One last time.

Sitting in the Civil Affairs Bureau, Arwen really wanted to give herself a pat on the back. She was truly brave to come here today to sign the marriage certificates when, just a day prior, she knew her fiancé was taking another woman out on a date. 

Gianna was right to say she has gone crazy –to be indifferent and ignorant towards the situation she was going to trap herself in for the future. 

A loveless marriage might seem like a simple concept, but it's the name of the suffering that ends only with you –or maybe even follows you beyond that. 

"It's fine, Arwen. Since you have already made the decision, take this last chance as well. A last opportunity given wouldn't make you lose more than you have already lost," she mumbled to herself as she waited in the office's waiting area. 

Time ticked by slowly, and with every passing second, Arwen's anxiety grew worse. Her heart acted strangely, making her feel uncomfortable, and her hands turned sweaty. She felt an overwhelming urge to run far away to a place where no one would be able to find her. 

"Miss, may I ask you your name?" Suddenly, a polite voice interrupted Arwen, making her turn her head. Her brows furrowed slightly without her realizing it. She was not confused, but since she had been deep in thought before the interruption, the transition took her some time. 

When the man saw her puzzled expression, he quickly explained, "Actually, I was looking for Ms. Quinn."

"I am Arwen Quinn. Please tell me, what it is?" Arwen introduced herself, getting up from her seat. 

The man looked at her, and his eyes sparkled. When he first spoke to her, she had only turned her head slightly, not giving him the full picture of herself. But now that she was standing and facing him directly, he could not help but be momentarily dazzled. "Ms. Quinn!" he addressed her, a little flustered. 

Arwen, lost in her own miseries, didn't notice his reaction. Humming softly, she asked, "Yes?" 

"I am the assistant officer from the magistrate office. I-I came to ask you if you are ready? It's your turn next," he informed her and then slowly looked around her as if searching for someone. "Your fiancé isn't here?" 

Arwen looked in the direction ahead. Only a few couples were standing there. She hadn't realized that it was nearly time for the appointment she had scheduled.

"My fiancé got struck with some work and has not yet arrived. Can you push my appointment a little further back?" She asked, gesturing towards the other couples waiting in line. "I can see there are a few couples waiting in the queue. If possible, please let them go first until my fiancé arrives" 

The man looked a little hesitant at first, but then nodded to her. "Okay, I will see what I can do. But Ms. Quinn, if possible, please call your fiancé and ask him to come soon. Mr. Magistrate is in a bit of a rush today; he might not wait for long."

Arwen nodded to him in understanding. "I will give him a call. Thank you," she said, and the man gave her a smile before walking away. 

Arwen pulled out her phone to check, but even though it was already late, there was no text or call from Ryan. Had he forgotten about today?

With a frown, she tried calling Ryan, but for some reason, his phone was switched off. He couldn't have been careless enough to let his phone die. Or maybe last night, he just didn't want to be disturbed while having the romantic dinner with Delyth. 

Pinching the space between her brows, Arwen held back the curses of disappointment on the tip of her tongue. Scrolling through her contact list, she found Daniel's number. 

Daniel was a mutual friend of hers and Ryan's, and also the head secretary at Foster Ventures. The call was answered after just a few rings. "Arwen!" he said cheerfully, "Well, it hasn't been very long time since we last spoke, but still, what's up?"

"Hey, Daniel. I just called to ask if you reminded Ryan about today," she asked, trying to sound unbothered, though Daniel could see through it. 

"Yes, I did," he replied, continuing, "Yesterday, just after you hung up, I went to his office and reminded him about going to the Civil Affairs Bureau today. I even told him it was the most important appointment for the week and that he couldn't miss it. What happened? Hasn't he shown up yet?" 

Arwen hummed in disapproval. "No, he hasn't, Daniel, and I can't reach him on his phone. Could you please help check on him? Someone from the office has already informed me that it's our turn soon."

"Oh okay, Arwen. Give me some time; I will go and check. I thought he would have already left," Daniel said, sounding quite confused and surprised. 

Arwen frowned, "Why? Is he not at the office?" she asked. 

Ryan was never late to the office. Even if he is sick, he would take his medicines and go to the company to complete his work. He was a workaholic. 

"Uh –I am not sure, Arwen. I haven't checked. How about I will get back to you in a bit. Let me see if he is caught up with some work. You know how he is; he must be here in the office," Daniel said. 

Even though he said that, Arwen could tell he was hiding something from her. She could hear the rush in his voice and could easily tell he was running somewhere. It was not hard to guess where he was headed –he was probably looking for Ryan. Daniel was trying to cover for him. 

Arwen understood, but humming, she disconnected the call. 'Just this one time, Arwen. This would be the last time,' she muttered to herself, detaching herself already from the hope that she once held very dearly.