Married Your Girl Bestie as a Dare? Congrats You're Stuck with her now novel Chapter 5

Chapter 5

All the color drained from Harper’s face. She shrieked, “Six months? Are you kidding me?”

“I’m not joking, Ms. Lane,” I replied calmly.

I nudged the document a little closer to her and pointed to the printed clauses. “It’s clearly stated in black

and white. It’s enforced nationwide. These are the rules.”

Mason locked his gaze on me, fury burning just beneath the surface.

He slammed his palm down on the desk with a loud bang. “Chloe Sullivan, you did this on purpose!”

I slowly lifted my gaze to meet his fury. The faint smile on my lips did not fade. If anything, it deepened

slightly.

“Mr. Carter, please watch your language,” I said evenly. “Let me repeat myself. This is a government office. Everything is handled according to official regulations.”

“And if, after six months, you still insist on divorcing,” I paused, enunciating every word, “you’re welcome to

come back then.”

The hall fell into dead silence.

Mason’s hand remained pressed against the desk, his knuckles white from the force.

Harper’s carefully made-up face twisted almost beyond recognition.

“Chloe, don’t push it too far,” Mason hissed through clenched teeth.

I smiled faintly and pushed the notice forward another inch. “Mr. Carter, please understand that this is not my personal decision. This is a newly issued directive from the department, officially in effect since yesterday afternoon. All couples seeking an impulsive divorce are subject to a six-month cooling-off period.”

I made sure to stress the words “impulsive divorce.”

Harper suddenly grabbed Mason’s arm, her voice sharp and shrill. “Mason! Look at her! She’s doing this on purpose! Why didn’t she say anything yesterday when we registered the marriage?”

“Because the directive hadn’t been issued yet,” I cut in calmly.

I pulled another document from the drawer, an official notice bearing the department seal.

“The formal notice reached all City Hall marriage offices in our city at three o’clock yesterday afternoon,” I continued. “Would you like me to point out the date on the seal?”

Chapter 5

50.00%

Mason snatched the document from my hand and scanned it quickly. His face darkened by the second.

The document was real. The date was unmistakably yesterday.

“So,” I leaned back in my chair, folding my hands neatly on the desk, “you may leave now. Six months from today, if you still wish to proceed with the divorce, you’re welcome to return.”

“Six months…” Harper murmured. Then, as if grasping at a lifeline, she turned sharply to Mason. “Mason! Doesn’t your dad know people at there? Call them. Hurry up and call!”

Mason pulled out his phone with a grim expression and stepped aside to make a quiet call.

I continued organizing the files on my desk, unfazed by the looks from my coworkers. Jessica Miller discreetly gave me a thumbs-up. I shot her a warning glance to keep her in check.

Five minutes later, Mason came back. His face looked even worse than before.

“Well?” Harper asked anxiously.

Mason ignored her. He stared straight at me, his voice low and restrained. “Chloe, you really outdid yourself.”

“I was simply following the rules,” I replied calmly.

“Director Harris said the policy just came down and is being strictly enforced across the entire state,” he said, practically grinding his teeth. “No exceptions.”

Harper’s legs gave out, and she nearly collapsed. “So… so we’re stuck together for six months?”

The word seemed to strike a nerve. Mason violently shook off her hand. “Isn’t this all because of you? Insisting on playing that stupid dare!”

“Me?” Harper’s voice shot up. “Who was the one who posted ‘turning a joke into something real’ last night? Who held me and said, ‘This should’ve happened a long time ago’?”

“Shut up!” Mason snapped, his face livid.

I watched the couple who had been “newly married” for less than a day already turning on each other. I felt

nothing.

“Excuse me,” I tapped the desk lightly, drawing their attention. “If there are no further questions, please leave. There are other clients waiting.”

Mason looked at me deeply. His expression was complicated, impossible to read. Anger. Disbelief. And perhaps a trace of something else. Regret?

No. I must have imagined it.

Chapter 5

50.00%

He grabbed the marriage certificates from the desk and turned away, striding out without looking back.

Harper hurried after him on unsteady heels, her voice trailing behind. “Mason, wait for me…”

I lowered my head and continued processing the paperwork for the next couple in line.

“Congratulations,” I said warmly and professionally. “Wishing you a happy marriage.”

My tone remained gentle and composed. This time, the blessing was sincere.