Married to the Protagonist's Comatose Brother

Sophia Sullivan's phone slipped from her fingers, clattering onto the polished marble floor of the Carter family's sprawling waterfront mansion in Emerald Bay, Washington. The voice of her father, Victor Sullivan, still echoed in her ears like a slap. "Sophia, you ungrateful b***h! How could you push your own sister down the stairs? I'm warning you—the only way you atone for this is by taking Noah's place and marrying into the Carter family. Become the wife of that comatose man. Otherwise, get the hell out of the Sullivan family. I'll pretend I never had a daughter like you!" The line went dead. Sophia stood frozen in the grand reception hall, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the misty Puget Sound. Rain pattered softly against the glass, carrying the briny scent of the bay inside. Transmigrated? Into the hot-headed villainess of some trashy male oriented novel? She let out a shaky, bitter laugh that echoed off the high ceilings. The flood of foreign memories crashed over her like the stormy waves outside. This wasn't a dream. This was her new reality. In the original story, this was a sleek, cutthroat world of old-money empires, tech fortunes, and underground power plays with just a hint of heightened martial skill among the elite. The true protagonist, Lucas Carter, had been missing for years—presumed dead—only to return as a force of nature, dismantling rivals and reclaiming his family's dominance. The Sullivans? Just the first arrogant family he'd crush on his comeback tour. "Well… their destruction isn't my problem," Sophia muttered, clenching her fists. "As long as I survive, that's enough." The previous owner's memories painted a painful picture. The Sullivans ran a pharmaceutical giant worth billions, headquartered in Emerald Bay. Sophia had once been the legitimate eldest daughter, poised for a life of privilege. Then her mother died in a suspicious car accident three years ago. Victor quickly moved his long-time mistress, Diana White, and her daughter Noah into the mansion. From that day forward, Sophia became the outsider. Every argument with Noah ended with Sophia forced to apologize. Victor's eyes held only cold impatience for his own flesh and blood, while they glowed with pride for his illegitimate daughter. The final straw came when he announced Noah would inherit the entire Sullivan empire. The constant betrayal shattered the original Sophia. Her temper grew explosive. People started calling her "the Mad Sullivan" or "Psycho Heiress." Exactly the image Noah cultivated. To dodge marrying the comatose Carter heir, Noah had deliberately provoked her, staged a dramatic fall down the stairs, and played the victim. Victor, furious, had immediately shipped Sophia off to the Carters in her place. Sophia's jaw tightened. Classic cannon fodder setup. She was still processing when slow, measured footsteps descended the wide staircase. An elderly man with silver hair, impeccably dressed in a tailored charcoal three-piece suit and leaning on a sleek ebony cane, entered the hall. Samuel Carter—patriarch of the Carter family, grandfather to both Lucas and the comatose Ethan Carter. Samuel's sharp gaze settled on her, his expression grim. The original marriage agreement had been between Ethan and Noah. The last-minute swap screamed disrespect, especially given Ethan's condition and Sophia's notorious reputation. Samuel clearly wanted nothing to do with her. "I just spoke with your father," Samuel said, voice cold and authoritative. "He claims you're marrying into our family willingly. Is that true?" He studied her intently. "You understand Ethan may never wake up. He could remain bedridden for the rest of his life, needing full-time care. If you can't accept that… leave now. We don't force anyone." Sophia met his eyes steadily. The old Sophia would have exploded. But she wasn't that girl anymore. Before she could respond, Mrs. Reeves, the housekeeper, quietly entered with a silver tray. "Sir, shall I bring tea while you speak?" Samuel waved her off with a slight nod but kept his focus on Sophia. "Answer me, girl. This isn't a game." "I can," Sophia answered quietly, her voice firm. "I want to marry Ethan. If he never wakes… I'll take care of him for the rest of my life." Samuel froze, surprise flashing across his weathered face. Sophia held his gaze without flinching. Inside, her heart raced—not from fear, but from the mechanical voice that had rung in her head minutes earlier: [Ding! Congratulations! You have successfully bound the "Crazy Cuddle" System!] [By initiating and maintaining affectionate physical contact with individuals who possess high Destiny Value, you will earn Affection Points.] [Affection Points can be exchanged for powerful abilities, rare items, skills, and more.] Ethan Carter wasn't just any patient—he was the protagonist's younger brother, loaded with Destiny Value. And right now, he was unconscious. Perfect for safely farming points. Plus, becoming Lucas Carter's sister-in-law? That had to buy her some plot armor. She could stay protected in the shadows while the hero did his thing. A soft, genuine smile touched her lips at the thought of that peaceful future. Samuel leaned forward, gripping his cane. "This is unexpected. The reports I received painted you as volatile and angry. Yet here you stand, calm and composed. Why the sudden change of heart?" Sophia paused, choosing her words carefully. "The Sullivan house has been hell, Grandpa Carter. Every day felt like drowning. Coming here… it feels like the first real breath I've taken in years. I won't pretend I'm some saint, but I'm done being their pawn." Samuel's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. He was silent for a long moment, the only sound the distant roll of thunder over the bay. Finally, he sighed. "I need a reason. You and Ethan barely know each other. How can you stand here so confidently and promise to devote your life to him? It sounds… unbelievable." She took a slow breath, drawing on the raw emotions still lingering from the original Sophia. "Because of jealousy, Grandpa Carter." "Jealousy?" Samuel blinked, caught off guard. "Yes. You know what my life has been like in the Sullivan family. I've always been jealous of Noah. She's just the illegitimate daughter, yet she stole everything that should have been mine. Then I heard that Emerald Bay's most eligible man—Ethan Carter—had become her fiancé…" Sophia's voice grew thick with genuine feeling. "I couldn't stand it. Someone as extraordinary as Ethan should have been mine. Not hers." The original Sophia's buried obsession with Ethan blended seamlessly with her own resolve. "I buried those feelings for so long. They became an obsession. I don't even know if it's love anymore… but it doesn't matter. I also need to escape the Sullivans. They're suffocating me. Marrying into the Carter family gives me a fresh start—and lets me care for Ethan. That's enough for me." Samuel's expression shifted as he listened. He had run his own thorough investigation into the Sullivan mess. Her words rang true. Under normal circumstances, he would never approve someone with her reputation. But Ethan's condition left few options. Surprisingly, Sophia was beginning to look like the best of a bad lot. After a long silence, Samuel sighed deeply. "Very well. If you're truly willing to marry in and bring my grandson some hope… I won't stand in your way. My only request is that you treat him well. Do that, and you will always be my granddaughter-in-law. While I'm alive, no one will dare bully you in this family." He stood and placed a firm, paternal hand on her shoulder—a rare gesture of trust from the old lion of the Carter empire. "I will take good care of him," Sophia promised simply. No theatrics. Actions would prove her words. Seizing the moment, she added softly, "Grandpa Carter… may I see Ethan now?" "Of course." Samuel nodded to the elegant middle-aged housekeeper waiting nearby. "Mrs. Reeves, please take Sophia to Ethan's room." After exchanging a few more polite words with the old patriarch, Sophia followed the elegant middle-aged woman upstairs… Toward Ethan Carter's bedroom.