Dead at Heart (Ariel and Jayson) novel Chapter 882

Janice understood immediately. "You were mesmerized by my beauty?"

Chad turned his gaze toward her, a languid smile tugging at his lips. "Your displaced double eyelid tape was glinting so brightly in the sun that I simply couldn't unsee it."

Janice's face stiffened. "...Unlock the doors."

She wanted to leap out of the moving car that very instant.

But it was too late. They had already arrived at the courthouse.

After enduring Chad's relentless teasing, Janice no longer felt quite so crushed.

Chad pulled her out of the car, his arm draped firmly around her shoulders as he guided her inside. Escape was impossible for Janice.

On the other hand, Chad had all the required documents and identification ready. He slammed them down on the table and fixed his gaze on Janice.

"Janice Swanson, do you honestly think you can find someone better than me to be your husband?"

Beats of sweat formed on Janice's forehead. "You never know, right…"

Her response infuriated Chad. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer.

"I'm a 28-year-old man who's never dated. I don't have exes or old flames. I'm not romantically involved with anyone I shouldn't be. I'm a kind, healthy, upright man from a respectable family. You'd better think this through."

He had once hinted at his feelings for Janice, but not anymore; he was done hiding them.

Janice swallowed hard. She wasn't as sad as she had imagined she would be. Instead, she felt overwhelmed. There was no time for her to get all sad and disappointed about Wade's absence at the wedding.

Hesitantly, she asked, "W-Would we really be able to share a happy, married life together?"

Her best friend had crashed her wedding and declared he would become her husband instead!

Chad smiled dryly and snatched Janice's documents from her hands. "We'll know once we try it out."

Janice felt something snap inside her the moment she heard the sound of a seal being stamped on paper.

Inwardly, she was still filled with uncertainty about their future. But she knew Chad well. He wasn't reckless, and he never acted without purpose. He could be blunt, but he was always clear-headed. He knew exactly what he was doing.

Janice squeezed her eyes shut.

Compared to a stranger, Chad was the better choice. At least he was her closest friend. And what would she tell her family if they discovered she was still unmarried? She had no intention of getting involved with Wade anymore.

In that case, she would marry Chad.

Meanwhile, Alicia had crashed into the car in front of hers, injuring the same leg she had hurt years ago.

The doctor explained she had suffered minor fractures, but they were treatable. Yet the accident triggered an acute stress reaction, dredging up old trauma.

In her hysteria, Alicia hurled Wade's phone out the window. She was acting out because of the shock.

Wade's face was tense, but he tried to calm her so she could be prepared for surgery.

Right before being wheeled into the operating room, Alicia turned to Wade. "Wade, I want you to be the first person I see as soon as I'm out."

He didn't respond to Alicia's request. Instead, he asked the doctor, "How long will the surgery take?"

"We're treating her external wounds and the injured leg. It'll take at most an hour and a half."

Wade nodded. "Alright. We'll be counting on you."