Once the Fake Son Died, the True Heir’s Lies Fell Apart

On the day of the wedding, my fiancée stood beside the car door, refusing to get in. “I’m not marrying you today.”

I stood there in shock, unable to move, while her friends burst into laughter. “Game over, sisters. I won.”

“Claire, you’re unbelievable! You actually managed to win this handsome man.”

“Now hand over all your bets and the gift money. Not a single coin less.”

Then, my brother, Matthew Rodriguez, wearing the same suit as mine, stepped out of another wedding car, took my fiancée’s hand and helped her inside.

The car drove off quickly and I tried to chase after it, but my family blocked my way.

My sister, a well-known celebrity, stood before me and said, “Claire truly loves Matthew and she’s marrying him. Today is their wedding day, so don’t cause trouble.”

My mother, the movie queen, took my hand and added, "Joseph, your brother struggles with depression and has even tried to take his own life. Only Claire can keep him calm, so just let it go."

My wealthy father chuckled. "He’s already lived Matthew’s life for eighteen years. Giving up one woman is already a good deal for him."

Then they had me locked up at home to stop me from causing any trouble at the hotel.

I didn’t cry or throw a fit; instead, I barely held back a smile.

——

As soon as the bodyguards escorted me into the villa, a system alert echoed in my mind. "Host, are you sure you want to die and leave this world?"

"Yes."

"Please select your method of death."

"I’ll jump off the building and die right in front of Claire Hernandez and the Rodriguez Family, making them sick to their stomachs."

"Generating method of death... Method of death confirmed. Upon death, the host will be rewarded with one hundred million dollars. This decision cannot be changed once confirmed."

"Confirmed."

That year marked my twenty-first year in this world and the third since Matthew had been found.

I am a time traveler. In this life, I was the fake son of the wealthiest family, while my brother, Matthew, was the true heir who had been mistakenly taken away.

At first, after losing my parents in my past life, I had felt unbelievably lucky to end up here.

Because in this world, I had a father and mother again and a sister who cared for me deeply, showering me with love and attention.

But everything changed on my eighteenth birthday, when my dad brought Matthew home.

The doors and windows of the villa had been locked and a few people were assigned to keep an eye on me. "Joseph, it’s best if you stay home, or things will get ugly."

Samantha Baldwin stood in front of me, holding a baseball bat, her face serious, like an old servant ready to stab me with a needle.

I had barely taken two steps toward the door when the bat struck my leg hard.

Pain shot through me as I dropped to my knees.

"Joseph, your eldest brother clearly ordered me to break your legs if you disobey."

She suddenly cried out, "Joseph refuses to obey and is determined to ruin the wedding. Stop him now!"

Several bodyguards quickly moved toward me, gripping batons in their hands. I stepped back in fear.

"What are you trying to do? I didn’t even try to run! How dare you use force on me?"

"Joseph, do you really think we don’t know what’s going on in your head? You might not have run now, but who knows about later."

"I’d rather break your legs than keep watch over you. As long as I’m here, you won’t ruin Matthew’s wedding!"

"Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Mom and Dad?"

"What difference will it make if you tell Sir and his wife? I’ll just say you broke your leg jumping from the second floor, trying to sneak out. They won’t punish me for that!"