Divorcing Her, I Married My Rival

A week before the wedding, my fiance, Seraphina Thorne, declared she had to marry her ex-boyfriend first before she could marry me.

Her ex, Caleb Reed's mother, Mrs. Evelyn Reed, was critically ill, with not long left to live.

Her last wish was to see her son married and with a child.

Mrs. Reed has always hoped Caleb would have his own family, a child. I'm just trying to fulfill a mother's dying wish, don't overthink it, Leo.

But my company had already tied our "True Love Collection" jewelry launch to the date of our extravagant wedding.

She frowned, "It's just a few billion dollars, can it compare to a mother's last wish? If you're so desperate for that money, go find someone else to marry!"

Her cold words left me with a bitter understanding. I turned and dialed my brother, Adam Vance.

"Adam, find me a new bride."

My brother sounded utterly disbelieving. "You're calling off your wedding?!"

"No, she's marrying someone else."

I forced a wry smile.

To be with Seraphina, I had defied immense pressure from my family. I even convinced the board to link our multi-billion dollar 'True Love Collection' project to our wedding date, making it a commercial testament to our love.

But now, it was all for nothing.

Adam was silent for a long moment. Then he said, "Then it has to be Blair Sterling. Her family is pushing hard, and she's also looking for a husband lately."

My brow furrowed. Blair Sterling, my arch-rival. On the day of my engagement, she'd even mocked that my marriage wouldn't last. I never expected her words to become a chilling prophecy.

Time was short. I could only say, "Alright, she's the one. See what she thinks. If not, I'll figure something else out."

Adam blurted out, "No need to ask, she'll definitely agree."

"What?"

I wanted to ask more, but a group of people suddenly surrounded me.

"You must be Sera's fianc, you're so handsome!"

"Are you here to pick up Sera from work? She'll be right down. You two are just adorable."

I gripped the steering wheel, my gaze dropping to hide the self-mockery in my eyes.

Seraphina had introduced me to her colleagues and friends early on. In everyone's eyes, we were the envied model couple.

But no one could have imagined she was about to marry another man.

After bidding goodbye to the others, Seraphina got in the car and handed me a watch.

"Caleb asked me to give you this. Yesterday at the hospital, you said those things in front of his mother, it made him look really bad. Apologize to him when you get a chance."

The watch was clearly a freebie with a full-priced purchase; I'd seen it in Seraphina's online cart just a couple days ago.

I said flatly, "I don't want it."

Seraphina frowned. "What are you trying to pull now? You barged into the hospital room and said I wasn't his fiance, embarrassing him. He isn't even holding a grudge, he even thought to bring you a gift, and you're being so ungrateful?"

The Seraphina who used to defend me was gone. Now, she cherished someone else.

Seraphina irritably rolled down the window, letting the wind blow through. After a long silence, seeing that I wasn't going to humor or coax her as usual, she finally said, "Fine, whatever. Today we have a fitting for the wedding dress, I'm not going to argue with you."

It was the first time she'd backed down all year.

At the bridal boutique, a sales assistant greeted us.

"Miss Thorne, Mr. Vance, your twenty custom-made suits and wedding dresses are ready."

Seraphina's attention wasn't on the clothes. She was staring down at her phone, a hint of urgency on her face.

Catching my eye, she quickly put her phone away, a flicker of apology in her expression.

"Leo, something's come up with Caleb, I need to rush over right away. You try on the suits yourself, and pick a wedding dress for me, I trust your taste."

With that, she hastily hailed a taxi and left, leaving me standing there alone.

The sales assistant quickly approached, tentatively asking, "Mr. Vance, would you like to personally select the wedding dress?"

I withdrew my gaze and nodded.

Of course I would select the wedding dress. Just not for Seraphina.

After all, the bride had changed.

I got in my car and drove home, expecting Seraphina not to return all night. Instead, I saw her before dinner.

She walked purposefully towards me, holding a gift box.

"I practically scoured the entire city to get these for you, your favorite artisanal chocolates from that one shop."

I looked at the box of chocolates.

There were three fewer than usual, and one of them had a tooth mark, clearly bitten into.

Half an hour ago, I'd seen Caleb post on his SnapChat story.

The picture was of the exact same chocolates in my hand.

"My amazing wife, always thinking of me, even late at night! Love you!"

I set the box of chocolates down with a bitter laugh. My appetite was gone.

"I don't feel like eating them. Throw them away."

Seraphina instantly glared at me with displeasure but held back her anger. She sat beside me and began to complain.

"You have no idea how pathetic Caleb was today. My parents went to his house and told him his family was poor, couldn't even afford decent gifts. He literally cried."

"Caleb just got back to the country, he doesn't have much savings. I was hoping we could divert the assets you prepared for our wedding to him first."

Her unquestionable tone filled me with disgust.

I looked at her with a sneer. "So, I'm supposed to pay for your husband to marry you?"

I used to care about Seraphina. If she asked, I'd give her anything, do anything for her.

But now, she had personally woken me up.

Thinking back, ever since Caleb returned, everything she did was for him.

She had forgotten that I was the one meant to spend the rest of my life with her.

My answer enraged Seraphina. "What is that supposed to mean? You're refusing? You better get this straight, Caleb is my most important friend, and you better keep him happy, otherwise, I won't marry you!"

With that, she slammed the door and left.

Feeling restless, I went downstairs to the park for a run.

After just one lap, I received a call from Blair Sterling.

Thinking of the usually stone-faced Blair, I hesitated for two seconds before answering.

"Once you're on my boat, you're mine. Try to run, and I'll drag you back!"

Blair's first sentence was a punch to the gut.

I remained silent, and she continued:

"First, give me your identification. We're going to get married at the registry office."

"I'm afraid you'll back out."

Blair, something's definitely off with you.

I'd already conjured a million scenarios in my head of her using our marriage to torment me.

In the end, all I could manage was, "See you at the wedding, Miss Sterling."

The moment I hung up, Seraphina appeared behind me, I don't know when.

"You're inviting Blair to our wedding? No way!"

Her eyes narrowed, glaring at me like I was the enemy.

"Leo, I told you not to associate with Blair! Her intentions towards you aren't pure. If you insist on inviting her to our wedding, don't blame me for cutting ties!"

I hadn't even said a word, and she was already throwing down ultimatums.

Seraphina had always disliked Blair, always harboring some inexplicable hostility. When we first started dating, she even got intensely jealous because Blair and I often clashed at business forums. Later, I gradually reduced my public contact with Blair.

But she actually said Blair's intentions towards me weren't pure?

I was about to press her when Caleb suddenly stumbled, turning to embrace Seraphina.

"Sera, you're hurting my hand"

It was then I realized they had been strolling, fingers intertwined.

Seraphina coughed uncomfortably a couple of times but made no move to pull her hand away.

Caleb looked at Seraphina with a soft gaze, then feigned helplessness as he apologized to me.

"Leo, I'm sorry, Sera and I were just getting familiar with the wedding flow in advance. Please don't mind us."

"And about you threatening me and harassing my mother, I won't say anything, but please, don't hurt Sera. True feelings can't withstand such tests."

I couldn't stand this charade any longer. I turned to leave.

"Since you're so excited, then I'll 'satisfy' you tonight."

Slap!

Seraphina slapped me hard across the face.

"Leo, how could you be so cruel?!"

Her face was pale with anger, her chest heaving.

Me, cruel?

She believed a simple rumor from someone else, but five years of our relationship couldn't earn me an ounce of trust.

A surge of anger suddenly flared within me, and I wanted to confront Seraphina. But Caleb stepped in front of her.

"Leo, please, as soon as the wedding is over, I'll give Sera back to you."

"Please, be merciful, don't hurt those around me, and don't hurt Sera anymore."

He began to bow to me.

Seraphina quickly grabbed his arm, stopping him from lowering his head, and glared at me.

"Leo, don't play your rich boy bullying tactics!"

"You know I hate that most. If you still want to marry me, stop acting out!"

With that, she warned me not to show my face in front of them again until the wedding.

But the next day, Seraphina actually contacted me.

She started with a barrage of scolding. "Leo, you actually harassed Mrs. Reed?! I never thought you'd be this kind of person!"

Full of doubt, I immediately called my assistant to investigate, only to uncover something truly shocking.

Caleb's mother was perfectly fine.

No wonder Caleb could be so unscrupulous, using his mother's supposed illness to frame me.

The critical illness was a complete lie.

I sent Seraphina a text: "Caleb's mother is fine. The truth is in the email I just sent you."

Whether she read it or not was no longer my concern.

My flight was booked for three days later, personally arranged by Blair Sterling.

When Seraphina returned, she found me packing.

Half my clothes were being discarded, a small portion shipped to San Francisco.

"Why are you packing?" Seraphina's expression was hesitant.

I vaguely replied, "Moving."

She paused for a moment, not catching on, and continued, talking to herself.

"The Vance family's headquarters are in San Francisco. We're supposed to settle there after we're married, so it makes sense to start packing early."

Then, her gaze turned stern as she looked directly at me.

"About Caleb's mother, apologize as soon as possible, don't make things difficult for me. How about at the wedding? What do you think?"

She finished speaking and tossed her phone aside to look for her IDtoday was the day she and Caleb were going to the city hall to register their marriage.

She didn't come back until evening. I opened my phone, and Caleb's message popped up.

The picture showed Seraphina and him in matching outfits, sharing a bed.

I closed my eyes, but my heart still throbbed with a sharp pang.

I suppressed the emotion, turning off my phone.

Late that night, the phone by my pillow vibrated every hour. Each vibration meant Caleb had sent another video of him and Seraphina, a naked provocation.

Until the next morning, when Blair Sterling sent me a message.

"Mr. Vance, the flower has bloomed. You can come back now."

The accompanying image showed two marriage certificates and a pot with a vibrant Queen of the Night cactus flower in full bloom.

I hadn't realized that the tiny plant I'd casually given her years ago, she had meticulously cared for until now.

An inexplicable, strange emotion swelled in my chest.

I replied with one word: "Okay."

I put down my phone and began to pack my laptop and work documents. I didn't know when Seraphina had returned.

She was packing her everyday luggage. "I'm moving in with Caleb for a few days, he can't manage preparing for the wedding alone. Remember to be at the wedding on time the day after tomorrow, don't be late."

After saying that, she went on a long explanation, mostly about how she was just helping out normally and that I shouldn't cause any more trouble.

"Mmhmm, I won't be there." I said, my eyes lowered.

After last night, the last shred of affection I had for her was completely gone.

Seraphina looked at my calm demeanor, an unnamed dread washing over her. She suddenly hesitated.

But recalling Caleb's insistent dependence, her grip on her phone loosened.

Leo Vance loves her so much, what could possibly go wrong?

Thinking this, she breathed a sigh of relief, no longer bothering me, and vanished from my sight.

I watched her retreating back and made a call.

That same evening, a helicopter landed in the plaza.

A staff member approached. "Mr. Vance, your helicopter has arrived. You'll be safely transported to South City in half an hour."

I nodded, then handed him a file.

"Deliver this to the wedding venue tomorrow. It's my wedding gift for the happy couple."

The next day, I sent Seraphina a message right on schedule:

"Happy wedding!"

At the wedding venue, Seraphina was anxiously looking towards the entrance, asking her assistant, Alex:

"Why isn't Leo here yet? He said he'd publicly apologize to Mrs. Reed today."

Alex scrolled through the news, his brows tightly furrowed.

"He probably won't make it. He's busy with his own wedding right now."

Upon hearing this, Seraphina stood in the center of the ballroom, completely stunned.

The wedding venue was decorated with Caleb's favorite champagne roses, adorning the entire hall in a dreamy, ethereal glow.

Below the stage, guests clinked glasses and chatted.

Everything seemed perfect.

However, Seraphina clutched her phone tightly, staring intently at the screen at the news headline: [Vance CEO Weds, "True Love Collection" Shines Simultaneously].

Cold sweat broke out on her palms. She frantically dialed the number etched into her memory, but only heard the tone indicating no one was picking up.

"How could this be?"

Caleb rushed over to her, taking her hand.

"Sera, what's wrong? Your hand is so cold?"

Seraphina gripped his hand back. "Leo he's he's marrying someone else!"

Caleb took her phone, glanced at it, frowned, then smiled.

"How could that be? Leo loves you so much, this must be some kind of business strategy. These businessmen, they'll do anything for profit, even fake a marriage."

"Fake marriage?" Seraphina's panicked expression eased slightly.

"Alright, Sera, the wedding is about to begin. Let's go up."

The emcee stood on stage hosting the wedding. Seraphina forced a smile back onto her face, exchanged rings with Caleb, and they kissed each other.

Just as everything seemed perfectly concluded, the banquet hall doors burst open with a loud bang.

A group of formally dressed, solemn-faced individuals marched in in an orderly fashion.

Seraphina instinctively thought it was Leo coming to make a scene. Just as she was about to speak, her expression suddenly froze.

Because it wasn't Leo who entered, but a group of uniformed police officers.

She immediately panicked, asking, "Officers, we are all law-abiding citizens, this is?"

The lead officer ignored her, directly presenting a document.

"Mr. Leo has filed a complaint accusing Caleb of illegal appropriation of another's property. The evidence is conclusive. Please come with us."

Seraphina was utterly distraught.

"Officer, what illegal appropriation? That was prepared for me by Leo! I legally transferred it to Caleb for emergency use!"

The officer frowned. "What you consider a legal transfer is not recognized by the rights holder, Mr. Leo. Relevant evidence has also been submitted."

Seraphina vehemently argued, "That's Leo's tactic! He's doing this to ruin my and Caleb's wedding!"

The officer looked at her sternly. "Madam, please do not obstruct justice. Take him away!"

Caleb was led away, and the wedding instantly erupted into chaos.

Caleb's relatives loudly whispered, saying how all those seemingly respectable things were actually taken from someone else, truly shameful.

Seraphina's parents' faces were as dark as thunderclouds, pointing at her forehead and scolding.

"You, you, what foolish things have you done!"

"You threw away a perfectly good golden boy, insisting on finding dead weight! Now look, everything's gone!"

Seraphina managed to calm down.

"Mom, this is Leo's way of forcing me to come back. I'm going to find him right now, get him to withdraw the charges, and get Caleb out."

She was about to step forward when a well-dressed man, who looked like an assistant, blocked her path.

"Miss Thorne, this is Mr. Vance's wedding gift for you."