My CEO Husband Says I'm Irreplaceable

Chapter 147: Chapter 147: Getting the Marriage License

His fingers paused mid-air. "No," he said calmly, "just preparing some documents."

Vesper Grayson looked up curiously. Several printed documents were already neatly arranged on the desk.

Pregnancy Precautions, Dietary Restrictions for Pregnant Women, A Guide to Prenatal Education. The documents covered everything from early pregnancy symptoms to third-trimester care, with clear, detailed sections. He had even made special notes on many of the key points.

A flicker of astonishment crossed her eyes. ’I can’t believe he went out of his way to research and organize all this for me and the baby.’

He was never a man of many words, yet he always managed to touch her heart quietly, through countless little things.

"You forget, I’m a doctor myself. If you have questions, you can just ask me."

"Even if you’re a doctor, this is your first time being a mother," he said, his voice steady and deep. "Your only job is to eat well, sleep well, and take care of yourself and the baby. Leave everything else to me."

She wasn’t one to be easily moved, but tonight, his words and actions had repeatedly touched the softest part of her heart.

This man seemed cold, distant, and unapproachable, but only she knew the truth. He was warm on the inside—far more considerate and thoughtful than anyone she knew.

"I just remembered, the family register is still at home. Also... about us getting our marriage license, should we tell our parents first?"

"We’re already engaged. Are you worried they’ll disapprove?"

Jared Hawthorne closed his laptop, swept her up into his arms, and headed for the bedroom.

"You mentioned you were preparing a surprise for me before. This wasn’t it, was it?"

’I wasn’t pregnant back then. The surprise I had in mind was definitely not an ultrasound picture!’

Vesper Grayson’s cheeks flushed. "As for that surprise, I’ll give it to you later."

’The first trimester is the most dangerous. I can’t take any risks.’

"Fine," he chuckled. "Would Miss Grayson care to give me a little hint?"

"Nope. It wouldn’t be a surprise if I told you."

The next morning, after breakfast, Jared Hawthorne accompanied her back to The Grayson Residence.

"Eldest Miss, you’re back."

"Yes. Where’s my father?"

"The Master and the Second Miss have gone to the company, and the Madam is taking the Young Master to school."

"I see. I just came back to grab something, I’ll be leaving soon."

She remembered her father always kept the family register in the study’s safe. The password was her birth mother’s birthday, but she had no idea if he’d changed it after all these years.

Her fingers keyed in the password. The safe clicked open. The password hadn’t been changed.

She took out the family register and was about to close the safe when her eyes fell on a yellowed old photograph. Its edges were frayed, as if it had been handled countless times. In the photo, a woman in a white dress stood with her back to the camera, her hair cascading like a waterfall to her waist. The sight of her graceful back alone was captivating.

’Is this my birth mother?’

As she was staring, lost in thought, she heard a car engine die downstairs.

She quickly put the photo back, slipped the family register into her purse, locked the safe, and hurried downstairs.

Joyce Rivers had just stepped inside and changed into her slippers when she looked up and saw Vesper Grayson coming down the stairs. Her brow furrowed instinctively.

"What are you doing back here?"

"I came back to get something. I’m leaving now."

Vesper Grayson tried to sidestep past her, but Joyce Rivers’s voice stopped her.

"I don’t care what tricks you used to get Gwen on your side, but don’t think that gives you a hold over the Grayson Family, or the right to covet Grayson Corporation. Without the Rivers Family’s help back in the day, Grayson Corporation wouldn’t be where it is today."

Vesper Grayson stopped and looked at her calmly. "It’s true the Rivers Family helped, but Grayson Corporation wouldn’t have made it this far without my father’s careful management over the years. Miss Joyce, I understand what you’re implying, but I’ve never wanted to fight anyone for anything."

"You might be able to fool your father with that talk, but you can’t fool me."

"Whether you believe me is your business. If you have a problem with me, you should let your actions do the talking, not just your words."

Joyce Rivers watched Vesper’s retreating figure, feeling a mix of anger and helplessness.

’Now everyone in the Grayson Family is on her side. She’s even turned my own son and daughter against me. Such brilliant tactics.’

’She had thought Vesper Grayson moving out would bring her and Milton Grayson closer. But after that last incident, Milton had started sleeping in a separate room, and his attitude toward her had grown colder and colder. Gwen wasn’t on her side, and her youngest son was an ungrateful brat who couldn’t stop talking about Vesper Grayson. No one was taking her seriously anymore!’

On the way to the Civil Affairs Bureau, Vesper Grayson started to feel a growing sense of nervousness.

The car pulled to a smooth stop at the entrance. As Jared was about to open his door, she quickly reached out and grabbed his arm.

Jared Hawthorne glanced over, his dark eyes narrowing. "Don’t tell me Miss Grayson is getting cold feet?"

"Of course not," she said softly. "I’m just worried President Hawthorne might have regrets. Maybe... you should think it over?"

"Hah." Jared Hawthorne let out an exasperated laugh. "What? Is Miss Grayson planning to marry another man while carrying my child?"

"You’re twisting my words..."

"Get out."

They turned out to be the first couple of the day, so there was no line. A staff member quickly handed them the forms.

After carefully filling out their information and submitting their documents, it was time to take the photo for their marriage certificate.

Jared Hawthorne’s back was ramrod straight and his shoulders were tense. He didn’t seem to know what to do with his hands, and his entire body radiated a rare stiffness.

The photographer smiled and coached from the side. "Sir, could you lean a little closer to the lady? Relax. Give me a smile."

He followed the instructions, inching closer and forcing his lips into a faint curve, which only made him look more rigid.

This man, who wouldn’t bat an eye if a mountain crumbled before him, was now flustered and tense over a simple marriage certificate photo.

Vesper Grayson glanced at him, unable to suppress a soft laugh. She leaned in and whispered playfully in his ear.

"So the fearless President Hawthorne is even more nervous than I am?"

The man didn’t argue. He just quietly reached out and squeezed her hand tightly.

His palm was scorching, his knuckles white.

’This was the first and only time he would ever get married. The person beside him was the girl he had secretly loved for years. The thought that from this day forward, she would be his lawfully wedded wife made him hold his breath, as if afraid to startle this hard-won happiness.’

The photographer saw it all and chuckled, "So nervous, young man? Relax! A beautiful girl like her is about to be your wife. If you’re happy, let’s see a big smile!"

His Adam’s apple bobbed. Without a word, he leaned a little closer to her. CLICK. The shutter captured the tender moment.

After the photo, the rest of the paperwork went smoothly.

When they walked out of the Civil Affairs Bureau, they held two new, gold-stamped marriage certificates. It all felt like a beautiful dream come true.

Vesper Grayson opened her certificate and looked down at the photo. They were nestled close together. His expression was gentle, his eyes filled with a warmth he couldn’t hide. Her eyes were curved in a smile, gentle and serene. They looked like a perfect match.

"I’ll hold on to the marriage certificates."

As soon as he spoke, he reached over and gently took her certificate, carefully tucking both of them into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and patting it lightly.

Vesper Grayson laughed in exasperation. "I’m not a scatterbrained child. Are you really afraid I’d lose it if I held onto it?"

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