In My Desperate Time

I really can’t imagine that I am saying this to Frances.
It feels like I am the one who is proposing to him.
Frances didn’t say anything. I may assume that he isn’t on the phone anymore if I can’t hear his light breathing.
The time I am waiting on him is long and suffering.
Until I hear Frances on the phone saying. "Bring your household registration book, I will wait for you at the Civil Affairs Bureau."
I feel the butterflies in my stomach after hearing what he says.
Before marrying Andrew, I also expect that a man would say this to me one day.
No matter he is rich or not, in the past or future, I am marrying the man at any risk.
But I never expect that the person would be Frances.
He shouldn’t be the person who causes turmoil and chaos in my heart. But it turns out to be him.
"Wait, I have one condition." I pause and speak up.
"Go ahead."
"Can you get custody of you and Whitney’s child?" I ask tentatively.
Frances's tone immediately sounds upset.
"What do you want that kid for? This kid is not even mine."
He knows about it?
It is surprising to me that Frances actually knows about it. I don’t know what to say for a while.
I guess that the reason why Frances insists on getting a divorce is probably because he was being cheated on.
How can such a proud man like him tolerate it?
However, I don't want that child to stay with Whitney. The idea is so fixated in my mind and I don’t even know why.

"This is my only request." I insist.
Frances hesitates for two seconds, and finally agree.
"Okay, I promise you."
In fact, I never expect that Frances would compromise.
He knows that the child is not his, and he is still willing to raise him for others? He doesn't love me. Why would he even bother to
compromise in order to get married with me?
I can’t afford to think too much.
I head out to the Civil Affairs Bureau directly after taking out my household registration book.
Frances is already there when I arrive at the door of the Civil Affairs Bureau.
Taking photos. Making copies of ID.
In the end, when the red notebook is handed over to me, it almost feels like a dream.
I am married to Frances.
What is it like to marry someone that you hate to the core?
I can't tell, but it feels complicated.
"Let's go."
Frances whispers to me, then takes me back to Louis’ house.
Coming back again is like a generation has passed.
Here, I have the most dreamy and tormented experience in my life. I even have the thought that I would never come back again.
But now, I am back. For revenge.
Frances remains emotionless on our way back. I can’t tell if he’s happy. This further verifies my guess that he is marrying me for
a purpose.

This marriage looks like a joke because the two of us have completely different purposes.
Frances goes directly to his room after returning to Louis’ house. I am embarrassed because I am left alone in the living room.
I find it ridiculous that we act like strangers right after getting married.
Upstairs, old Mr. Louis’ door is opened and he walks downstairs.
He is obviously shocked and when he sees me.
"You are back, Jane."
He walks towards me happily, with a friendly smile on his face.
Old Mr. Louis never seems to like me this much before. Why is he being friendly to me now?
I am not used to it.
Until he stretches out his hand towards me and says with a smile. "Hurry up, show me your marriage certificate."