Chapter 1

The fourth year of my marriage to Julian Hayes, I got pregnant.

When I went for my first prenatal appointment, the nurse checked my details and told me there was no record of my marriage.

I froze: "No? How is that possible?"

The nurse pointed to the computer: "See? It shows no marriage registration for you."

Not convinced, I rushed to City Hall to verify, but the answer was identical.

"Mr. Hayes is indeed married. His spouse's name is Iris Thompson…"

Iris Thompson?

I was struck by lightning, my mind a blank!

Iris Thompson, my half-sister, and Julian Hayes's first love.

Years ago, to pursue her dreams, my sister ran away on her wedding day, cruelly abandoning Julian.

But now, she was Julian's legal wife!

…

I walked out of City Hall like a zombie, my gaze unfocused, my steps unsteady.

It wasn’t until I got into the waiting cab that the tears I’d held back finally fell silently.

Four years ago, to save our families from public humiliation, I stepped in and married Julian, replacing my runaway sister.

Initially, Julian was distant and cold towards me.

But I never complained. I meticulously took care of every aspect of his life.

Gradually, Julian lowered his guard, worn down by my daily presence.

He started to tacitly allow me to mess with his schedule.

He’d patiently listen to my boring dad jokes.

He even trusted me with confidential work documents to organize.

Later, Julian became increasingly kind to me.

He gave me a black card with an unlimited spending limit, and took me to every Michelin-starred restaurant.

I thought I had finally won Julian’s heart.

Until two months ago, when Iris, diagnosed with terminal cancer, suddenly returned from abroad.

That night, my father called a family meeting.

He looked grim as he informed me: "Your sister has late-stage cancer, with only six months left at most. Her biggest regret is not marrying Julian. So, you need to step aside for now. Once the wedding is over, and your sister is gone, Julian will still be yours."

My stepmother pleaded desperately: "Iris is your sister, just make this one sacrifice!"

Iris sobbed heartbrokenly: "This is my only wish before I die, please, make it happen."

I couldn't believe my ears.

My eyes instantly welled up. I challenged them: "You pushed me out like a puppet to be a substitute bride, and now you want Julian to marry my sister? What do you take me for? I absolutely refuse!"

My father ignored my accusations, grounding me until I agreed.

On the third day, I heard Julian had smashed a teacup in front of my father, furious.

On the thirteenth day, my phone buzzed with news reports of Julian publicly declaring, "My wife can only be Mia."

On the twenty-eighth day, Julian froze all business collaborations with the Thompson family, demanding they hand over his wife!

Finally, a month later, the locked door to my room opened.

Thinking of everything Julian had done for me during that time, my eyes instantly moistened. I didn’t even bother to put on shoes, stumbling into his arms.

But the next second, I heard his voice, hoarse: "Mia, I'm sorry."

"Your parents were adamant, even kneeling to beg me. For the sake of our families' long-standing relationship, I have to go along with this charade for your sister."

"But don't worry, it's just a fake marriage. My only wife will always be you."

At that moment, I felt my heart plummet to rock bottom, every breath a sharp pain.

After two seconds of shock, I tenderly stroked Julian's gaunt cheek, holding back my tears: "You've already done so much."

Later, I watched Julian place a diamond ring on Iris's finger under everyone's gaze, giving her a magnificent wedding.

After that, he continued to treat me as well as before.

But he spent more and more time with Iris, from occasional visits to staying out for several nights in a row.

When I threw a tantrum, he’d patiently explain: "I don't love her; I just want to be her friend and accompany her through her last days."

I believed Julian.

I never imagined the truth would be a brutal slap across my face.

…

By the time the car stopped in front of Hayes Enterprises, I had composed myself.

I was still thinking about our non-existent marriage registration.

As soon as I reached the top floor, I bumped into Julian’s secretary, Sarah.

Sarah saw me, her expression a little unnatural.

"Mrs. Hayes, what brings you here?"

"I'm here to see Julian."

"Mr. Hayes is in a meeting right now, he doesn't have time…"

Ignoring Sarah's attempts to stop me, I quickly walked to the office door.

Just as I was about to push it open, I heard Iris's voice from inside.

"Julian, look into my eyes and answer me." Iris pulled at Julian's tie with her left hand, her right hand pressing against his chest. "Here, have you ever truly let me go?"

Julian’s throat bobbed. He caught his breath, scalded by the warmth of Iris’s fingertips, yet his voice was cold: "You're overthinking it."

"Overthinking?" Iris chuckled. "Didn't you pretend to marry Mia just to wait for me to come back? Now that I've just returned, you immediately married me legally."

"And those things you wrote in your diary."

"You said you agreed to Mia taking my place to force me to come back… Mmph!"

Iris didn't finish her sentence. Julian suddenly cupped the back of her neck.

All unsaid words were sealed in a nearly violent kiss.

His gaze was burning, every word ground out from between his teeth: "Yes, I've never let you go. So, Iris, how do you plan to repay what you owe me?"

I stood outside the door, my entire body as if immersed in ice water, numb to the point of losing all feeling.

I remembered Julian holding me in his arms just days ago, kissing my hair, saying, "Mia, your sister is a thing of the past. Now, only you are worth my true feelings."

How ridiculous.

It turned out that his so-called 'true feelings' were nothing but insincere lies.

Our marriage, from the very beginning, was a sham.

I slowly closed my eyes, fighting back the tears.

If this was Julian's choice.

Then I would grant him his wish, let him and the woman he truly loves live happily ever after!