My father always made me give up my favorite toys to Sean, and I obediently complied.

He made me give the brightest room in the house to Sean, and I packed up quietly and moved out.

Even when he insisted I marry Regina, I never resisted and agreed without hesitation.

But now, I want to rebel once.

“Dad, I’m going to marry Melissa.”

I heard my own voice, calm and steady.

“I will listen to everything you say, but this time, I want to choose the person I will spend my life with.”

Slap!

A heavy slap echoed through the entire wedding hall.

Everyone fell silent.

“You unfilial son! If you dare marry Melissa today, I'll disown you!”

I calmly looked up at him and suddenly smiled. “Fine. Then let’s sever father and son ties.”

No one expected this.

The Crawford family’s usually obedient son would say such reckless words.

My father’s face turned pale with anger, his chest heaving violently. “Denver, you want to disown your father over some spoiled rich girl in front of all these people?”

“Looks like I’ve spoiled you too much, which is why you act so unruly!”

Since my mother passed away, my father remarried, and together they had my youngest brother, Sean.

Being hit was as normal as breathing.

He angrily raised his hand, preparing to slap me again—but before his hand could reach my face, a sharp, slender hand grabbed his wrist.

Melissa stood coldly, silently shielding me behind her.

“Try hitting him again, I dare you,” she hissed through clenched teeth.

Her words brought tears to my eyes.

No one had ever stood up for me like this before.

Everyone else thought I was crazy about wanting to marry Melissa, the wild, spoiled rich girl.

But only I knew the truth.

In my last life, the day I fell seriously ill was also Sean’s death anniversary.

My wife and father only cared about going to the cemetery to be with those they loved most.

No one cared whether I lived or died.

The doctors even issued a critical condition notice.

I called them a dozen times, only to be met with impatient refusals.

Only Melissa went mad with worry—rallying medical resources from a neighboring city and pulling me back from the brink of death.

Later, Regina made enemies in business who set fire to the Porter family mansion.

I woke from smoke choking me and found one leg trapped beneath a burning cabinet, holding my two crying children and begging Regina for help.

But she ignored me, running to the study to save Sean’s portrait.

It was Melissa again who came recklessly charging through the flames, one by one carrying me and the children out to safety.

Just as the house’s beams collapsed, I shouted at her,

“Melissa, come out now!”

But it was too late.

The fire swallowed her, and the last look she gave me was a reassuring smile.

After that, I too had my first love—the one who sacrificed her life for me.

Only after she died did I realize how deeply she had loved me in secret.

So this time, I would protect her and choose her unwaveringly.

My father’s eyes flashed with fury. “Denver, I’m asking you one last time—are you sure you want to choose this woman?”

“Yes.” I nodded firmly.

My father sneered. “Fine, fine, you’ve got guts.”

“Hope you won’t regret this later!” My father threw those words at me before storming off.

Many guests who had been trying to curry favor with him quickly followed suit and left.

Aunt Sheila sneered sarcastically, her tone dripping with mockery. “Denver, this marriage of yours is doomed from the start. If you come to your senses and still plan to marry my daughter, then maybe I’ll accept you as my son-in-law.”

I didn’t respond to any of them. I simply held Melissa’s hand and steadily walked up the stage.

Without hesitation, I told the master of ceremonies, “The wedding can begin.”

Most of the guests friendly with the Crawford and Porter families had left the venue.

Only a handful of close friends remained. Still, I smiled with quiet satisfaction as Melissa and I completed the last ceremony.

“From now on, I am your husband.”

“Melissa, through sickness and health, riches and poverty, we are one.”

Melissa smiled and hugged me tightly. She looked at me deeply and, with utmost sincerity, said one word. “Good.”

After the wedding, Melissa asked me to move into a river-view villa registered in her name.

To register our marriage officially, I still had to go back to the Crawford family to get my ID card.

As soon as I arrived at the Crawford residence, a red sports car suddenly sped straight toward me.

Before I could dodge, Regina grabbed my arm and pushed me harshly to the ground.

“Are you blind?”

Regina glared coldly, a mocking smirk curling at her lips. “I thought you cut ties with the Crawford family? What are you doing here?”

I replied calmly, “I’m here to get my ID card for the marriage registration.”

Her expression immediately froze, disbelief written all over her face.

“You’re serious?” she whispered. “The rumors outside are true? You’re really going to marry that spoiled rich girl?”

Before I could answer, Sean, dressed in a flashy red suit, jogged down from the sports car.

“Oh, sorry, bro! I didn’t see you there just now—almost hit you...”

“Dad just bought me this new car, I got too excited and lost control. You don’t mind, right?”

Sean’s tone was full of bragging.

I glanced at the red Porsche and smiled faintly. “No, I don’t mind.”

After all, living in the Crawford household all these years felt like I was just a guest.

I was long used to my father and stepmother’s undivided attention on Sean.

When I wanted a practical car for my internship, my father refused.

But the moment Sean asked for a sports car, one after another was handed over without hesitation.

At that moment, I understood the truth—once there’s a stepmother, even your biological father becomes a stepfather.

"I just came back to grab something," I said, turning to leave.

But before I could take more than a few steps, a bucket of icy water crashed down over my head.

Regina burst into laughter.

Sean covered his mouth, chuckling with feigned innocence.

“Brother,” he said mockingly, “they’re all saying you want to marry Melissa—that promiscuous woman. Didn’t you know she has AIDS? She’s probably infected. Don’t bring her into our house. I might have to disinfect you first.”

Reading the full provocation in his eyes, I stared coldly at Sean.

Yet it seemed he wasn’t satisfied. Step by step, he advanced toward me.

“Honestly, brother, I don’t get what you’re thinking.”

“Regina chose me firmly—even if she fled the wedding, you shouldn’t just pick any woman to save face. Melissa’s lifestyle is so wild, you don’t even know half of it.”

“Marrying and sharing a bed with her, knowing she’s been involved with so many men before—doesn’t that disgust you?”

I couldn’t help but sneer coldly.

“Why don’t you worry about your own woman instead?”

Melissa deliberately ruined her own reputation to keep away unwanted suitors.

She only had a bad name, but never once touched another man.

But Regina was different.

In my previous life, we seemed to have been married for sixty years, but after having our twins, we lived separately.

She never let go of Sean, her first love.

Every few days, she brought home young guys who looked just like him, spending the night with them.

She even flaunted it to me on purpose.

To me, no one was dirtier than Regina.

A mischievous idea struck me. I lowered my voice and leaned close to Sean.

“Sean, all the women around you? They’re just the ones I got tired of playing with.”

“If you don’t believe me, check the red birthmark on the right side of her thigh—I’ve seen it countless times.”

“A woman I’ve already played out, and you treat her like a treasure? Isn’t that disgusting?”

After saying that, I turned and walked away coldly.

Sean’s face suddenly turned pale as he started arguing with Regina.

“Regina, are you lying to me? How does my brother know about the birthmark on your thigh?”

“Have you already been with him behind my back?”

Regina’s face darkened. She was flustered, trying to explain.

“No, that was in a past life... You probably won’t believe me if I say that.”

“Sean, trust me, I definitely never touched him...”

Their shouting grew louder and almost turned into a fight. I couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Who told you to badmouth Melissa?

Serves you right!

Luckily, my dad wasn’t home. After getting my ID, I slipped out quickly.

Before leaving, I didn’t forget to grab a bucket of cold water and splash it on Sean.

Seeing him drenched like a drowned rat, I smiled. “Good brother, now I forgive you.”

“Stop right there!”

Regina chased after me with a face as dark as thunder.

For the first time, she left Sean behind and ran after me instead.

“Denver, are you sure you’ve thought this through?”

“Don’t think your little game of hot and cold will make me change my mind about you.”

"I’ve decided—in this life, the only person I want to marry is Sean. No one can replace him.”

I smiled faintly and turned to give her my blessing.

“Then I wish you a happy marriage and a long life together.”

“Go back to your husband. Stop following me.”

Regina’s expression darkened, but she kept staring. “Denver, I’ve told you, stop playing these games. Sean is pure and kind—he doesn’t have your scheming mind. I'm warning you, don’t hurt him.”

“In our last life, we were married for decades, but you know I never loved you. So I advise you—”

“Got it.” I cut her off impatiently, waving my hand. “If you’re worried, I’ll leave New Jersey with Melissa. You’ll never see me again.”

A heavy silence fell behind me. I couldn’t be bothered to argue further.

My mind was full of images of going to register the marriage with Melissa. The thought made my steps lighter.

Just as I left the Crawford residence, I heard two quick honks behind me.

The car window rolled down, and sure enough, it was Melissa, who came here to pick me up.

“Husband, get in,” she called with a bright smile.

I slid into the passenger seat, smiling back. “Why did you come? I thought things at your company weren’t settled yet.”

Melissa reached over and fastened my seatbelt for me, her tone was light as she spoke. “I took two months off. Our honeymoon comes first—work can wait.”