I Thought He’d Marry Me, I Wed His Rival

Chapter 1

When Mira was five years old, Julian Blake, the heir to the Blake family, brought her home from an orphanage and gave her a family.

He personally took care of her, doting on her in every possible way. Wherever he went, he brought her along. Whenever people teased him about the little tail constantly following behind him, he would simply smile and say, "My little sister deserves the best care, doesn't she?"

For an orphan who had spent her life yearning for the warmth of a family, those words went straight to her heart.

By the time Mira reached puberty, she realized she had fallen in love with her adoptive brother.

She knew it was wrong, so she buried those feelings deep inside her heart.

But on the night of her eighteenth birthday, Julian drank too much. Holding her tightly in his arms, he confessed his feelings.

Only then did she learn that she wasn't shamelessly in love on her own. Her adoptive brother loved her too.

Their mutual love shattered the chains of taboo. Mira surrendered to her heart, and had s*x with Julian on that night.

From that moment on, their relationship became an open secret throughout Havenwood.

Everyone knew that Mira was not only Julian's cherished adopted sister, but also the woman he loved most.

On the eve of her twentieth birthday, he personally fastened a diamond bracelet around her wrist.

"Mira, trust me. I will marry you."

At the time, she was so overwhelmed by happiness and sweetness that she failed to notice the unnatural hesitation in his voice.

The very next day, however, Ethan Blake, Julian's father, made a public announcement during a banquet.

A marriage alliance.

Julian Blake would marry Clara West, the daughter of the West family.

And Mira would be offered as a bargaining chip, engaged to Julian's greatest rival—Oscar West, Clara's older brother.

For a moment, her mind went completely blank.

She whipped her head around and stared at Julian, desperately hoping he would say anything.

But Julian merely continued entertaining his business associates with a polite smile. He didn't even glance in her direction.

Biting her lower lip hard, Mira ripped off the diamond bracelet she had treasured like her most precious possession.

With a soft clink, it landed on the polished floor.

Only then did Julian's expression change. Leaning closer, he lowered his voice.

"Mira, don't make a scene. Let's calm Father down first. After that, I'll—"

"How long am I supposed to wait?" she cut in. "Until after I'm married? You knew about this alliance all along. Why didn't you tell me?" She jerked her hand away. Her eyes were red, yet she stubbornly refused to let a single tear fall.

"Julian? Mira? There you are."

A soft, sweet voice interrupted them.

Clara approached with a wine glass in hand.

Suddenly, she seemed to trip over something, and the glass tilted sharply. Red wine splashed all over the hem of Mira's expensive white evening gown.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry! I really didn't mean to!"

Clara gasped dramatically, apology after apology spilling from her lips. Her beautiful face looked completely innocent.

"Mira, are you alright? If you want, Julian can buy you another dress."

Julian frowned slightly and removed his suit jacket, intending to drape it over Mira's shoulders.

But Mira stepped back.

Grabbing the wine-soaked fabric of her gown with both hands, she pulled sharply.

Riiip!

The luxurious floor-length dress was instantly transformed into a sleek short dress, exposing her long, slender legs.

Gasps of admiration erupted from the surrounding guests.

Without hesitation, she tossed the torn fabric onto the floor as though discarding a piece of revolting trash.

Ignoring Julian's darkened expression completely, she lifted her chin toward Clara and said clearly,

"No need."

"As for this dress..."

"And the person who gave it to me..."

"I don't like either of them anymore."

Without sparing Julian another glance, she turned and strode toward the ballroom exit.

Nearby, the young heirs gathered around Oscar clicked their tongues in amazement.

"Oscar, who would've thought your fiancée had a figure like that?"

Oscar gently swirled the wine in his glass, an intriguing smile forming on his lips.

The little tail who had always followed Julian around was finally fighting back.

She was much more interesting than he'd imagined.

Mira hailed a taxi outside and gave the driver the address of the Blake family villa.

Taking a deep breath, she pulled out her phone and found a number she had never once called on her own.

The call connected after a single ring.

A warm, familiar female voice answered immediately.

"Mira?"

"Mom."

Her voice was calm, carrying only a trace of exhaustion.

"I'll go abroad with you."

The woman on the other end sounded surprised but delighted.

"You finally agreed? Good. Seven days from now, I'll pick you up at the orphanage."

Mira reached into her purse and pulled out something she had bought that very morning.

Something she hadn't yet had the chance to tell him about.

On the pregnancy test, two bright red lines stood out unmistakably.

Holding back her tears, she responded softly,

"Okay."