Sham Marriage

I gradually drifted off to sleep. Sometime during the night, he turned around and drew me into his arms. He might have muttered something like ‘I’m sorry,’ but I thought I must be dreaming. We both slept in. After a lazy brunch, we got ready. I brought proof of my name, age and nationality. I saw Claire when Kieran pulled up outside the registry office. His mother wore a Chanel cotton tweed jacket in light pink and a pair of boots that went up to the middle of her thighs. ‘Congratulations.’ She passed a big manila envelope to Kieran. Her face was hidden behind a pair of Bentley Platinum sunglasses. I couldn’t see her expression. ‘Thanks.’ Kieran removed his passport and IC from the envelope. Claire turned towards me. But in the end, she left without saying anything. I watched her walk away and felt a prick of conscience. ‘Does she know about the…the miscarriage?’ It still pained me to use that word. ‘Yes.’ ‘Then why would she still agree to let you marry me?’ ‘Remember what I told you