Flash Marriage: My Husband Is A Mafia

Chapter 6: No One’s Perfect Including You

The court clerk recognized Ashlie and Carlyle, looking at them with surprise.

"Miss Watson, I remember you came last time to sue your boyfriend."

She glanced meaningfully at Carlyle, who stood beside Ashlie, reserved and silent. With his towering height of 1.9 meters and a well-built physique from his regular workouts, he exuded a contradictory combination of refinement, elegance, and a passionate burst. He seemed more like a gentleman from high society than a scoundrel entangled in a lawsuit.

The clerk's gaze seemed to say: "This person doesn't look like someone who would harm his girlfriend and burden her with a huge debt!"

Ashlie was momentarily stunned, then awkwardly explained, "I'm sorry, it wasn't him that I sued my boyfriend that day."

"Oh... then who is he?"

Ashlie closed her eyes briefly and quickly responded, "He's my husband."

The clerk's eyes widened in disbelief. "Oh my, this is outrageous! It's only been a few days!"

"Yeah..." Ashlie had probably become the kind of woman who played with emotions in the eyes of others, right?

The clerk, still incredulous, continued to ask, "So, what are you here for today?"

Ashlie didn't feel like speaking. Why did getting married and getting divorced have to be done in the same place?

Fortunately, Carlyle took over the conversation to prevent her from sinking into a hole she couldn't get out of.

Carlyle presented the relevant documents, indicating their intention. "We are here for a divorce."

The clerk, seemingly witnessing such a rapid marriage and divorce for the first time, appeared somewhat bewildered. She made an internal phone call and reluctantly informed them, "I'm sorry, this afternoon is already fully booked. Didn't you make an appointment in advance before coming?"

Ashlie subconsciously looked at Carlyle. The man furrowed his brow slightly, reminding her, "This is my first divorce."

Ashlie responded in the same manner, "It's my first divorce too! I thought you made the appointment..."

Carlyle's expression didn't reveal any joy or anger. "I thought so too."

Both of them locked eyes for a moment, and they fell into an awkward silence. This was truly a "wonderful" misunderstanding, but it was clear that they had made a wasted trip today.

Leaving the courthouse, Ashlie calculated her schedule and walked alongside Carlyle. "When will you be available next time?"

Carlyle caught a glimpse of Ashlie's figure and adjusted his walking pace to accommodate her slower speed. "I'm a doctor. This afternoon is the only free time I have this month."

Ashlie then realized that Carlyle had only recently started working at Bonaventure Hospital. He probably didn't have as much vacation time as the more senior employees. It wasn't convenient for him to take time off, just like Ashlie. During critical moments in her research, her advisor granted her leave purely based on their relationship of several years. Perhaps at this moment, her advisor was racking his brains to come up with excuses for her inquiries from the hospital.

Ashlie sighed. "It's my imperfect arrangement. I've always been afraid of causing you trouble, but I always end up causing you trouble."

"Nobody is perfect, Ashlie."

Carlyle stopped in his tracks, with a congested flow of cars behind him. The radiant sunlight shone on his face, evoking thoughts of a holy white statue with a gaze full of compassion.

Was this compassion directed at Ashlie? It seemed that Ashlie had taken it for granted. Compared to Carlyle, she seemed like a failure. Although San Jose's job market was not as harsh as Wall Street in New York, it was still a city where talented individuals flourished.

If Ashlie were to leave the sheltered environment of academia and venture into the real world, she might not have the excellent resume that Carlyle possessed.

Years of experiences had nearly worn down Ashlie's spirit. So when Carlyle said the following sentence, Ashlie found it somewhat unbelievable.

"Are you going to separate from me for the same reason?"

Carlyle coldly questioned Ashlie.

"The same reason?"

"Yes, perhaps you should come up with a more serious excuse. That way, I'll find it easier to believe you."

"Excuse?"

Ashlie repeated to herself, confused. She met Carlyle's gaze, but his profound and captivating eyes quickly forced Ashlie to retreat.

Although his question had the scent of an accusation, his eyes were filled with deep affection. Was he like this with every woman? Or was he naturally blessed with expressive eyes?

He seemed completely indifferent to discussing their future and past in public. After all, a man as outstanding as him should care about the gaze of onlookers.

A voice from the past seemed to ask Ashlie with a touch of desolation, "Ashlie, did I not do well enough?"

"You're great, but nobody is perfect, including you, Carlyle."

Ashlie suddenly snapped out of her reminiscence. This was the reason you broke up with Carlyle back then, a decade ago. And Carlyle remembered it so clearly?!

Recalling the past, Ashlie felt a somewhat untimely guilt in the face of Carlyle's gaze.

It was her who broke up with Carlyle back then.

"If... you still care about the reason we broke up back then, I apologize. I should have broken up with you seriously. But at that time, both you and I were going to different universities. What was scary was that you even considered giving up your offer from Yale to attend the same university as me. Honestly, I was a bit frightened by that."

I swear to God, I'm genuinely apologizing.

But Carlyle's expression grew even darker. It was a sign of his anger. "You were frightened? So you broke up with me?"

Well... of course, there were other reasons as well. Ashlie discreetly observed Carlyle's demeanor. Of course, she couldn't reveal these secret reasons to Carlyle.

However, first love was indeed impressive. It couldn't be denied that Ashlie was almost swayed by Carlyle. It was hard not to be moved when a highly intelligent teenage genius was willing to become love-struck for his girlfriend, giving everything.

But reality brought Ashlie back to her senses. She had always been a calm person, accustomed to analyzing pros and cons. Just as resolute as she was in suing James, she was the same with Carlyle.

Ashlie expressed remorse, "If you can't forgive me, I can apologize to you again."

"No need. I assumed that you broke up with me because you found someone better."

Carlyle's words carried a significant meaning. "Obviously, you didn't, so I have nothing to be angry about."

Ashlie remained silent.

Ashlie instinctively clenched her fist, gritting her teeth, feeling a surge of anger and humiliation.

"I met James in college!"

Carlyle calmly responded, "Romantic relationships during student days are often impulsive. Breaking up with him was the right thing to do. Do you need me to praise you?"

Ashlie opened her mouth, but finally closed it. She had to admit it, she couldn't argue with Carlyle. After all, he was the top debater in school back then!

Carlyle's anger came and went quickly, catching Ashlie off guard. His emotions once again disappeared beneath the depths of the sea, invisible to others. He looked at her. "Let me take you home."

Ashlie was about to refuse, but two men in police uniforms stepped out of a black car on the side of the road. When they approached Ashlie and Carlyle, they presented their credentials.

"FBI. Regarding Congressman Logan, we need both of you to cooperate with our investigation."