Chapter 1 — One month before the wedding, the fiance registered to marry Bach Nguyet Quang

Thirty Days Left for the Wedding, the Fiance Went to Register to Marry Bach Nguyet Quang Chu Tu Bach and I have been in love for seven years, but with only one month left until the wedding, he quietly registered to marry his pure first love. That afternoon, I was comparing the guest list when a screenshot of the conversation suddenly appeared in the wedding preparation group. The photo was transferred from another chat group. The group's name is "Eighteen Year Old Appointment." At the beginning of the chat is a photo of Chu Tu Bach and Trinh Van Tinh standing in front of the Civil Affairs Department, holding a marriage certificate in their hands, smiling happily. Below is the content of the conversation. His sister texted:

"Tri Y's side has kept it a secret, right? Don't let her miss the wedding because of this small matter."

Friend replied:

"Don't worry. Now she's still obediently waiting for Tu Bach to come back and try on her dress."

His friend said:

"Van Tinh just wants to end the love affair of her youth. The two only temporarily registered their marriage, not actually changing brides."

Chu Tu Bach also spoke up:

"Just hide Tri Y first. Wait until the wedding is over and then I will explain to her."

I squeezed the phone in my hand, my fingertips were cold. Two seconds later, the screenshot was withdrawn. The group preparing for the wedding was silent for a moment. Right after that, his sister calmly asked me how many boxes of wedding candy I should order, and my best friend urged me to remember to try on wedding dresses tomorrow. I stared at the screen for a long time, then calmly answered one question:

"No need to order wedding candy anymore."

"The bride of this wedding... will not come."

After my two sentences were sent, the wedding preparation group was silent for half a minute. The first person to break the silence was Chu Tu Bach's older sister, Chu Nghien. She sent a voice message, sounding like she was teaching a younger sibling who didn't understand.

"Tri Y, marriage is not a joke."

"The hotel has been booked, the guests have been informed, both families already know. Just because you're angry, you say such irresponsible things?"

Best man Luc Xuyen immediately stood up to make peace.

"Tri Y, things are really not as serious as you think. Van Tinh just had her engagement canceled and is in a very bad mood."

"We're just helping her make up for a regret of her youth. Everyone knows that the final bride can only be you!"

Having finished speaking, he also sent a clasped hands emoji. As if this betrayal was just a joke that went a little too far. At that moment, my phone rang. It's Duong Duong, my best friend calling. As soon as she picked up the phone, her voice was filled with panic.

"Tri Y, actually from the beginning I saw that this was not good, but..."

I interrupted her.

"The white shirt on Chu Tu Bach's body and the wedding ring on his hand... who took it?"

The other end of the line immediately fell silent. I walked into the dressing room. Where a white shirt used to hang, there is now only an empty hanger. The ring box on the dressing table is still there. Only the man's ring has disappeared.

"It's... I took it."

After a long while, Duong Duong spoke up.

"They said they needed to take some souvenir photos. I was afraid you'd get angry so I didn't dare tell the truth."

I tightened my grip on the phone.

"So you used the door lock password I gave you to enter my bride's house."

"Afterward Take the clothes and wedding ring I prepared for my fiance, then take it away so he can marry someone else?"

"No! Not a wedding!"

She hastily corrected herself.

"They only registered their marriage for one month, just symbolically. After that, Tu Bach will still come back and marry you."

There was even a bit of self-pity in her voice.

"Tri Y, it's very awkward for me to be stuck in the middle."

She personally helped others destroy my marriage. Yet she still wanted me to sympathize with her dilemma. That is my best friend who grew up with me since childhood. I hung up. Then pull the suitcase down from the top of the wardrobe. Identity card. A few changes of clothes. The same amount of jewelry my mother left me. I only bring things that truly belong to me. As soon as the suitcase was zipped up, the sound of a code lock being opened was heard outside the door. Chu Tu Bach returned. In his hand, he also carried a cake from my favorite store.

"Haven't you had dinner yet?"

He placed the cake box on the dining table. As if everything that just happened in the group chat never existed. I looked at his left hand. On my ring finger is a wedding ring designed by me.

"Is the marriage certificate real?"

Chu Tu Bach's movements stopped for a moment.

"But things are not as serious as what the group says."

He loosened his tie, his voice carrying a tired tone.

"Luc Xuyen and everyone kept instigating. Van Tinh just had her engagement canceled, so many people are looking at her."

"I can't let her lose face on the spot."

"So you married her?"

"It's just a marriage registration."

He frowned and corrected my words.

"It will be done in a month. It will not affect our wedding at all."

He spoke very naturally. It was as if the steel seal placed on the marriage certificate could be arbitrarily removed at any time.

"She is now my legal wife."

"So what do I have to do to become your bride?"

Chu Tu Bach was silent for two seconds then walked over and put his hands on my shoulders.

"A marriage certificate is nothing more than a piece of paper."

"The person who truly lives with me all my life... until now is only you."

Having finished speaking, he picked up the guest list on the table and flipped through a few pages.

"Let's pretend you haven't seen the words in the group."

"Next time, don't be so rash."

"Just because you said 'the bride won't come', everyone has to follow and clean up the aftermath."

At that moment, his phone suddenly rang. The name Trinh Van Tinh appeared on the screen. Chu Tu Bach held the phone and walked out to the balcony. Through the glass door, I saw his tense eyebrows gradually relax.

"It's not your fault."

"Don't cry."

"Tri Y is just temporarily unable to accept it. I will handle it."

After hanging up the phone, Chu Tu Bach returned to the living room.

"Van Tinh already blames himself a lot."

He looked at me, his voice mixed with a bit of warning.

"This is because you agreed."

"Don't come looking for her, and don't say harsh words to provoke her."

He registered his marriage with Trinh Van Tinh. Yet everyone protected her feelings, helping her fulfill her youthful regrets.