At the airport, I ran straight into Zach Martin, the man who had left me at the altar two years ago to accompany his foster sister to Apania to watch elephants.

I had on sunglasses, yet he recognized me instantly in the crowd.

“Tina, I’m back to marry you.”

I paused for a moment. There was a flicker of doubt in my eyes. “You’re…”

He gave me a helpless smile.

“Hey, come on. Don’t be mad. I didn’t mean to disappear like that. After taking Yvette to see the elephants, she wanted to stick around and document everything. She’s my only sister. I had to spoil her a little.

“After two years of working on the project and finishing the shoot, I rushed straight back to fulfill our engagement!”

Only then did it dawn on me that this dark, scrawny man, flashing a mouthful of white teeth, was actually my former fiancé!

Wait. Did nobody tell him that on the very day he ran away, I married his uncle instead?

The airport was swarming with people. Zach Martin had a limited-edition bag in one hand and was pushing a suitcase with the other.

Yvette, who had also become tanned after two years in Apania, was sitting on the suitcase, being pushed along by Zach.

Two years in the sun had left them looking like they had spent the same time mining coal.

Back then, Zach was fair, handsome, and in great shape. Otherwise, I would not have agreed to the arranged marriage.

However, now…

Good thing he was not my husband.

I slid off my sunglasses and forced a polite smile.

“Sorry, it’s been a while. You both look so different. I didn’t recognize you at first.”

Yvette, as sharp-tongued as ever, sneered, “Don’t pretend! You came here just to pick up Zach, didn’t you? If I hadn’t dropped my phone and lost contact with everyone after going abroad, you would've tracked us down in Apania long ago!

“I really don’t get what Zach sees in you. How could he want to marry someone with nothing but a pretty face?”

She turned her head away in a huff.

Zach ruffled her hair and poked her nose helplessly. “Once I marry Tina, she’ll be your sister-in-law. You'd better show some respect. Or else, there won't be an Eronia trip for you next year."

After calming Yvette, he turned to me and explained, “She’s just a kid with a temper. As you know, Damian died protecting me in a car accident, and she lost her father because of it. When we’re married, I want you to help take care of her and treat her like your own little sister.”

Did he even realize the nonsense he was spouting? I elegantly rolled my eyes and held up my wedding ring.

“Mr. Martin, thanks for refusing to marry me back then. It led me to a man a thousand times better than you. And please don’t get any ideas. I’m here to pick up my husband today.”

Zach froze for a second, then squinted at me. He raised an eyebrow as he smiled.

“Tina… do you think I’m stupid? Our wedding two years ago shook the whole city. Everyone knows you're my bride. Running off was my fault, yes, but your reputation took a dip afterward. If you don't marry into the Martin family, who else would want you?”

That was why he ran... He was convinced no one else would want me!

He really overestimated himself and underestimated me.

His grandfather, Alex, had cleaned up his mess. To appease the Meyer family, Alex even personally transferred Zach’s shares to me.

Apparently, Zach still had no clue. It was not surprising at all.

Zach had not contacted the Martin family for two years because of Yvette—not even a single phone call.

I could not help but wonder if he would still be smiling back at the Martin residence tonight.

Back then, Zach had stubbornly refused the arranged marriage, insisting that he would not marry me under any circumstances. However, the moment he saw me, he claimed it was love at first sight and that he would marry no one else.

He shamelessly pursued me for over six months. Considering he was honorable and never flirted with anyone else, I agreed.

Still, it did not take long before a new woman appeared in his life—his pampered foster sister, Yvette.

On our wedding day, Zach’s phone rang.

“Zach! Remember what you promised me? Come to Apania with me to see the elephants. I’m waiting at the airport. If you don’t come, I’ll jump off the building!”

Zach only gave me an apologetic glance, then let go of my hand without hesitation. He left me in front of all the guests and ran off.

He sent me two messages, and then I could not reach him at all.

[Damian saved my life, and Yvette is his only daughter. I can’t let anything happen to her!]

[Don’t worry. I’ll stay with her to see the elephants. I’ll be back within a week to complete our wedding. Then, we can honeymoon.]

Alex was furious. To smooth things over with the Meyer family, he promised me, “Tina, it’s all the Martin family’s fault for raising such an irresponsible son. Whatever compensation you want, just say it.”

I pointed to the Martin family’s heir, who was also Zach’s uncle and the current head of the family—Sean Martin.

“Then, give him to me. I still need a groom.”

I married Zach’s uncle just like that.

As I thought about it, I glanced at the time. Sean’s flight should be landing soon.

I was about to check when two messages came through.

[Honey, the flight got delayed. Just boarded the plane. I'm probably going to be late. Don’t wait for me. Have Luke pick me up.]

[Love you.]

He had sent a big love emoji as well.

I could not help but put on a smile, and my frown melted away.

Even when looking at my annoying ex-fiancé and my current nephew, he seemed a little easier on the eyes.

Zach crossed his arms, looking at my phone with a sly, unreadable smile on his face.

“Well, who’s the actor you hired? You saved him as ‘Hubby,’ and he's saying there's been a flight delay? Tina, don’t play jokes like this. You know it makes me jealous.” He leaned in, reaching to brush my hair.

I stepped back, leaving his hand to hang in the air. “I already told you, I’m married. If you keep bothering me tonight, you might get your legs broken when you get home.”

He looked as though he had heard something amusing. He pointed at my neck and raised an eyebrow.

“You’re wearing the emerald pendant Grandpa said would go to the Martin family’s bride. And now, you're telling me you married someone else?”

The pendant was indeed from Alex. It was just not passed to his granddaughter-in-law but to the daughter-in-law.

“I married….”

Before I could finish, Yvette jumped down from the suitcase and slid between us.

“Is that the emerald pendant?”

Her eyes widened when she saw it. It was exactly the one she wanted. Her eyes immediately reddened.

She looped her arm through Zach’s and said in a soft tone, “Zach… I’ve wanted this emerald pendant for so long. Grandpa never gave it to me, and now, it’s been given to an outsider. Does that mean Grandpa doesn’t consider me part of the Martin family?

“Well, I’m just a driver’s daughter. I can’t compare to Tina, who was born an heiress. Even Grandpa favors her.”

Zach’s face fell with guilt. His expression softened with apology, and he glanced at me, looking uneasy.

“Yvette is young and has had a rough life. She worries too much. Just let her have it. She likes the pendant. Please give it to her. Later, I’ll buy you a better emerald pendant. It’ll be even prettier, and the quality will be better too.”

I laughed, but it was from anger.

“Zach, I suggest you get your brain checked. If I’m not mistaken, Yvette’s 25 this year. She’s a few months older than me, right? One, I despise grown-ups who act like babies. Two, I hate sneaky women who take what’s not theirs. She’s both.”

Triggered, Yvette’s tears started flowing immediately. “No matter how old I am, Zach dotes on me! You’re just jealous! You haven’t even married Zach yet. Why does an outsider get to take something from the Martin family? The shameless one here is you!”

Yvette was a foster daughter of the Martin family. She had not changed her surname. Strictly speaking, she was still an outsider living in Martin's residence.

Zach had once tried to make Yvette a proper heiress, but Alex had made it clear that it was impossible, so he had to give up. Naturally, he felt guilty toward her.

When he saw Yvette look so wronged, he could not help but feel a little protective. He frowned and replied, “Unlike you, Yvette has no parents. She only has me. My grandpa won't let her join the family, so she feels insecure—”

I interrupted him with a suggestion, “You want Yvette to join your family? That's easy. Marry her, and I’ll give her this pendant as a wedding gift. The Martin family’s granddaughter-in-law deserves it.”

I took off the pendant around my neck and handed it to Yvette.

Her eyes went wide, filled with pure joy. She immediately reached for it.

“No!” Zach snatched the pendant with a swift motion, gripping it tightly. “What nonsense are you talking about? Yvette is my foster sister. You’re the one I want to spend my life with! You have no right to be jealous of her.

“She’s family, and you’re the one I love. Stop saying stuff like that, or I will really get mad.”

I felt nothing under his deep gaze but disgust. I spun around and strode away.

Zach’s voice trailed behind me, but I ignored it completely.

Stepping out of the airport, a sleek limousine pulled up. Luke Fuller, the driver, got out and opened the door.

“Mrs. Martin, Mr. Martin said his flight’s delayed. Should I take you home first?”

Sean had been away on a business trip for half a month. Alex had reminded him to have dinner at home tonight.

Suddenly, someone pushed past me and jumped into the car.

Yvette sat down and said with a smirk, “You’re married, right? How come you’re hitching a ride in the Martin family’s car? Shouldn’t you be in your husband’s car?”

She knew this limousine belonged to Zach’s uncle, Sean.

Zach recognized it too and looked slightly surprised. Sean usually did not care about such small things.

He sat beside Yvette and buckled her seatbelt. Then, he turned to me and said, “You can sit in front. Yvette’s used to sitting here. I’ll have the driver drop you at the Meyer residence first.”

“No need, I have my own car. Luke, take them back. I have other plans.”

I pulled my keys out. Then, I pressed the unlock button. Not far away, a supercar’s headlights flashed twice.

Seeing me drive off in my supercar, jealousy flashed across Yvette’s eyes.

Zach let out a sigh. “She came to pick me up. She’s probably mad I'm not riding with her.”

Then, he asked Luke, “Did Uncle Sean send you to pick me up?”

“No, sir. I’m here for Mr. Sean.”

A tense silence followed for two seconds. Zach finally replied, “…What a coincidence. Where’s Uncle Sean, then?”

"His flight was delayed,” answered Luke.

…

I treated myself to a spa. Once I was fully relaxed, I drove back to the residence just before dinner.

As I got out of the car, I saw Zach and Yvette kneeling stiffly at the gate.

Apparently, after Alex saw Zach and Yvette, he threw down his cane and refused to let them in.

“Get out! Why didn’t you just stay dead in Apania? What are you doing back here?”

Zach, betting on Alex's soft heart, fell to his knees. Yvette knelt beside him to keep him company.

They saw me coming home.

Zach immediately rose to his feet and blocked my way. His previously sulky expression was replaced with a flushed, hopeful look. “I knew it. You couldn’t stay away from me. Did you rush over because you heard my grandpa was punishing me?”

I turned my face in disgust, trying to pass him.

He stepped in front of me once more, wearing that all-too-familiar look of someone convinced they were doing me a favor.

“Don’t go in. He's still angry, and I’m afraid he’ll take it out on you.”

Yvette had also crept closer. She pointed at my nose and questioned sharply, “Are you still holding a grudge over Zach running off for me? You must’ve stirred things up. Grandpa always doted on Zach. Why wouldn’t he let him in? You came here just to see us humiliated!”

She lunged at me. I sidestepped, and she tumbled flat on the ground, scraping her knees. Tears immediately poured down her face.

Zach pressed his lips together. His smile was gone. He crouched down to check Yvette’s injuries.

After making sure she was fine, he expertly scooped her up in a princess carry, soothing her until her crying gave way to a smile.

Then, he remembered me and heaved a sigh.

“Tina, you feel so unfamiliar to me now. Yvette always speaks without thinking much. If you want to marry me, you’ll have to learn to tolerate her. Just apologize to her this time. I hope you’ll change a bit next time.”

What?

My vision went dark with irritation. I let out a cold sneer, “Should I give her some extra compensation for that delicate little heart of hers?”

A greedy gleam appeared in Yvette’s eyes. “I need a car to commute. The one you drove today barely makes the cut.”

There were only three supercars of that model in the world, each worth 5 million dollars. Yvette really had some nerve.

Zach immediately tried to intervene, saying, “Since she likes it, just give her the car. Think of it as making up for the harm you caused her.”

I just stared at him quietly. “Your judgment is completely off.”

“What?” Zach did not catch my meaning.

“I said, no way!” I shoved him aside and marched inside.

“Stop!” Zach’s expression went dark. He was livid, and he threatened in a low voice, “Tina, I’m serious. If you don’t apologize to Yvette, you won’t get to marry me. You won’t be able to set foot in the Martin residence!”

Right then, a cane flew through the air and smashed into Zach’s head.

From several yards away, Alex’s booming voice rang clear. “You damn fool! That’s your aunt!”