Cole’s lips curved faintly. “So what do you want me to do?”

Elliana lifted her chin. “Write something down. Proof that you begged me to remarry you. That way, if we ever argue again, I can wave it in your face.”

Cole nodded immediately. “That’s reasonable.”

She added, smiling, “And write an ‘Application for Remarriage.’ Make it sincere. Make it touching. I want to cry the moment I read it.”

Application for Remarriage? The phrase alone made Cole want to laugh. Proposals usually involved rings, flowers, and heartfelt speeches—not something like a form. But this was exactly the kind of odd idea Elliana would come up with.

Seeing the confusion on his face, Elliana teased, “What? You think it sounds silly? For us, it’s the perfect fit. Right now, you’re just my lover. If you want a ‘promotion’ to husband, shouldn’t you submit an official request?”

Cole didn’t even hesitate. “You’re right. I’ll write it immediately.”

He started to leave, but Elliana stopped him. “Hold on.”

Cole turned back. “Another condition?”

Elliana flashed him a bright, mischievous smile. “You only get three attempts. If your application doesn’t move me by the third one, then forget about remarriage. We’ll stay as lovers. And if we ever part ways, I’ll take the kids and walk away. That way, you won’t be held back when you want to marry someone else.”

Cole’s mouth twitched. She was threatening him just to raise the pressure. But it didn’t matter. She wanted sincerity. She wanted something touching enough to make her tear up instantly. And he had confidence—plenty of it. He wasn’t a professional writer, but words had always come easily to him. If he had taken up writing as a career, he was sure he could’ve made a name for himself. So writing a heartfelt application? That was nothing.

Brimming with confidence, he finished the entire application before lunchtime.

Elliana didn’t know he had finished so quickly. After lunch, she put the babies to sleep and stretched out on the bed, planning to rest.

? ? : ?

She had barely closed her eyes when the mattress dipped beside her. A soft kiss brushed her cheek, carrying Cole’s cool, familiar scent.

“Babe,” he whispered with a smile in his voice.

Elliana opened her eyes. “What is it?”

Cole lay on his side, suddenly shy, and slipped a folded paper into her hand. “It’s done. Please review and approve.”

She hadn’t expected such speed. She thought he would need days. Recovering from her surprise, she sat up straight and unfolded the application with a mock-serious expression.

Cole nearly laughed at her act. Sitting up beside her, he waited like an employee awaiting judgment from the boss.

Elliana began reading, her eyes tracing every word. She didn’t rush. She didn’t skip. She even checked the punctuation.

While she read, Cole watched her face closely, hoping for some sign of emotion. But she remained completely calm. When she finally finished, she didn’t show even the slightest hint of being moved.

Cole’s confident smile disappeared instantly. He had poured his heart into the application—all ten thousand words. He had written about their entire relationship, from their first encounter to the moment he fell in love with her. Every sentence was sincere. Every memory was real. So why wasn’t she touched?

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