with Andrew Martin, and now you're pregnant. Did you go out and mess around?" Catherine angrily hit Susan a few more times.
Susan didn't dodge, letting Catherine hit her. She knew Catherine was right. she had indeed messed around and ended up pregnant. But she couldn't admit it, not because she feared being hit or scolded, but because she feared hurting Catherine.
"Mom, you really misunderstood me. Although I broke up with Andrew not long ago, I didn't mess around. I met a man who I really connected with when I was feeling down, and we fell in love. Look, we even got our marriage certificate today. We're serious about spending our lives together!" Saying this, Susan quickly took out the marriage certificate from her bag.
She was really glad she agreed to marry Seb today. Otherwise, she wouldn't know how to explain to Catherine.
Catherine took the marriage certificate, opened it, and scrutinized the photo of Seb.
"Seb Anderson?" Catherine read Seb's name.
"Yes." Susan quickly nodded.
"How old is he?" Catherine asked.
Susan was a bit confused. She didn't know Seb's age, but she quickly glanced at the marriage certificate. Seb was four years older than her, so she quickly answered, "Twenty-nine."
"What about his family? What do his parents do? What does he do for a living? What's his personality like?" Catherine asked a series of questions.
Susan rolled her eyes. She could only make things up. "He's an only child from a modest family in a remote area. As a low-income employee, he hasn't been able to buy a house yet, so I hesitated to introduce him to you.But he's very kind and considerate to me."
Susan had never lied before, but today she hadn't told a single truth. She was starting to admire her own storytelling ability.
"Such poor conditions? He's much worse than Henry, whom I introduced to you a few days ago," Catherine said, pouting.
"Mom, didn't Henry not like me?" To stop Catherine from pestering her, Susan had told her last time that Henry didn't like her.
"That's true. No matter how good someone is, we won't marry them if they don't love you. As long as he's a good person, ambitious, and treats you well, I won't look down on him. By the way, bring him home tomorrow so I can meet him." Catherine finally smiled.
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