Chapter 1

It had been ten years since I became a replacement bride, and then, my sister suddenly came back.

My whole family stared at her in stunned silence.

She yawned, casually remarking:

“Thirteen countries, I’m absolutely exhausted from all that traveling.”

“And where’s Leo? He must be in elementary school by now. Why isn’t he here to greet his real mom?”

Leo was my sister Stella’s son.

Ten years ago, Stella gave birth, then faked her death on her wedding day, abandoning her son and her fiancé.

The Sterling family was old money, part of the city’s elite.

My parents didn’t dare offend them, so they decided to package me, fresh out of college, and send me to the wedding.

For ten years, I’d been a dutiful wife, a responsible mother.

Seeing Stella’s self-righteous demeanor,

My parents’ eyes fell on me. I offered a faint smile:

“Leo is on a trip to the coast with his dad.”

At my words, Stella Reed’s eyebrows knitted together in a frown of displeasure.

“Didn’t I tell you I was coming home in advance? Didn’t you tell Julian that I was returning?”

I calmly sipped my tea.

Years of quiet resilience had transformed me. I was no longer the invisible girl who lived in my sister’s shadow.

My silence completely infuriated Stella.

She abruptly stood up, her sharp voice piercing the air:

“Amelia Reed! What do you mean by this? Don’t forget, I was the one engaged to Julian Sterling! Now I’m back. Do you honestly think you can keep playing the role of Mrs. Sterling?”

I glanced at her, a small smile playing on my lips.

“Sister, I’m not sure what you’re talking about. My husband and I have a wonderful relationship.”

Over these past years, I had accompanied Julian to countless charity galas and business events.

Our reputation as a loving, devoted couple spread throughout our social and business circles.

Julian’s image as a devoted husband had earned him respect and appreciation from many business partners.

Perhaps Julian and I didn’t share passionate romance, but we had a connection far stronger than mere love.

It was mutual benefit.

That was why I felt so confident.

Stella looked utterly incredulous. She pointed at me, shouting:

“Amelia Reed! Have you no shame? He’s practically your brother-in-law!”

I slowly set my teacup down, my smile unwavering and dignified.

“No, we’re legally married.”

My gaze was firm. I stood up, unwilling to prolong this charade.

My parents stood nearby, looking utterly helpless.

Stella suddenly rushed over, grabbing my mother’s sleeve.

“Mom, Amelia’s lost her mind! Julian and I were college sweethearts! If it weren’t for me, if it weren’t for the Sterling family, how do you think our company grew so much?”

My parents had always favored Stella since we were children.

But this time, Mom secretly observed my expression, her voice softening.

“But… you ran away from the wedding, and you faked your death. For all these years, we didn’t hear a peep from you.”

“There was no bride at the wedding! If it weren’t for your sister, the Sterling family would have been publicly humiliated. They wouldn’t have let it go, and our company would have been ruined!”

Stella’s face froze for a moment, then she stammered an explanation:

“I… I just wasn’t ready for marriage back then. But I’m back now, aren’t I?”

“Besides, you know how arrogant the Sterlings are. They never really thought highly of our family, and I was pregnant out of wedlock. If I had married into their family back then, I would have just been marrying into a life of being looked down upon and mistreated!”

My eyes were cold as I asked,

“Why are you back?”

Stella looked utterly reasonable.

“Now that the Sterling family has accepted you, they can certainly accept me too, right? It’s perfect!”

“If I marry Julian now, his parents surely won’t treat me too badly. And Leo can finally meet his real mom. It’s good for everyone!”

With that, she took a few steps forward, gripped my hand tightly, and looked at me with what she imagined was sincerity.

“Amelia, you’re free! You can go find your own happiness now.”

I stared expressionlessly into her eyes.

In those almond-shaped eyes was the naivete born of a lifetime of pampering and favoritism.

Her innocence was almost cruel in its self-centeredness.

She genuinely believed that I, her overlooked sister, was meant to sacrifice everything for her.