Chapter 3

After putting away Joshua's key and the marriage certificate, Queenie received a call from the renovation worker, asking her to buy some materials. "Mr. Newman, I have to get back to my shop. There's something I need to take care of." Queenie ended the call, said goodbye to Joshua, and quickly made her way to the subway station. Joshua wanted to offer to drive her, but she fled as fast as lightning. He didn't even have the chance to speak. Clearly, she was independent and used to managing things on her own without relying on others. Both of them spent the entire day absorbed in their own affairs. Exhausted and overwhelmed by the renovation, Queenie didn't leave the shop until nearly 10:00 pm. Out of habit, she returned to her rented apartment and stopped at the restaurant downstairs for a quick dinner. She had completely forgotten that she was married now. Halfway through her meal, Queenie received a call from Joshua. "Hello, Mr. Newman." As she answered, she suddenly remembered the marriage. She felt a wave of anxiety for having forgotten such an important thing. "Where are you?" Joshua's calm voice came through the phone. Since it was their first day as a married couple, Joshua had come home early, hoping to see if she needed any help. However, after hours of waiting, Queenie didn't show up. He suspected she might have forgotten about their marriage. Queenie had gotten married without even dating. She wasn't used to the fact that she had a husband now. Hence, she naturally returned to her rented apartment after closing the shop. "Sorry, I... I just finished up at the shop. I'm heading back now." Queenie nearly slipped up. Worried that Joshua might be upset, she quickly corrected herself. Joshua wasn't a fool. He could tell from her voice that she had forgotten about him and their marriage. However, realizing that it was normal for her to forget, given how young and busy she was, he decided to be understanding. He patiently asked, "Where are you?" "I'm at my rented place. It's a half-hour bike ride to Fortune Estate." Queenie quickly wiped her mouth. She was no longer in the mood to finish her food. "Send me your location. Pack your things, and wait for me." Joshua briefly ordered and hung up the phone. His sharp pronouncements and how he effortlessly took charge hinted at a man accustomed to wielding authority at work. Queenie inferred this and promptly sent Joshua her location before hurrying upstairs to pack her belongings. Soon after, Joshua arrived. Joshua drove an SUV with a spacious trunk, which easily accommodated Queenie's small electric scooter. As they headed to Fortune Estate, Queenie felt a bit uneasy in the passenger seat. "Mr. Newman, thank you for coming to pick me up at such a late hour. I hope it wasn't too much trouble." Joshua focused on the road while responding politely, "We're married. This is what I should do. It's not a bother, and you don't need to thank me." This was normal for Joshua. Despite being from a wealthy family, the Newman men were known for being devoted and considerate husbands. On the other hand, Queenie came from a different background. Her mother died shortly after she was born, so she never knew how her father treated her mother. She grew up watching Hanson and Stacy arguing, sometimes even fighting. Because of her experiences, Queenie never had much faith in marriage. Marrying Joshua was a last resort for her. She was ready to divorce him once her immediate problems were resolved. Soon, they arrived at the townhouse at Fortune Estate, which Joshua had recently bought near his workplace. After charging Queenie's electric scooter in the garage, Joshua led her to the penthouse on the sixth floor at Block Eight. There was only one house on each floor. At the door, Joshua thoughtfully registered Queenie's fingerprint for the lock. "This way, you won't have to worry about forgetting your keys." "Thank you." Queenie found Joshua more approachable than she thought. Once inside, Joshua changed his shoes and entered the house. But Queenie seemed somewhat hesitant. Joshua noticed Queenie's discomfort and reassured her, "This is your home now, too." With that, he picked up her small suitcase and walked toward the living room, giving her space to acclimate without feeling awkward. His words warmed Queenie's heart. Regardless of the circumstances that brought them together, they were married now. Whatever the future held for their marriage, this place was now her home.