Summary
I wanted to bring my boyfriend home to meet my parents, but he kept making excuses, claiming he had urgent matters at home. To my astonishment, I saw my boyfriend at a wedding. He was the groom! It turned out his "urgent matter" was getting married! He was determined to marry the daughter of the powerful Hamlin family. When the bride learned the truth, far from being angry, she boasted, "I know he had a girlfriend, but, so what if he was two-timing? I'm the daughter of the Hamlin family. And you?" "Anyone with clear sight would know who to choose to marry." But she was merely my stepmother's daughter. I am the true heiress of the Hamlin family.
Chapter 1
During the holiday, I planned to reveal my identity to my boyfriend Jasper and take him home to meet my dad.
He seemed troubled and made excuses about having urgent matters during the holiday.
I didn't insist, and just then, a close friend of mine took me to a wedding to indulge in the feast, but I was speechless when I saw the newlyweds emerge.
Not only was my boyfriend there, but he was also the groom!
Today was his wedding day!
My mind went blank, and I stood there gaping, making sure I wasn’t seeing things.
Jasper, cheerful from the festivities, was animated while talking to others.
But he almost crushed his wine glass when he saw me.
He pulled me aside where it was quiet and questioned, "Bella? What are you doing here?"
Jasper glared at me as if I were the one who had done something wrong.
"That's your 'urgent matter'? Getting married?" I found it absurd. After two years together, a simple breakup would have sufficed, but he betrayed me and even married someone else?
"It’s true I deceived you, but I had no choice. Laura is the only heiress of the Hamlin family. By marrying her, I can skip decades of struggle!"
"We're adults. Love alone isn't enough. Money and a better life matter more to me!"
Jasper showed no guilt about being caught. Instead, he blamed me for hindering his future.
I never realized how ambitious and opportunistic he was.
And the only heiress of the Hamlin family?
My father hadn't had children for years, apart from the daughter brought by his mistress.
After my parents divorced due to his affair, I lived with my mother and changed my surname.
After my mother's death, my father kept contacting me to take over the company, but I resented his neglect.
I had never mentioned this to Jasper during our relationship.
I had hoped to introduce Jasper to my dad this time and tell him my story, but he presented me with this shocking revelation first.
Seeing I was silent, Jasper stepped forward, trying to soothe me. "Bella, I'm married now, but since we've been together for two years, I’ll make it up to you by paying you money every month."
What? Did he mean he wanted to keep me as a mistress even after marriage?
I felt nauseous, looking at this man I had loved for two years.
"You cheat on me and marry someone else secretly, and now you want to keep me on the side? Aren't you afraid I'll tell your wife everything?"
Jasper panicked, fearing I'd make a scene at the wedding.
His face turned cold as he threatened in a low voice, "I'm being kind because of my affection for you. Don't be ungrateful!"
I pushed him away forcefully.
"Get lost, you jerk! I've wasted two years on you. I'm breaking up with you unilaterally!"
Relieved by my words, he visibly relaxed.
I wondered what he would do if he knew that the so-called only Hamlin heiress he spoke of was just a stepdaughter.
And I was the real heir.
I scoffed, "I hope that Hamlin girl you mention really helps your career soar."
The bride, Laura, found us and clung to Jasper's arm, declaring her territory with a hostile glance at me.
I felt obligated to tell her about the relationship between Jasper and me.
"Your husband Jasper was still dating me the day before your wedding. He's a scoundrel!"
Instead of getting upset, Laura looked me up and down dismissively.
"No need to remind me. I know he had a girlfriend, but, so what if he was two-timing? That just shows he's charming, and that's all in the past."
"I'm the daughter of the Hamlin family! And you? It's obvious who one should choose to marry."
With a scornful glance, she concluded.
"You didn't come here today just to ask for money, did you?"
After her mother married my father, Laura quickly had her name changed. I haven't been home for years, and she certainly didn't recognize me.
What a misunderstanding, despite my good intentions.
I turned and left the wedding.
Not that I was letting Jasper off easily. I was just waiting for a better opportunity.