News of my marriage to Joseph did not spread across the city right away.

To protect their reputation and keep their creditors calm, the Sterling family spent a large amount of money bribing the wedding guests and journalists, forcing the whole thing under the surface.

Right after the ceremony, I took Joseph straight to the registry office. We signed the papers and officially became husband and wife.

After we got our marriage certificate, Joseph told me that he had some personal matters to take care of and needed to leave the capital for a few days.

I had a feeling his identity was more complicated than it seemed, so I did not ask questions. I just told him to come back soon.

Meanwhile, completely unaware of everything, Wyatt spent two carefree days on a yacht with Becky Jones before finally realizing something was off.

Normally, by this time, if I had found out he skipped the wedding, I would have caused a huge ruckus and forced him to return and explain himself.

However, this time, the capital was completely quiet. The Larson family was silent in a way that felt almost unsettling.

Wyatt absentmindedly swirled his drink, barely reacting even when Becky called his name in a soft, sugary voice.

'Something's not right. She must be playing hard to get,' he thought.

A confident smile curled on his lips. 'I have spoiled her too much. If I ignore her for a few days, she'll come running back on her own.'

Two days later, I attended a business banquet at the capital's chamber of commerce on behalf of my father. I did not expect to run into those two people.

Wyatt noticed me immediately. However, when he saw me laughing and chatting with several young elites, his expression darkened instantly.

Becky saw me too. She subtly pushed her stomach forward, then said sweetly to Wyatt,

"Wyatt, I'm tired. My feet hurt and my stomach doesn't feel great."

Wyatt’s expression immediately changed to a doting one, supporting her carefully, though his eyes darted toward me like it meant nothing.

"Be careful. Don't upset the baby."

He was probably waiting for me to walk over and confront him.

It was too bad for him.

From start to finish, I did not even look in his direction. I kept talking and laughing with the people beside me.

He finally lost patience. He strode over and slammed his hand down on our table.

"Anna, are you mad because I had someone take my place at the wedding? You haven't even sent a message these past few days."

I could not even be bothered to look at him. I stood up, ready to leave.

"Anna, there was an emergency on the wedding day. Wyatt suddenly wasn't feeling well, so he couldn't make it." Becky stepped in front of me, blocking my path, a pitiful expression on her face.

"Anna, please don't blame Wyatt. It's my fault for being so weak. I delayed your—"

Wyatt cut in, looking at me with a half amused, half annoyed expression.

"Anna, since when did you become this petty? It was just a ceremony."

As he spoke, he reached out like it was the most natural thing in the world and grabbed my arm.

"Alright, stop making a scene. Come back with me."

My gaze turned icy. I shook his hand off immediately. "Mr. Sterling, show some respect.

"Didn't your parents tell you what happened on the wedding day?"

Wyatt froze, frowning slightly. "Tell me what? I haven't gone home these past two days."

Becky suddenly grabbed my wrist, looking flustered as she tried to mediate.

"Anna, don't be like this. Wyatt only did it for your own good…"

Her words sounded gentle, but her nails dug hard into my skin. The sharp pain almost made me flinch.

I yanked my hand back. "Get off me!"

"Ah!" Becky fell to the ground in a miserable heap.

Wyatt's eyes went wide with fury. He rushed to help her up, then roared at me, "You're insane! Apologize to Becky right now!"

I let out an icy laugh and turned to the chamber guards who had rushed over.

"Security, remove these two troublemakers."

Wyatt's face turned dark with rage. "Don't believe for one second that think this will get my attention!

"If you behave, I might even consider giving you another ceremony in a few days."

He really believed that as long as he came back, I would be just like before, grateful and eager to run into his arms.

I smiled.

"However, I'm already married."

The smile on Wyatt's face froze instantly. He stood there, stunned, his brows twisted tight together.

"What nonsense are you spouting?" He stepped forward, his tone arrogant. "You're saying you're married? Then where's your husband? Why didn't he come with you?"

A mocking smile curved on my lips.

"My husband has important matters to attend to, unlike certain useless people who loaf around all day and depend on a woman's dowry to survive."

Before he could explode, Becky's eyes turned red, tears falling right on cue.

"Anna, how can you say that about Wyatt?"

She paused on purpose and, just like that, Wyatt's gaze toward me was filled with disappointment and anger.

"Anna, look at yourself. So sharp-tongued and bitter. Besides me, who else in the capital would even want you?

"I'm telling you now. Stop playing these games. It only makes me look down on you even more."

That was it. I was done being patient.

"Are you all deaf?" I said calmly. "Throw these two out. If they ruin everyone's evening, you'll answer for it."

The guards moved quickly, grabbing them from both sides.

Wyatt struggled wildly, his face twisted with rage as he shouted at me, "Anna! How dare you treat me like this! You'll regret it!"

That very night, I received an anonymous letter.

[So you think this is enough to steal Wyatt away from me? Surprise, surprise. He does not care at all. He's happily taking me to Elysian Springs outside the city to watch the moon.]

I did not even need to guess who sent it. I tossed the letter straight into the fire.

During that time, the Sterling couple still refused to give up and tried to visit me several times.

I had them turned away every single time.

A week later, I calculated the day Joseph would return to the capital and personally went to the city gate to meet him.

However, at the gate, I ran straight into Wyatt and Becky.

It looked like they had just come back from a trip outside the city. Wyatt sat tall on a fine horse, while Becky rested comfortably in a carriage beside him, both looking relaxed and pleased.

The moment Wyatt saw me, he broke into a smug smile.

"I knew you couldn't let me go. You even came all the way out here to pick me up.

"Anna, why go through all this trouble?"

I did not even bother responding. I looked at him like he was an idiot.

Becky spoke up in a mocking tone, "Oh, Anna, don't be mad anymore.

"Wyatt didn't mean to leave you out of the trip. As his fiancée, you should be more understanding."

Wyatt clearly enjoyed that. He climbed down from his horse and reached for my hand, but I stepped aside and avoided him.

He did not get angry. If anything, he looked even more pleased, as if he thought I was just throwing a little tantrum.

"Alright, enough. When we get back, we'll pick a date and I'll give you an even grander wedding. That should make up for it, right?"

Right then, a tall figure came riding in on a black horse, followed by a group of personal guards, cutting through the crowd like a storm.

My eyes lit up.

I went around them without hesitation and ran straight toward the man who had just dismounted.

"Honey, you're back."

Joseph took my hand steadily. Dust from the road clung to him, but it could not hide the sharp strength in his presence. He lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on my hair.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Behind me, the smug smile on Wyatt's face shattered, replaced by disbelief.

For a brief moment, everything fell silent.

Then, Wyatt's furious roar erupted. "Anna! Are you done playing around?"

He pointed at Joseph, his voice full of anger. "You even hired an actor just to make me jealous? Not bad. How much did you pay him this time?

"Name your price. I'll give you ten times what she did. Just get out of my sight!"

Joseph stepped in front of me, shielding me. His gaze darkened, and a chilling aura rolled off him, like someone who had walked through real battlefields.

I reached out and caught his arm, then leaned out from behind him, looking at Wyatt's twisted expression with calm amusement.

"Wyatt, didn't you want to see my husband?"

I slipped my arm through Joseph's and smiled brightly. "This is my husband. Joseph."

Wyatt's face went completely pale.

"How… how is it you?!"