Craved by the Wrong Volkov-Chapter 365: Marriage Registry

Braelyn’s POV

I agonised about the divorce for days. It was what I needed, but something still felt off. Lucien sensed my mood and assured me that everything would be fine. I could take someone along. His driver was trained and could protect me, but the feeling remained.

In the end, the 31st arrived, and I decided to go. Lucien was busy. Although the office was closed, he still had some things to handle and wasn’t at home regularly.

I was fine with it. I needed the distance, and this was temporary until Lucien settled everything. My divorce lawyer drafted the documents for me, which were sent to Raphael. He complied with everything.

He didn’t even complain about a single term.

10 a.m., 31st December 2026. The weather was cold; every breath I took had a chill in it. I arrived 15 minutes earlier. I was nervous about everything.

Lucien sent a simple message.

Lucien: Good luck.

I stared at the screen for a while.

"Ma’am, he is here," the driver informed me. I glanced over to where Raphael’s car had just pulled over. I recognised the plate number. He got out first. He wasn’t wearing much, just casual jeans and a T-shirt he wore under a hoodie, clearly underdressed for the weather.

He walked towards the registry’s main entrance. His eyes darted around, probably searching for me, while he pulled out his phone. I didn’t step out immediately. I watched him for a while.

It was funny, despite how simple his outfit was, his presence was still attention-drawing. Pretty privilege, I guess.

He sent me a message.

Raphael: I just arrived... where are you?

I smiled at the message.

Lynn: Behind you. I thought you wouldn’t show up last minute.

Raphael: Sorry to disappoint you.

I scoffed, then stepped down from the car. I was dressed in heavy clothes with light makeup on my face. The driver stepped out after me. Raphael finally realised my presence.

He glanced over, an effortless boyish smile crossing his lips, although it didn’t reach his eyes. Regardless, he wasn’t as opposing as I imagined. I expected him to be brooding.

"Hi," he simply chimed as soon as I was close enough. Mist formed under his nose, and I could not help but wonder if he wasn’t cold wearing so little. It wasn’t my problem to begin with.

"Let’s go in. I don’t have all day," I brushed past him, clearly not in the mood to chit-chat with my soon-to-be ex-husband.

A small smile curled at the corners of his lips. "You don’t have to be so cold. A simple hello would not have killed you," he sneered.

I snorted at him. "Save me the drama, Raphael. When did you become so chatty?" I sneered. We had already booked an appointment, so all we had to do was wait for our number to be called.

I found a place to settle down, and Raphael sat beside me. My eyes twitched, but I held back my complaint. I couldn’t push him too much, or he might decide to walk out. The driver/bodyguard was sitting close by.

The registry was pretty packed in the divorce area. It seemed like a lot of people wanted to end their marriages before the new year.

"I missed talking to you. I guess that’s why," he replied, earning only a cold snort from me.

"That’s a you problem," I grumbled, then checked my watch, wondering how long it would take for our turn. I didn’t want to listen to his chatter.

Our appearance drew some unwanted attention, enough that a divorcing couple started gossiping behind us. "They are so good-looking. Do you think they are here for a divorce?" the lady whispered, but her words were loud enough for me to hear, and sure enough, Raphael caught it.

His expression remained blank, but a frown settled on my brows. The man snorted. "You really aren’t a genius. What else? This is a divorce line."

The woman clicked her tongue. "I forgot you were an asshole. I apologise for thinking you have human decency," she snickered. "I was in disbelief, considering how good-looking they are. If you were half as good-looking as him, maybe I would have endured your bullshit. You aren’t even that handsome and have the guts to have a nasty attitude..." My eyes were twitching badly, listening to them argue.

"I guess we are the same, Gloria," he retorted, and she gasped in disbelief.

"Marcus..."

"What? You started it. Besides, maybe he is a broke boy toy, and she found someone better." Raphael’s expression finally changed at the word boy toy. Marcus and Gloria were really into me and Raphael. I was even starting to wonder why they were divorcing.

Gloria chuckled, her voice increasing a bit, and I was certain other couples probably heard her. My fist clenched. This was embarrassing.

"You are really blind. Every single item he is wearing is a luxury item, plus he gives off this air. I can’t explain it, but he definitely seems like someone who can buy a hundred of you," she jabbed.

I couldn’t see Marcus’s face, but that was a straight bullet. He snickered. "And definitely the type who wouldn’t spare you a glance..."

"You... you..." Gloria’s voice increased, and I was a second away from snapping at her. Raphael read through me and grabbed my hand.

"It isn’t worth it. I am sure you don’t want to get on the tabloids," he whispered, still holding my hand. "Ignore them."

My lips pressed together. I pulled my hand from his grasp and snorted. He was right. One of the reasons I preferred a simple divorce was because I didn’t want a court session that would draw media attention. We both couldn’t afford an unnecessary scandal.

I drew in a deep breath, but Gloria was really at it. "Wait a moment, Marcus," she gasped. "Why do they look familiar, like someone I have seen on TV?"

My stomach dropped.

"You are probably mistaken. They are just good-looking." But Gloria wasn’t dropping it.

"I know where..."

Before she could accidentally reveal our identity, our number was announced from the intercom.

"Number 4, please move to the inner room."

Raphael grabbed my hand and pulled me away. I finally was able to catch a glimpse of Gloria and Marcus.

My lips twitched. They were a bickering middle-aged couple. Did they decide on a divorce because they got tired of each other’s bickering?

We stepped inside the inner room. The clerk was seated at the desk. As soon as we stepped in, his voice rang out. "Number 4, Braelyn Volkov and Raphael Volkov," he said, and I nodded.

"Take a seat. Let’s start the procedure."

I pulled my hand from Raphael’s hold and sat first. He clicked his tongue before sitting down.

"IDs, marriage certificate, and reason for divorce," he requested. Raphael presented everything since he had it. I didn’t take my ID when I left, not to arouse suspicions.

"Reason for divorce: irreconcilable differences," he said smoothly, and I chuckled before I could stop it.

"You mean infidelity and assault."

Raphael snickered. "Stop saying things you made up..."

I was about to blow up when my phone started ringing. It was an unknown number. I quickly picked it up out of reflex. Before I could say a word, a calm voice spoke.

"Is this Braelyn Volkov? You are listed as Lucien Volkov’s emergency contact. He has just been involved in a fatal car accident."

My words froze, and I jolted up without a second thought. "What did you say?"