Marriage To My Revenge

The Man Who Knew

I couldn't take my eyes off the photograph. It was old, the edges slightly worn, but there was no mistake. That was me. Three years ago. Before the accident. Before I disappeared.

Before everyone believed I was dead. I slowly looked up at Ethan, trying to understand how he could have a photograph that should have been buried with the woman everyone thought I was.

“How did you get this?” He didn't answer immediately. He walked toward the window and looked down at the city.

“You're asking the wrong question again.”

I clenched my fists. “Then give me the right one.” He turned around. “Who told you Adrian ordered the accident?”

My heart skipped. “I heard Adrian and Selene talking.” “Did you?” His question made me uncomfortable. “Yes.” “Then tell me exactly what you heard.” I hesitated; he noticed. “You don't remember everything.” “I remember enough.” “No.” He returned to the desk. “You remember what they wanted you to remember.” I frowned. “What does that mean?”

He opened another drawer and pulled out a small black envelope. He dropped it on the desk. “Something I found three years ago.” I reached for it. “Don't.” I stopped.

“Why?” “Because once you see what's inside, you won't be able to pretend this is only about revenge.” “What are you hiding from me?” “I'm not hiding anything.”

“Then show me.” For a moment, neither of us moved. Then Ethan pushed the envelope toward me. “Go ahead and open it.” I opened it. There was one photograph inside, my breath caught it was Adrian then, I looked at the sides I didn't recognize. They looked serious, almost like they were discussing something important. I turned the photograph over and a name was written on the back “Marcus Vance”, I looked at Ethan. “Who is he?” Something changed in his face and the room went silent “My brother. ” I stared at the photograph again“Your brother?” He died two years ago.” How?”

his jaw tightened an accident. The way he said the word made my stomach twist.

“What does he have to do with Adrian?”

“That,” Ethan said quietly, “is what we're going to find out.” I looked at the photograph again. Adrian had lied to me about everything, my inheritance, the accident, my death and now there was a connection between him and Ethan's dead brother, this wasn't the revenge plan I had walked into Vance International with, it was bigger, much bigger than I expected. “I still want the deal.” Ethan's eyes met mine,“So do I.” When do we start? “Tonight.” I almost laughed. “Tonight? “You wanted revenge. “Yes. “Then don't waste time.” He picked up his phone. “Prepare the announcement.” I frowned. “What announcement?” He looked at me as if the answer was obvious. “Our engagement.”. My mouth fell open. “Already?” “You want Adrian to believe you're mine. “And if he doesn't?” Ethan's expression hardened. “He will.”.

Two hours later, I was sitting in the back of Ethan's car, staring through the window as the city passed by. My hands were cold, but I refused to admit I was nervous. I was going back to the world that had buried me. The world where Adrian had probably already replaced me. I looked down at the ring Ethan had given me. It wasn't flashy. It was simple, a black stone surrounded by silver. But when I slipped it onto my finger, something inside me changed. I wasn't the girl who had left three years ago anymore.

I was Lyra Vance and tonight, the world would see me again, then the car stopped as I looked outside my stomach dropped “The hotel”, the same hotel where Adrian had proposed to me four years ago and tonight, his company was holding a charity gala. Ethan opened my door “Ready?”.

I took a breath. “Yes.” He offered his hand, I looked at it before placing mine in his. At that moment we stepped inside, cameras flashed, people turned, whispers spread through the room, “Is that Ethan Vance?”

“Who is the woman with him?” The whispers continued but I couldn't care less, as I looked across the room, and there he was Adrian standing beside Selene as he gazed swept through the crowd his eyes met mine with horror in his eyes the glass in his hands nearly slipped, Selene followed his gaze “Adrian?” he didn't answer, his eyes were still fixed on me.

For the first time in three years, my ex-fiancé was staring at the woman he believed was gone forever. I smiled not the old smile, not the innocent one he remembered but a colder smile that promised a dangerous trouble Ethan leaned toward me, “Don't look away.” Why? “Because your ex looks like he's seen a ghost.” I almost laughed, Adrian started walking toward us one step at a time, his face was pale “ Have we met before” “Of course, my dear fiancé.”. The entire room seemed to go quiet, I tilted my head. His eyes widened “I don't believe this.” “You should.”

Ethan's arm rested around my shoulder.

Adrian's expression changed and for the first time, I saw something I had never seen in his eyes before fear, before he could speak his phone rang. He looked at the screen, his face went completely blank. I watched him carefully. “Who is it?”

He didn't answer, the call ended and then another message appeared, Adrian read it

his hands started shaking, I looked at Ethan he was already watching Adrian like he knew exactly what the message said.

I turned back. “What happened?” Adrian looked at me then at Ethan his lips parted.

“She isn't supposed to be alive.” My smile dropped. “Who?” he didn't answer, he only stared at Ethan then he whispered one name “Marcus.” Ethan went completely still and I realized Adrian wasn't afraid of seeing me, he was afraid of what my return meant.