Chapter 1Not Your Backup Bride

When I was 18, I caught my sister lifting Carter’s shirt, her hands trailing over his abs.

The boy’s shirt hung loose, and he simply let her do whatever she wanted.

At 22, Carter listened to his family and married me.

But everyone knew that even though we were married, he still couldn't let go of the sister he loved so fiercely.

Later, I asked for a divorce.

He stayed silent for a long time before finally signing the divorce papers.

"If you ever need any help in the future, just ask."

At 28, I came back to attend his wedding to my sister.

He glared darkly at the man standing beside me.

"You couldn't wait to divorce me back then. Was it all just for him?"

* * *

"I heard Maya Hayes is back."

"I remember she was the one who asked for the divorce, right?"

"Carter Vance is the CEO of the Vance family now. I bet she's regretting it."

"What's there to regret? She stole her sister's marriage in the first place. This is just returning things to their rightful owner."

...

The moment I stepped toward the VIP room, I heard them talking about me.

Over the past three years, the rumors about me hadn't died down.

They all said I was just playing hard to get.

Even my own parents thought so.

On the day of my divorce, my mother specifically warned me:

"Since you two are divorced, you are not to contact him anymore."

"Your sister injured her leg, and she needs Carter right now. Don't do anything to upset her."

Seeing me look down in silence, she added:

"This marriage belonged to your sister in the first place. If she hadn't gone abroad to further her career, it never would have been your turn."

My sister, Serena Hayes, and Carter Vance had been the envy of our social circle.

But on the eve of their wedding, Serena ran away.

By then, the news of the two families merging had already been announced to the press.

Under immense public pressure, the Vance family elders decided to swap the bride and have him marry me instead.

I don't know how they convinced him, but Carter eventually agreed to marry me.

For three years, we lived like a perfectly normal married couple.

But everyone knew that despite marrying me, he had never let go of Serena.

He never let me into his home office.

One day, he forgot to lock the door. I peeked through the crack and instantly felt like I had been plunged into an ice bath.

The walls of his study were covered in his and Serena's pre-wedding photos.

I had never seen Carter look like that.

So vibrant, so doting, so utterly focused.

His eyes were entirely filled with Serena.

That was the moment the thought of divorce first crossed my mind.

On the day I finally made up my mind, I accidentally overheard him on the phone.

He was speaking in a gentle, coaxing voice to the person on the other end:

"Yeah, don't be scared. I'll be there in ten minutes... Don't try to walk, just wait for me. Be a good girl."

The moment he turned around, he saw me.

I spoke calmly, "Dinner is ready. Have some before you leave."

He paused for a brief second, then continued walking toward the door.

"You eat. Don't wait up for me."

Just as he was about to step out, I called his name again.

A flash of impatience crossed his face. "What is it?"

"Carter," I said. "Let's get a divorce."