I Bankrupted Him

In the third year of my marriage to the heir of the Nevoria elite, my long-dead ex-fiancé, James Sterling, suddenly reappeared.

He arrived with a lavish proposal gift, earnestly introducing his savior, Sarah Wells. "Emma, these past years, Sarah kept me going, cared for me tirelessly, or I wouldn't be standing here today," he said. "I've returned to Galton now, but I can't be ungrateful. I want to give her a place in my life. From now on, the three of us can live together."

I cast him a skeptical glance, a cold smirk curling my lips. "What did you say?"

James softened his tone, trying to reassure me. "Don't worry, we grew up together, and my heart always leans toward you. I'll give you a proper wedding. Sarah only asks to stay by my side. Emma, be reasonable, don't make this hard for me, okay?"

I studied him closely, confirming he wasn't joking, then made a phone call. "Spread the word. Cut all ties with the Sterling family, effective immediately. Send them back where they came from!"

The audacity of expecting me, the eldest daughter of the Monroe family, to share a husband?

He had some nerve.

My family had the power to make the Sterlings wealthy and to strip them of everything.

...

James, still holding the proposal gift, gazed at me with deep affection.

"Emma, these three years must've been tough, waiting for me," he said gently but with a hint of resolve. But I owe my life to Sarah. You're both equally important to me. I can't abandon either of you. From now on, the three of us will live together. Don't worry, Sarah's easygoing. After we marry, you two will get along like sisters."

My ex, presumed dead for three years, had not only returned but spouted such nonsense. I was torn between fury and amusement, confronting him bluntly. "Are you saying you want Sarah to be your mistress?"

James shook his head, his expression conflicted. "Sarah's pregnant, so… I plan to register our marriage with her. But I'll only hold a wedding with you. Sarah's background isn't ideal; she can't be the Sterling family's lady. Your status makes you the only one fit to be my wife."

So, I, the heir to the Monroe family and wife of Galton Group's young master, was supposed to be the mistress.

What a revelation.

I suppressed my anger, locking eyes with him. "What makes you think I'd agree to a wedding with you?"

James glanced around nostalgically, brushing off my words with a carefree smile. "Emma, don't talk nonsense. You've followed me around since we were kids. Everyone knows you're love-struck for me. When news of my death came from abroad, my parents gave up looking, but you? You nearly died of illness searching for me. Who'd believe you don't want to marry me?"

My gaze grew colder by the second.

So he knew.

He knew how deeply I once loved him, yet he vanished without a