The One Who Missed Her Chance

News of my marriage to Aria didn't spread right away. The Liraine family, desperate to stabilize their stock prices, paid the media to suppress the story.

Right after the wedding, Aria and I hurried to register our marriage. Once the paperwork was done, she told me she had business overseas and needed to leave for a few days.

…

Meanwhile, completely unaware of any of this, Selene spent two carefree days in a villa with Chase before realizing something wasn't right. Normally, by this point, I would've made a scene—forcing her to come crawling back. Yet this time, there wasn't even a ripple.

Selene scrolled absently through her phone, so distracted that she didn't even react when Chase called her name.

'No… he must be playing hard to get.' The thought made her lips curve into a sly smile. 'He's gotten far too used to me.'

I hadn't expected to run into those two miserable souls at my father's business banquet.

Selene spotted me first. The moment she saw me speaking with another woman, her face darkened like a thundercloud. Chase noticed me too and leaned weakly against her shoulder, feigning illness. "Selene, I don't feel so good. My head's spinning."

Selene held him gently, though her eyes flicked toward me, pretending it was unintentional. She was probably waiting for me to approach her.

Unfortunately for her, I didn't spare her a single glance.

Finally, she couldn't hold back any longer. She strode straight to our table, slammed her glass down with a sharp clink, and said coldly, "Jace, are you still angry because I had someone stand in for me at the wedding?"

I didn't bother to look at her and stood up, ready to leave.

"The only reason I missed the ceremony was because Chase was sick," she continued quickly. "It was an emergency."

Chase staggered forward as if he might collapse, blocking my path. "Mr. Schreiber, please don't blame Selene. It was all my fault—my health failed me and ruined your wedding…"

Selene actually laughed, infuriated by my silence. "Jace, I never realized how petty you could be. It was just a wedding!" She reached out, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, to grab my arm.

My gaze turned cold as I shook her hand off. "Ms. Liraine, have some self-respect. Didn't your parents tell you about the wedding?"

She froze. "Tell me what?"

Chase's expression flickered with panic as he grabbed my wrist, trying to smooth things over. "Mr. Schreiber, please don't be like this. Selene only did it because she cares about you—"

His words sounded conciliatory, but his nails dug sharply into my skin. The sting made me hiss in pain. I yanked my arm free with a snap. "Get lost!"

"Ahh!" Chase crashed to the floor in a pathetic heap, and Selene's eyes went wide with fury. She rushed to help him up, shouting, "You lunatic! Apologize to Chase right now!"

I sneered and turned toward the nearby security guards who had rushed over at the commotion. "Throw them out."

"You think you can get my attention like this?!" Selene snapped, livid. "If you behave, I'll go get the marriage certificate with you in a few days."

Seeing that she truly believed that I would fall at her feet again the moment she turned back, I smiled faintly. "But I'm already married."

The Wife She Never Saw Coming

Selene's smile froze, and she stared at me in disbelief, her brows knitting together tightly. "What nonsense are you talking about?"

She took a step forward, her tone dripping with arrogance. "You claim to be married, but where is your wife? Why isn't she here with you?"

A mocking smile tugged at my lips. "My wife's on a business trip. She's not like certain useless people who can't survive without leeching off a man."

Before she could explode, Chase's eyes reddened with anger. "Mr. Schreiber, how could you say that about Selene?"

He paused deliberately, just long enough for Selene's expression to twist with anger and disappointment. "Jace, look at yourself. So bitter, so spiteful—who would ever want you besides me? Stop playing these petty mind games. It only makes me look down on you more!"

I'd run out of patience. "Security! Did you not hear me? Throw these two out—now!"

The guards moved swiftly, grabbing them by the arms. Selene struggled wildly, her face contorted with fury as she screamed, "Jace Schreiber! How dare you do this to me?! You'll regret it!"

…

That night, a text came from an unknown number. 'You think you can steal Selene away from me? Guess what—she doesn't even care. She's happily on vacation abroad with me right now.'

I didn't need to wonder who sent it.

I blocked the number immediately.

Over the next few days, Daniel and Rebecca showed up at my door more than once, desperate to talk, but I refused to let them in.

…

A week later, I checked the flight schedule and drove to the airport to pick up Aria. Just as I stepped into the international arrivals hall, I ran straight into Selene and Chase, who both had gotten a little tanned, wearing sunglasses and looking every bit like a couple returning from a carefree vacation.

When Selene spotted me, her lips curved in smug triumph. "I knew you couldn't stay away. You even came to pick me up!"

I didn't bother responding, just looked at her as if she were an idiot.

"Come on, Mr. Schreiber, don't be mad," Chase said, his tone dripping with mock sympathy. "Selene didn't mean to leave you behind. As her fiance, you should be more understanding."

Selene looked pleased by his words. She reached out to take my arm, but I stepped aside, dodging her touch. Instead of getting angry, she seemed even more self-satisfied, assuming I was just sulking. "Alright, stop pouting. Once we get the marriage certificate, I'll make it up to you with a proper luxury honeymoon. How's that sound?"

I didn't answer her.

Instead, I walked right past both of them and wrapped Aria in my arms as she emerged from the gate. "Welcome home, sweetheart."

Aria smiled and hugged me back, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek.

Behind us, Selene's triumphant smile shattered in an instant.

For a moment, the world went silent—until she shrilled with rage. "Jace Schreiber, have you lost your mind?!"

She stormed toward us, jabbing a finger at Aria. "You hire an actress just to spite me?! Nice performance. How much did she charge you? Tell me the number—I'll pay ten times more to make her leave right now!"

Aria stepped forward, shielding me. The warmth in her eyes vanished, replaced by an icy calm that sent a chill through the air. But I caught her hand and stood beside her, watching Selene's twisted expression with amused detachment.

"Didn't you want to meet my wife, Selene?" I said evenly, slipping an arm around Aria's waist. "Well, here she is. Allow me to introduce her properly—this is my wife, Aria Grant."

Selene's face turned ghostly pale. "It's… you?!"