My Wife Had Two Marriage Certificates ,And Mine Was the Fake One

Inside the courthouse, a clerk held up two marriage certificates and called out:

"Geoffrey Harding and Daniela Pruitt, your replacement certificates are ready."

I froze. The woman's name was identical to my wife's, and the man's name felt strangely familiar.

The clerk walked over to me, opened one of the certificates, and pointed to the couple's photo inside.

"Sir, have you seen this man around?"

Two familiar faces stared back at me.

The woman in the photo was my "wife," Daniela Pruitt. The man was her college sweetheart, Geoffrey Harding.

Just then, a tall, handsome man strode up and took the certificate from the clerk's hands.

"Sorry about that. Stepped out to the restroom."

He reached for the second certificate, still in my hands. I didn't let go.

Geoffrey smiled, unbothered. "Hey, buddy. Mind letting go?"

……

It took another prompt from the clerk before I snapped back to reality.

I handed him the certificate, forcing the faintest smile onto my face.

"You two make a great couple."

"Thanks." He murmured the word and turned to leave.

I stared at his retreating back, my expression darkening.

The clerk waved a hand in front of my face. "Sir? You okay?"

I answered without thinking. "The woman in that photo looks exactly like my wife. Same name, too."

The clerk burst out laughing. "Sir, that gentleman's wife is the CEO of Pruitt Group. She's on TV all the time. You're telling me you don't know that?"

Of course I knew Pruitt Group. And of course I knew Daniela Pruitt was its CEO.

The clerk kept going, like a faucet that couldn't be shut off.

"Those two have quite the love story, actually. They dated for years, even did the long-distance thing across the ocean."

"Mr. Harding went abroad for four years to study, and Ms. Pruitt waited for him the entire time. They only made it official two years ago. I was the one who processed their registration."

"Word is, the day they got their certificate, Ms. Pruitt opened a whole new branch of the company as a wedding gift for him."

My mind went blank. Daniela had waited four years for Geoffrey. They'd made it official two years ago.

Then what did that make me, the man who'd gotten a marriage certificate with Daniela Pruitt three years before that?

Pruitt Group was an empire we built together.

Three years ago, when we got married, I transferred every share I owned in the company to her name. To prove I loved her. That was what made her who she was.

How was it possible that I'd come to the courthouse to support my buddy, only to discover that my wife belonged to someone else and the company had nothing to do with me?

I hadn't even known she'd opened a new branch.

After the clerk left, I stood there, staring blankly at the sky.

I don't know how long I stood like that before my buddy Jasper Summers came walking over with his new bride, both of them beaming, freshly issued marriage certificate in hand.

"Bro, I really appreciate you taking time off work to come witness this. Let me treat you to a big dinner tonight. You've earned it!"

"Rain check. I've got a business dinner this evening." I didn't want to ruin their happiness. I forced another smile.

They knew how busy I was and didn't push it. After making me promise I'd be at the wedding, we went our separate ways.

My chest was a mess of raw, churning fury. All I wanted was to find Daniela and demand answers.

Work was the last thing on my mind. I drove straight home.