Chapter 1

I had sex with a disabled delivery guy at my sister Lauren Summers's wedding, and my whole family caught us red-handed.

But instead of feeling ashamed, I actually announced that I wanted to marry him.

All because, in my previous life, someone had spiked my drink.

I woke up in bed half-naked with Lauren's fiancé, Charles Grant.

Lauren was so furious that she had a heart attack on the spot. Before she died, she left a will demanding that I take her place and fulfill the duties of a wife.

Drowning in guilt, despised by the world, I stayed with Charles without a name or title.

I worked day and night caring for his paralyzed parents, and I even gave birth to two sons for him.

To support his business, I borrowed millions in online loans under my name.

I pushed myself so hard that I developed liver cancer. And just when I was at my lowest, Lauren reappeared, holding Charles's hand. "Samantha, thank you for looking after Charles's parents and carrying the burden of keeping his family line alive."

Charles then pulled fifty dollars out of his pocket and threw it in my face. "Here's fifty bucks for your cremation. The boys are thrilled I found them a gorgeous stepmother. Now go die in peace."

Right before I coughed up blood and died, I finally realized my sister had set me up my entire life.

When I opened my eyes again, I had time-traveled back to Lauren's wedding day.

*****

I felt a strange heat rush through my body, and I quickly lowered my head.

The half-empty glass of wine in my hand told me something was very wrong.

Forcing myself to move while I still had strength, I set the glass down and stumbled toward the empty stairwell.

The moment I pushed open the door, I ran straight into a delivery guy who happened to be walking up.

He had stubble on his chin, and there was something unusual about the way he walked.

I couldn't care less. My body went limp against him, my face flushed red. "Please, help me—"

Before he could even respond, everything went black.

In a daze, I felt someone carrying me somewhere quiet, pressing water to my lips.

Then faintly, I heard Lauren's wailing echoing from not far away. "Samantha actually hooked up with my fiancé at my wedding. She's my sister—"

Memories of all the schemes from my previous life flashed through me, and I jolted awake.

I hadn't even straightened my torn clothes when the door suddenly slammed open.

Lauren Summers, my sister, stormed in at the head of a crowd. "Well, I knew it. You really did cheat with my fiancé."

Without another word, she rushed over and slapped me twice, hard. "Samantha, you shameless slut, even my fiancé isn't off-limits to you."

She jabbed a finger at the shadow in the bathroom and lunged to yank my hair. "You've disgraced me and our parents. How are we supposed to face our relatives and friends now?"

The room erupted. Everyone started shouting accusations at me.

I grabbed Lauren's arm as she tried to fake a heart attack. "Lauren, what the hell are you saying? Where's Charles?"

"You still dare deny it?" she snapped, but I cut her off.

Keeping my composure, I dragged her to the bathroom door. "Take a good look. Is this really your fiancé?"

I pointed at the delivery uniform hanging outside and shoved the bathroom door open.

The sight of a stranger showering inside left everyone stunned. Lauren froze, caught completely off guard.

"Where's Charles?" she stammered.

I sneered at her panicked, ridiculous face, "How should I know where your fiancé is? That's your problem, not mine."

With the crowd buzzing in confusion, I pulled my clothes tighter across my chest and walked calmly into the bathroom.

"Mom, Dad, it was love at first sight." I took the delivery guy's hand with grim resolve. "You've been pushing me to get married. Fine, I've decided. I'll marry him."

The delivery man's eyes went wide as he suddenly realized he wasn't even dressed.

He grabbed a bathrobe and clutched it around himself, scratching his head awkwardly. "Miss, this is a mistake."

Lauren's face darkened as she snatched up a disability certificate from the floor. "Samantha, are you insane? You want to marry a cripple?"

My parents, who had followed her in, hoping to catch me red-handed, turned livid.

"Are you that desperate for a man? You actually slept with him at Lauren's wedding?" my mother snapped.

"We poured so much into raising you. Fine, maybe you can't land a rich husband like Lauren, but you'd throw yourself at some broke, useless bum?" my father chimed in.

My father raised his hand to strike me, but the delivery man suddenly stepped in front of me and took the slap.

The sharp crack made the whole room flinch.

For the first time, I really looked at him. Yes, he had a limp, a scruffy beard, and rough features, but his posture was strong, his frame broad, and his eyes—surprisingly handsome.

Calm in the chaos, his voice was steady. "This is a misunderstanding. Please, give me a chance to explain."

But before anyone could respond, one of Lauren's bridesmaids rushed in breathlessly. "Lauren, your fiancé is outside harassing a female guest. It's turning into a scene—you need to come now."

Lauren's face went pale. She couldn't worry about me anymore and ran off in a hurry.

Relieved, I quickly straightened my clothes. Pulling out all the cash I had on me, I pressed it into the delivery man's hand. "I'm sorry I dragged you into my family mess and caused you trouble. I'll make this right. Here's my number—if you ever need anything, no matter what it is, you can call me."

I dressed quickly, bowed to him in thanks, and hurried to catch up with the crowd.

When I reached the lobby, Charles was being held down by a group of people, getting beaten.

Nearby, a girl was curled up on the floor, sobbing. "I was eating, and Charles suddenly came up from behind, trying to undo my clothes. He kept trying to kiss me, and the more I struggled, the more excited he got. If you don't believe me, check the security footage."

Lauren froze for a moment, then shot Charles a venomous glare.

Unexpectedly, by sheer coincidence, the spiked wine had ended up in Charles' glass, and he had drunk it.

Now he was lying on the floor, dazed and groggy, eyes half-closed. "Baby, kiss me. I will satisfy you," he mumbled.

Lauren's face went slack.

But to protect Charles' reputation, she forced herself toward the girl who had been harassed and slapped her hard across the face. "You bitch. You must have been trying to seduce my fiancé."

Then, clutching her chest, she wailed dramatically. "Why am I so unlucky? My shameless sister sleeps with a man at my wedding. My fiancé behaves so disgracefully. All this humiliation on my wedding day, what honor do I have left? Maybe I should just die."

Suddenly, Lauren pretended to be weak and helpless.

I hadn't expected her to still be scheming against me. My patience snapped. I stepped forward and slapped her hard. "Lauren, pull yourself together."

While she was stunned, I kept hitting her a few more times, giving her no chance to fake a fainting act. "Being a rich society wife isn't easy. Men will cheat—learn to turn a blind eye," I said calmly.

Everyone stared at me in shock as I lectured Lauren.

My parents rushed forward to intervene. "Charles is the kind of perfect catch you can't find even if you light a lantern. Just tolerate it."

My mother jabbed my head, her face full of reproach. "Samantha already slept with that disabled delivery guy. Our reputation is ruined. Do you want to end up like her?"

"Our reputation's in ruins because of Samantha. Now we're counting on you," my father added.

I stayed silent, letting them scold me. They had no idea.

Charles Grant had carefully presented himself as wealthy.

In reality, his family was on the brink of bankruptcy. His parents, bedridden from strokes and cerebral infarctions, required constant care.

Lauren only discovered the truth right before the wedding.

Through her and Charles' plotting, I had been made the scapegoat, left to clean up the mess.

Thinking about the misery I endured in my previous life filled me with endless rage.

Seeing the focus shift, Lauren joined in mocking me. "Now everyone knows you're a shameless slut sleeping with a delivery guy. If Charles' parents find out, they'll despise me.

"You've ruined my wedding. Even if we're siblings, you have to take responsibility."

She counted off her points on her fingers, haughtily lecturing me. "You pay for the entire wedding today. And since you're dead set on marrying that disabled delivery guy, I, as your sister, must protect the family's assets.

"Transfer to me the house Grandma left you and all the money you've saved over the years. I won't allow you to throw it away on a cripple."

My parents praised Lauren's actions, pressing me further. "Lauren's doing this for your own good, to keep you from being trapped by a poor man. Go handle the paperwork quickly."

Even though Charles was still sprawled half-dressed on the floor, they still thought the most disgraceful person was me.

I could no longer suppress the tidal wave of anger inside me.

I was about to speak up when a group of people burst out of the elevator, cameras in hand, moving with urgency.

The person leading them held a walkie-talkie, tense. "Have you found Ethan yet?"

Guests watching the crowd seemed curious, whispering among themselves.

"I heard a film crew is shooting at this hotel today. Apparently, it's the movie starring Best Actor Ethan Shay."

"You mean the Shay family heir who refused to inherit the family fortune, went into acting, and ended up winning Best Actor? Oh my, do you think we might see a celebrity?"

My parents and Lauren lost focus for only a couple of seconds before turning on me again.

Even Charles, now fully conscious, joined in.

He leered at me, his hand reaching up to grope my face. "Didn't think you were into this kind of thing—sleeping with a cripple. If I'd known you were that open, I would've slept with you first," he sneered.

Catching Lauren's sharp glare, he coughed and changed tactics, slinging an arm over my shoulder. "I had someone check. The spiked drink I had came from you. Admit it—were you trying to seduce me?"

He leaned in close, his voice slimy. "I could keep this from Lauren, but you—"

Disgust churned in my stomach. I raised my hand to shove him away.

A sharp voice cut through the chaos. "Don't touch her."

Everyone turned at once.

It was the delivery man who had saved me earlier.

He was still in his cap and uniform, but his eyes reddened as he looked at me, seeing me standing there with tears brimming.

Limping slightly, he strode toward me.

He yanked Charles away from me and took my hand firmly. "You said you'd marry me. Did you mean it?"

His face was hard, but his voice was gentle.

My heart trembled. Rather than let my family crush me again, I'd rather marry the man who had just helped me.

I lifted my chin, my gaze steady. "I meant it. I'm going to marry you. What's done is done—I won't go back on my word. I'll take responsibility for you."

He touched his beard, then let out a small laugh. "You've got it backwards. I'm the one who should take responsibility."

From his pocket, he produced a sleek black card and handed it to me, his smile turning mysterious. "Since you're so determined, I should show my sincerity. Looks like you're in trouble—take this card for now."

Charles and Lauren both snorted.

"Are you insane? A stinking delivery guy pretending to be rich? Samantha, you're pathetic. He's not just crippled—he's crazy, too," Charles jeered.

Lauren jabbed her finger at me, signaling her bridesmaid to start filming. "A beggar and a slut. Perfect match," she sneered.

The smile slid off the delivery man's face. His expression darkened, an aura of menace settling over him. "Watch your mouth," he warned quietly.

Being talked back to by a delivery guy she looked down on made Lauren explode. "You piece of trash, who do you think you're talking to? Believe it or not, I'll hit you."

She dragged Charles forward, both of them rolling up their sleeves, ready to attack.

I instinctively stepped in front of the delivery man, shielding him. "Don't be scared. I won't let them hurt you."

Just as the tension hit a breaking point, the delivery man chuckled softly. With one fluid motion, he pulled off his cap and peeled away the fake scars on his face, tossing them aside.

The film crew that had been wandering the lobby froze where they stood.

At the exact moment Charles lunged at him, several burly men stepped in and restrained Charles instantly.

The man with the walkie-talkie broke into a wide grin and hurried toward us. "Ethan, so this is where you've been. Everyone's been going crazy looking for you."