Flash Marriage: My Husband Is A Mafia

Chapter 2: Not a Lover, but a Husband

Amidst the crowd on the steps of the courthouse, Ashlie's first love, whom she hadn't seen in ten years, proposed to her. Poor girl's brain suddenly froze, leaving her mind blank.

It wasn't until Carlyle asked her again, "Will you marry me?" that Ashlie snapped out of her daze, her voice trembling as she expressed her confusion. "Why? I mean, this is too sudden!"

Just after breaking up with her ex-boyfriend, she turned around to find her first love proposing. Ashlie almost thought she was the protagonist of a CBS romantic drama!

However, Carlyle remained somewhat silent in response to Ashlie's question.

Ashlie persisted, "You have to give me a reason."

Carlyle sighed helplessly, "My mother is gravely ill."

Ashlie widened her eyes in astonishment. "Mrs. Lautner?"

In Ashlie's memory, Mrs. Lautner was gentle, kind, and fond of fitness. Her mother still couldn't resist a sale at the mall. How could Mrs. Lautner be in such a critical condition?

But... that was ten years ago, a memory that left Ashlie feeling a bit disoriented. It was as if fantasy and reality unexpectedly intersected in space, making it difficult to distinguish between truth and illusion.

Ashlie clasped her hands in front of her chest, hesitating. "Some jokes should not be made, Carlyle. Are you serious?"

The man, dressed in a suit as if he had just come from the New York Stock Exchange, showed no traces of frivolity on his face. Just like his profession as a doctor, he was serious and unforgiving of mistakes.

"She doesn't have much time left. I hope she can see me start a family while she's still alive."

Carlyle wasn't a smooth talker by nature, but once the first words of a secret were uttered, the rest of the confession became easier.

"If you're willing, we can go to the church right now to get married. I have all the necessary documents with me."

Too direct!

Ashlie quickly interrupted him, "Wait! Haven't you considered finding someone else? Like a beautiful and lovely female colleague who is also a doctor?"

Carlyle gazed deeply into Ashlie's eyes. "Why can't I choose you, Ashlie?"

His seductive and magnetic voice echoed in Ashlie's eardrums, making her feel a tingling sensation throughout her body. It was a charm that the teenage Carlyle of ten years ago didn't possess.

Time had made him a stranger yet irresistibly captivating.

Ashlie murmured softly, "That's a pretty terrible reason, Carlyle."

However, coming from Carlyle's mouth, Ashlie couldn't doubt his honesty. He wouldn't stoop to using such a clumsy lie to deceive the opposite s*x, especially considering Ashlie had once been his closest person.

Perhaps that's exactly why Carlyle, after ten years of separation, still chose Ashlie.

But at this moment, Ashlie couldn't read Carlyle's innermost thoughts. She was overwhelmed by this unexpected "surprise." When it came to character, the height of a doctor surpassed that of the swindler James. When it came to appearance, the handsome Carlyle was once the most popular figure in school. Even after ten years, every sculpted detail seemed blessed by God, making it impossible to look away.

Ashlie realized she couldn't find a reason to refuse Carlyle. In addition, James's defiant words of "You'll never get rid of me" echoed in her mind.

She had to get rid of that damn man!

With a newfound courage and a gaze from Carlyle that seemed to imply something, Ashlie said in a low voice, "It's quite a coincidence. I also brought the necessary documents."

Carlyle's face, as cold as ice, showed a hint of warmth. He politely nodded to Ashlie.

Although he humbly bowed his head before Ashlie, in that instant, as their gazes met with his gray-green eyes, Ashlie's heart suddenly constricted, as if her lifeline had been caught by a hunter.

But Ashlie's clarity couldn't catch up with the speed at which they obtained their marriage certificate.

Until the freshly-printed marriage certificate lay in Ashlie's palm, the young and beautiful woman shivered abruptly. She hurriedly turned around to find Carlyle.

"Carlyle, I think I still need to consider this a bit more..."

Before she could finish her sentence, her fragile nose bumped into Carlyle's chest. The faint scent of medicine on him was cold and distinctive.

Carlyle held Ashlie, his strong hands pressed against her back to support her unsteady stance. Compared to ten years ago, Ashlie had become fuller and more voluptuous. Her soft and ample breasts pressed against Carlyle's body. From top to bottom, it was easy to capture the beauty with a single glance. Through the thick fabric of his suit, it was reminiscent of the passionate and inexperienced moments they had shared on the edge of youth, as if every night and day back then were filled with youthful innocence.

Ashlie was flustered and embarrassed. Once again, she had embarrassed herself in front of Carlyle. "Thank you, Carlyle, but you can let go now."

Surprisingly, Carlyle was reluctant to release his hold.

His tone remained as calm as ever. "Indeed, we should consider it. Since we have the marriage certificate, the next step is to prepare for the wedding."

Ashlie looked at Carlyle in a state of panic. "You misunderstood, Carlyle."

"What are you trying to say then? Do you regret marrying me five minutes ago?"

Carlyle countered, "Do you still love the man who just broke his leg on the steps?"

Ashlie pleaded with a sense of shame, "Please, stop mentioning him!"

"Alright, I admit I may have been a bit impulsive. Marriage should be approached with more caution. Both of us should do that."

Carlyle gazed silently at Ashlie, always embracing her like the sea, which made Ashlie feel audacious and immature.

Carlyle spoke slowly, "If that's your concern, then I respect it. But getting divorced right after getting married today would indeed be absurd. Let's give each other a month to think about it, okay, Ashlie?"

Ashlie found it hard to refuse. "Okay..."

It was too challenging to say no to Carlyle's face. Ashlie decided to avoid him for a while starting tomorrow... because she couldn't avoid him today.

Mr. Watson's phone kept ringing. Ashlie dealt with the court case and prepared to go to the hospital.

"It's on my way. I'll drive you."

Carlyle's car was parked at the courthouse entrance. Ashlie followed him and watched as he opened the door of the black Rolls-Royce.

"Your car?"

"Of course."

Carlyle tilted his head, gesturing for Ashlie to get in the car.

After getting in, Ashlie suddenly remembered to ask him, "Which department are you in at Bonaventure Hospital?"

"I'm in the orthopedic surgery department."

Ashlie tightened her seatbelt, help! Isn't that the department where James was taken for treatment?! Oh my God! Please don't let Carlyle be James's attending physician, or Ashlie will almost collapse!

As soon as Ashlie arrived at the hospital, she headed straight to James's ward based on her father's information. "Thank you very much, Carlyle. When I have the chance, I will visit Mrs. Lautner together with my dad."

"You seem to be in a hurry," Carlyle said expressionlessly, making a humorous remark, "Are you in a hurry to meet my rival?"

"Haha... don't joke around, Carlyle. We're just temporary roommates," Ashlie replied.

Carlyle didn't deny it and didn't argue.

Ashlie hurriedly walked forward and took a quick glance back. It seemed like Carlyle was going in the opposite direction.

Ashlie composed herself, put on an indifferent expression, and pushed open the door to the ward.

Suddenly, a pillow flew towards her.

"Ashlie! Who is that man named Carlyle? Your lover?" James blurted out. The fact that Ashlie had just broken up with James and married Carlyle...

Ashlie spoke rapidly, "He's not a lover."

James sneered, "I knew it. You love me so much that you're willing to give everything for me..."

Ashlie firmly stated, "He's not a lover, he's my husband."

"..."

Ashlie's father in the ward was stunned.