Unexpected Bride

In my previous life, my parents made me choose a bride from the three most powerful families in the capital.

I did not hesitate. I chose the one I loved most: Holly Smith.

However, on our wedding day, she died in a car accident on her way to the hotel.

The Smith family was devastated. Though they did not dare blame my family, I was consumed with guilt. I transferred all my assets and shares to them without hesitation.

Twenty years later, while on a business trip overseas, I saw Holly, alive, locked in a passionate kiss with my former best man on the street.

The other two heiresses stood nearby, watching with envy.

"Faking your death for twenty years just to end up with your true love? Worth it," one of them said.

"And Hayden, that pathetic lapdog, stayed faithful to you all this time. What a joke."

I lost control and rushed over to confront them, but Holly had people waiting. They dragged me into a pickup truck and beat me half to death.

With a twisted smile, she sneered, "You've got some nerve showing up here.

"You wanted me so badly back then that you had Jack beaten, he almost lost his memory and forgot about me!

"Since you came all this way, I'll make sure you experience what it feels like to wish you were dead."

When I opened my eyes again, I was back on the day my parents asked me to choose my bride.

I pointed to the maid's daughter standing in the corner.

"I'll take her."

My father, Marvin Yates, and my mother, Anna Carter, froze for a second before standing up, disbelief written all over their faces.

"Hayden Yates, are you pulling our leg?"

I looked at them, my voice steady. "I'm serious. I like Larissa."

I glanced over at the small, delicate figure tucked away in the corner, and my heart missed a beat.

In my previous life, Holly Smith had shattered my heart with her fake death. It was Larissa Shaw who had been there, slowly helping me piece it back together.

Larissa stayed by my side through it all, right up until my last breath. In those final moments, through the haze, I saw her holding me, weeping as if her world was ending.

That was when I knew she was in love with me all along.

"Hayden!" Marvin hissed, trying to keep his voice down.

"You've always had a thing for Holly from the Smiths, right? If not her, there's the Gibsons and the Stewarts!

"You grew up with those girls, you know them through and through, but Larissa… She's just a maid's kid..."

I could not help but smile, leaned in close, and whispered something that made them go stone-still.

Marvin's voice trembled as he asked, "You're telling the truth?"

I nodded, hard.

My parents looked at each other, a wave of relief washing over them. "Alright, then. We'll have the family host your wedding in three