Sterling City buzzed with news: the "foolish prince" Ashton heir would marry a Woodley daughter. My parents panicked, forcing me to replace my sister. I refused, reminding them they’d disowned me years ago, then fled overseas. Within six months, Jane—driven to madness by loneliness—was caught cheating at the Ashton gala and took her own life. The scandal ruined our family. I begged my fiancé to help, but he sneered, “I shorted your stock to destroy Woodley Industries. Why save you?” “If you hadn’t abandoned Jane, would she be dead? You’re all murderers.” He sold me to a loan shark and watched me die. Only then did I realize—his heart had always been Jane’s. Now, reborn, I’ll marry the prince willingly. But when I stand crowned above them all, their regret will drive them mad… 1 Five years ago, the heir to the Ashton family of Sterling City was brutally attacked. He survived, but was left a simpleton, a man-child with no signs of recovery. Now, at a gathering where the Ashton matriarch was selecting a bride for him, he had clutched a card bearing the name of the Woodley family’s daughter. The matriarch’s decree was swift: the Woodley daughter would be his wife. The news spread like wildfire. The city’s elite daughters waited with bated breath to see Jane Woodley’s humiliation. Everyone knew the Woodleys had only one daughter of note: Jane. My parents’ hair turned white overnight. They couldn’t bear to marry their precious, pampered princess to a fool, even if he was the revered “prince” of Sterling City. I stared at my own youthful reflection in the mirror, my straight-cut bangs framing my face, and counted down in my head. Three, two, one… The door to my room was kicked open. My brother, Victor, was the first to charge in. “Bonnie! If you want to get technical about it, you’re the real Woodley daughter. This marriage should be yours. Why should Jane have to marry that idiot?” “I don’t care if you want to or not. The Ashtons are coming for a bride in a week, and you’re going to marry him in Jane’s place!” My parents followed close behind him. From their worried expressions, they had just come from Jane’s room. The house had been in an uproar for the past hour. Our housekeeper, Mrs. Gable, had snuck me the news: Jane was on a hunger strike, swearing she’d rather die than marry the prince. My parents were terrified, and had spent the last hour coaxing her to drink half a bowl of thin porridge. They couldn’t bear to see Jane suffer, so they came to pressure me. But I was their only biological daughter. I calmly met Victor’s hateful glare. “Brother, you must be confused. Ten years ago, Mother personally struck my name from the family registry in front of the entire clan. She said she only recognized Jane as her daughter, and that the Woodley family had only one young lady.” “The Ashtons specifically asked for the Woodley daughter. If I, an outsider, were to marry into their family, aren't you afraid of incurring their wrath? The entire Woodley family would suffer the consequences.” Jane was not my mother’s biological child, yet she had monopolized all of my mother’s affection. Ten years ago, my mother was mugged. Our nanny shielded her, taking a knife for her and dying on the spot. She left behind a young daughter. Out of gratitude, my mother took the little girl in, raised her as her own, gave her our family name, and even added her to the family registry. And as she did, she grew more and more distant from me. Jane had a lively, vivacious personality, and with my mother’s doting, her status in the family quickly surpassed my own. I was young and couldn’t hide my jealousy. I tried to put her in her place, reminding her not to forget who she was. She showed no fear, only provoking me further. The day I finally snapped and raised my hand to her, she stumbled backward and fell into the deBonnietive pond. Without a second thought, my mother dove in after her, frantic. Jane’s face was pale with cold. She clung to my mother’s sleeve, her voice a frightened whisper. “Madam, I just… I miss my own mother so much, and I accidentally called you ‘Momma.’ And then… Miss Bonnie tried to kill me…” My mother’s heart broke for her. “Silly girl,” she’d cooed. “From now on, you can call me Momma.” Then she turned to me, her eyes filled with disappointment. “You are so cruel. Sometimes I truly wonder if you are my real daughter.” Watching them cling to each other, my heart felt like it was being slowly, agonizingly shredded by a dull knife. She didn’t even give me a chance to explain. She made me kneel in the ancestral hall for three days and three nights, then personally struck my name from the family records. Overnight, I became the outsider in my own home, while Jane became the apple of my parents’ eye. She was pampered for ten years. Even my notoriously hot-tempered brother, Victor, was putty in her hands. In my past life, they had pressured me in the exact same way. Hurt by their blatant favoritism, I had stormed out and fled the country. But I couldn’t escape being dragged down by Jane’s fate. This time, I wouldn’t be so impulsive. “If I recall correctly, Woodley Industries’ most important upcoming project is with the Ashtons of Sterling City. Can you afford the consequences of their anger?” My reminder gave them pause. My parents hesitated, unsure of what to say. Victor sneered. “Are you blaming Mother for neglecting you all these years?” “Bonnie, how can I have such a petty sister? Compared to Jane, you really don't seem like a part of this family.” In the past, his words would have cut me to the quick. But now, I didn’t care. I curved my lips into a smile and gave my parents a respectful nod. “Father, Mother. I am willing to marry the Ashtons’ foolish prince.” 2 My parents’ eyes lit up. “However… I have a condition.” “I want you to hold a press conference and personally tell the world that I am the true daughter of the Woodley family.” My parents exchanged uneasy glances. “Well…” Before they could respond, Victor lunged at me, grabbing the collar of my shirt. “I knew you weren’t being so kind! After all these years, you still resent Jane for taking your place!” I twisted my wrist, pushing his hand away. “You misunderstand, brother. This isn’t about me.” “Only when my identity as the Woodley daughter is made public can I marry into the Ashton family with legitimacy.” My mother looked conflicted. After a long pause, she reluctantly agreed. “Fine. I’ll arrange it now. We’ll hold a press conference for you, restore your status, and tell them that Jane is our adopted daughter.” Just then, Jane appeared at the doorway, looking frail and delicate. Hearing my mother’s words, tears immediately welled in her eyes. She whimpered, “Momma… are you abandoning me?” She shot me a resentful glare, then turned and ran. But after only a few steps, she collapsed in a faint. Victor was there in a flash, scooping her into his arms. My parents rushed after them, their faces etched with worry. A bitter taste filled my mouth. In this family, I would always be the outsider. I heard Jane threw a massive tantrum after she woke up, but the press conference went ahead as scheduled. I stood silently as Mrs. Gable fastened a pearl necklace around my neck. The irony was suffocating. I was their biological daughter, yet I didn’t own a single piece of decent jewelry. Even this necklace was a leftover from what Jane had picked out last year, left to gather dust in a forgotten corner of her closet. If it weren’t for today’s special occasion, it would never have seen the light of day. For the first time in years, my mother took my arm as we entered the hall. Jane sat on the other side. The room was filled with reporters and the most influential young ladies of our city. “Thank you all for coming,” my mother began. “Today, I have some joyous news to share…” “We are deeply honored that the Ashton family of Sterling City wishes to marry our daughter. I haven't had the chance to properly introduce her before. This is Bonnie, my biological daughter, our family’s second young miss. In a few days, she will be marrying into the Ashton family…” Second young miss? My initial shock gave way to a derisive sneer. My own mother, so desperate to protect Jane’s feelings that she couldn't even give me back what was rightfully mine, even when I was sacrificing my entire future. As soon as she finished speaking, whispers erupted throughout the room. “The Woodleys have another daughter? I’ve never heard of her. Didn’t they always say Bonnie was adopted, that she wasn’t even in the family registry?” “Can’t you see what’s happening? They can’t bear to marry their precious princess to that fool, so they’re subbing in the adopted one! Mrs. Woodley is clever. The Ashton matriarch just said ‘the Woodley daughter,’ she didn’t specify a name. This way, it’s not technically a lie.” “But I heard this Bonnie is the nanny’s daughter. Mrs. Woodley only took her in out of gratitude. For someone like her to marry into the Ashton family… she’s really hit the jackpot.” My face darkened as I listened to their pointing and whispering. Across the room, Jane shot me a triumphant look. I returned it with a contemptuous smile, slowly withdrawing my hand from my mother’s arm. “There seems to be a misunderstanding,” I said, my voice low and clear. “The truth is, the Woodley family has only ever had one daughter. Jane is the one you’re all referring to as the nanny’s child.” My mother never expected me to expose her lie so publicly. She scrambled to cover my mouth. “Be quiet! Don’t you dare speak such nonsense!” But the people here today were seasoned socialites. They were sharp. Their eyes darted between me and Jane, their minds already putting the pieces together. “You wouldn’t dare say something like that about bloodlines unless you were sure. And look how flustered Mrs. Woodley is. What Bonnie is saying is probably true…” “And now that you mention it, Bonnie does have the air of a true heiress. I always thought there was something a little… common about Jane.” “Still, can you imagine? A mother who neglects her own flesh and blood to pamper a nanny’s daughter like a treasure?” 3 Jane’s face turned scarlet under their scrutiny. She shook her head, flustered. “No, that’s not it! That’s not what happened! Bonnie, why would you say such things?” I scoffed. “What’s the matter? After all these years of living my life, have you forgotten your own name? Or should I say… Daisy May?” A few of the more outspoken young ladies burst out laughing. “Daisy May? That sounds about right. Definitely a nanny’s kid.” Jane’s face went from red to white and back again. “That’s enough! Don’t you talk to Jane like that!” My fiancé, Liam, rushed to her side, his chest heaving with anger. He was supposed to be my fiancé, yet here he was, publicly defending Jane, condemning me without a second thought. The memory of his hatred in my past life, the agony of my death at the hands of those men, sent a shiver down my spine. “What’s the matter, Mr. Hayes? Can’t accept that your future wife is the daughter of a nanny?” I looked at him coldly. A flicker of guilt crossed Liam’s eyes. “You… you knew?” “Your marriage to the Ashtons was their decision. My family wouldn’t dare defy them. Naturally, our engagement is off. The truth is, I’ve been in love with Jane for years. I was the one who asked your father for her hand… Don’t take your anger out on her. She’s done nothing wrong.” “Ha. She stole my identity, my mother’s love, forced me to marry in her place, and now she’s stolen my fiancé. She’s a real innocent, isn’t she?” I laid Jane’s true nature bare for all to see. Gasps rippled through the crowd. The looks directed at Jane became even more complex. Her face was a mask of fury. She picked up a cup of hot tea and approached me, forcing a look of humility as she apologized. “Bonnie, I’m so sorry. But today, in front of everyone, could you please just leave me a little dignity?” Before I could answer, her body jolted, and the scalding tea spilled all over her. Her delicate, white hands instantly turned a painful red. In the next second, a sharp, burning sting exploded on my cheek. It swelled up immediately. My mother’s hand was still raised in the air. She looked from my face to her hand, then back again, speechless for a moment before finally managing, “Bonnie, you’ve gone too far!” She then immediately turned to fret over Jane’s injuries. The moment Jane cried out in pain, Liam had already shielded her, cradling her hands like precious jewels, blowing on them to cool the burns. He frantically called for medical staff. I stood there, alone, and suddenly, the whole thing felt utterly pointless. After the press conference, I took a taxi home alone. When I got to my room, there was a letter on my dressing table. It was in Liam’s familiar handwriting. I opened it. The words “Engagement Annulment” burned my eyes. He really couldn’t wait to cut ties with me. Fine. The next time we meet, we’ll settle our scores. The door creaked open. I turned to see my mother, a rare look of guilt in her eyes. “Bonnie… I was too impulsive. I shouldn’t have hit you. Don’t be angry with me…” “Jane’s mother died for me. I owe her a life. I know I’ve neglected you all these years, and you’ve been wronged. But I just want you and Jane to get along. You are both the most important people in the world to me.” A cool sensation spread across my cheek. My mother’s fingertips, coated in ointment, gently smoothed over my skin. “You’re getting married soon. A scar on your face wouldn’t look good…” It had been so long since she had spoken to me so softly. For a fleeting moment, my resolve wavered. But her next words sent my heart plummeting back to the depths. “What happened today… you were still too impulsive. Go and apologize to Jane, and I’ll pretend this never happened.” 4 I looked at her in disbelief. “I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize to her?” “You burned her hands like that, and you still say you did nothing wrong? Bonnie, why are you so stubborn?” Victor stormed into the room. He had just gotten back from the office and heard about what happened. He was furious. “I did nothing wrong!” He sneered, grabbing my arm and twisting it behind my back. “If I have to drag you, I’ll drag you to Jane’s room and make you kneel and apologize!” His grip was painful. I winced, shouting at him, “Victor, I am the future bride of the Ashton heir! I’m not someone you can just push around anymore! You’d better think twice before you lay a hand on me!” He froze, then reluctantly released me. His eyes fell on Mrs. Gable, who was standing behind me. He lunged at her, his hand closing around her throat. “You’re the future Ashton bride, so I can’t touch you. But I can touch her, can’t I?” He was serious. Mrs. Gable’s face turned purple, and she clawed at his hand, her eyes pleading with me for help. He knew my weakness. “Fine. I’ll go.” My palm was throbbing from how tightly I was clenching my fist. Victor shoved me forward. Liam was still at Jane’s bedside, carefully applying ointment to her burns. Every time she winced, his face contorted in pain. I swallowed my humiliation and my hatred. I forced the tears back and choked out the words. “I’m sorry.” A sudden force struck the back of my knees, and I collapsed onto the floor beside Jane’s bed. She laughed, a triumphant, mocking sound, and leaned close to my ear. “See? What does it matter if you’re the real Woodley daughter? You still have to bow your head and apologize to me.” “I told you. Everything you have, everything you care about in this house… I will take it all, one by one.” She leaned back into Liam’s arms, smiling smugly. A commotion from downstairs interrupted her gloating. The butler’s voice boomed through the house, announcing that the Ashtons had arrived with the betrothal gifts. They filled the entire front hall and spilled out into the back garden. Even the doorway to Jane’s room was piled high with treasures. Jane, despite her pampered upbringing, had never seen such a magnificent display. Her eyes landed on a crown of pink diamonds, and she couldn't hide her envy. I recognized it. It was the final, one-of-a-kind piece from last week’s auction in Paris, valued at over ten billion. She shot me a venomous look. “Bonnie is so lucky,” she said, her voice dripping with acid. “Such a generous betrothal gift. It’s clear how much the Ashton heir adores you. I’ll never have such fortune…” The moment a hint of sadness crossed her face, my mother couldn’t bear it. “Silly child,” she soothed. “When you get married, your father and I will give you the very best. If you like these things, I’ll have Bonnie leave them all for you as part of your dowry.” Jane immediately brightened, her gaze turning to me, more arrogant than ever. “Oh, never mind. I hear the Ashton heir is a fool. If Bonnie is lucky enough to have a child to secure her position, then fine. But if not, she’ll need this money to live on. I couldn’t possibly take it from her.” “But… I do wonder… if a fool has a child, will it be a little fool, too?” She batted her eyelashes at me innocently. I clenched my jaw and ignored her. She was mocking my difficult future, but she had no idea that compared to the Ashton family, this house, right here, was the real hell for me. The wedding day arrived in a blur. Normally, my mother should have been the one to see me off. But just as I was about to leave, one of Jane’s maids rushed in, saying Jane was having heart palpitations. Without a moment’s hesitation, my mother dropped my hand and hurried away. Mrs. Gable was indignant on my behalf, her voice thick with tears. “It’s your wedding day, miss. How could your mother not even see you off?” I watched my mother’s retreating back, swallowing the bitterness in my throat. “Let’s go. We can’t be late.” I was used to this kind of neglect, this blatant favoritism. So why did my nose still sting with tears? Thankfully, the Ashton wedding ceremony was incredibly elaborate, leaving me no time for self-pity. As I entered the bridal chamber, my heart pounded with anxiety. I had no idea how to face a husband I’d never met, a man who was said to be a fool. I had no idea what my future held. I only knew one thing: I would have my revenge. A crisp, clean scent of cedarwood drifted past me. I heard a low chuckle, and the red veil covering my face was lifted. When Julian Ashton’s eyes met mine, it was as if a thousand tiny stars had been scattered in their depths. They shone with a breathtaking brilliance. He pulled me into his arms. “Thank God,” he breathed. “I’ve finally married you.”
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