Chapter 1

My husband, who'd been gone for the past seven years, suddenly showed up.

But he didn't come back alone—he actually brought another woman along.

And now, unbelievably, he wanted me to step aside and let her take my place as his wife.

"Rebecca nearly lost her life to save me, so I owe it to her to marry her," he declared, sounding all self-important.

"If you know what's good for you, just tell everyone we're already divorced," he said, acting all superior.

I stared at his arrogant face, my voice icy as I shot back, "But I'm already married to someone else."

He let out a dismissive laugh, not hiding his contempt.

"Seriously? Drop the act. Everybody knows you've always been hung up on me," he shot back with a sneer.

But I was nothing like the woman I used to be seven years ago.

I was no longer tiptoeing around him or sacrificing my dignity just to follow his every order.

"Bruce, I have no reason to lie to you. I'm already married to someone else," I said, my tone steady and unwavering.

Bruce Freeman shot me a mocking look, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Aurora, still playing pretend?" Bruce said with a sneer.

"I'm not here to discuss anything with you. I'm just letting you know—no matter what you think, I'm marrying Rebecca," he declared, his voice full of arrogance.

Rebecca's glossy braid draped over her shoulder as she clung to Bruce's sleeve, her face the very picture of innocence.

"Bruce, you really shouldn't argue with Aurora because of me. Why don't you just take me home?" she murmured, all soft sweetness, acting like she was oh-so considerate.

But while she claimed she wanted to leave, her hand never let go of Bruce's sleeve, and the look she sent my way was nothing but determined—she was staking her claim and definitely not backing down.

As soon as Rebecca said that, Bruce's expression instantly softened.

"Rebecca, I can't bear to see you hurting anymore. We swore we'd stick together, no matter what," he said, his voice dripping with tenderness.

"Relax, Aurora's always done what I say. I'll make sure you get your rightful spot as my wife," he added, sounding completely convinced everyone would fall in line.

After all these years, Bruce was still just as shameless as ever.

Before I could even say anything, his face turned dark.

"You've been milking your status as the captain's wife for years," Bruce spat out, full of contempt.

"It's about time you step aside and let Rebecca take your place. She's had it rough, and I'm not going to let you push her around anymore," he declared, acting like he was some white knight.

I picked up the cup beside me, took a sip of my coffee, and smirked at him with blatant sarcasm.

"What did I ever do to her? If you're going to throw accusations around, at least have some proof," I said, my voice dripping with mockery.

Bruce's brows drew together in a sour scowl.

He gave me a cold, sweeping stare—like I was barely worth the time.

"Don't think you're all that. If I hadn't pitied you for waiting around so long, you would've been out the door years ago," he snorted, full of scorn.

Kick me out? As if he'd ever had the balls.

Where did he get the nerve to act like I'd waste my life waiting for him?

The day he ditched me alone at the wedding party, I was done with him for good.

Years ago, I sat perfectly still on that bed, decked out in my wedding dress, waiting for Bruce to show up and marry me.

But then, just like that, he vanished into thin air.

Some bike went straight into the river—Bruce disappeared, and only the guy riding with him made it out alive.

For all these years, everyone just assumed he was long dead.

Hell, I was the one who even picked out that empty grave for people to mourn over.

When everyone called me cursed, blaming me for my husband's death, it was Ethan Freeman—the other guy in the family—who actually stood up for me.

If Bruce hadn't suddenly come back, I would've already forgotten him.

So even now, after all these years, seeing him again didn't make me feel a thing.

"Bruce, I'll say this one last time," I said, my tone cold as ice.

"We're not married.

"On all the official records, you're already dead.

"Who you marry has absolutely nothing to do with me."

Bruce let out a mocking laugh.

"About time you came to your senses," he sneered.

"If you hadn't been so obsessed with me back then, I wouldn't have had to run off to the city and put myself through all that crap just to get away from you," he added, his voice full of contempt.

I always knew that river was nothing—a bunch of kids would splash around in there every summer.

And if even the other guy on the bike made it out, there was no way Bruce could've actually died.

Some things never change—he was still the same selfish jerk, always putting himself first and dodging any real responsibility.

Back when the news of Bruce's "death" first made the rounds, his mom just collapsed on the spot, overcome with grief.

She barely recovered before getting so sick she looked ready to keel over—honestly, it seemed like she might follow Bruce to the afterlife any day.

Just then, Ethan Freeman, who had hurried over, caught every word Bruce said.

"Bruce, what are you even talking about?" Ethan cut in, his tone full of disbelief.

"She's the factory director's wife now!" Ethan continued, making sure everyone heard.

"Factory director's wife?" someone nearby repeated, sounding a bit surprised and curious.

Rebecca, standing to the side, put on an innocent look, her big eyes widening just the right amount.

"Bruce, didn't you say your grandpa was only ever going to leave the factory to you?" she chimed in all sweet, pretending she had no idea.

Bruce's expression twitched uneasily for a split second before he masked it with an icy, indifferent glare at me.

"I'm the only son my dad's got. Who else but me is supposed to inherit the factory?" he said, totally dripping with arrogance.

I just stared at Bruce, speechless.

Had he lost his mind? Did he even realize how stupid he sounds right now?