A shiver ran through Nicole, her skin prickling with goosebumps. This version of Jarrod, conversing with her without the usual hostility, felt completely alien to her. And if she wasn't mistaken, his tone seemed almost conciliatory.

Feeling uneasy, Nicole quickened her pace, trying to create some physical distance between them.

Jarrod observed her subtle movements, but instead of annoyance, a smile spread across his face, finding her actions somewhat charming.

The city hall had just opened for the day.

Nicole assumed Jarrod would arrange for a VIP service to expedite their process. However, he surprised her by walking up with a numbered ticket in hand. Number 23.

Nicole was rendered speechless. It seemed that Jarrod was serious about handling this personally. He truly planned to wait in Line, and remarkably, in the short time since opening, twenty-two couples had already queued up before them.

Nicole wondered if today was considered an especially lucky day.

Amidst the crowd of couples, Nicole and Jarrod stood conspicuously apart. Their cool, aloof behavior made them seem more likely to be here for a divorce than a marriage certificate.

The city hall in Ardlens had separate service counters for different needs. Marriages and divorces were handled at distinct windows, each with its own waiting area.

Surrounded by joyous couples, Nicole felt like a fish out of water, unable to pretend they were here for a divorce. Unable to hold herself back, she asked, “Is my presence really necessary to obtain this certificate?"

Jarrod responded with a chuckle, “What do you think? I'm here too, aren't I?"

“Surely Alec could have managed this," Nicole countered. Considering that Alec was Jarrod's right-hand man, he could surely handle tasks like this with ease.

Even so, Jarrod insisted, "I've said it before, we should handle this ourselves."

Jarrod believed that obtaining the marriage certificate without their presence would reduce their marriage to a mere transaction.

Occasionally revealing a more whimsical side, he did not want their union to feel strictly like a business arrangement.

Nicole was at a loss for words. She watched as Jarrod moved closer to her, feeling the urge to shift away.

The seats were designed for one person, and moving would create a noticeable gap between them, which might look odd.

Yet, Nicole couldn't stand the atmosphere, and the fact that Jarrod was so close to her was driving her insane.

Just as Nicole was about to stand up and move to a different seat, a young girl took the seat next to her.

The girl gestured to the man carrying bags behind her and said, "Honey, sit here."