Chapter 1

But I was no longer the Aurora Lowe from seven years ago—a young woman who hung on his every word and lost sight of herself to be his lapdog.

"There's no need for me to lie to you. I'm married to someone else now," I said.

Tyler shot me a disdainful look and snorted. "Drop the act, Aurora. I'm not here to ask for your permission—I'm informing you that I'm marrying Ruth whether you like it or not."

Ruth Watson tugged on his arm and feigned innocence as she said, "Don't argue with Aurora, Ty. I just don't have the luck of being with you. You can just send me home."

She pretended to leave but didn't take her hands off his arm. She even shot me a taunting look.

Tyler's gaze softened at her words. "Ruth, you said you'd be with me forever. Don't worry, alright? Aurora is desperately in love with me, and she listens to everything I say. I promise you that I'll marry you!"

Seven years had passed, and Tyler was even more thick-skinned than before. Before I could say anything, he glared at me and snarled, "You've been Mrs. Stone for seven years. It's Ruth's turn now! She's suffered far too much, and I won't let you bully her."

I smiled mockingly. "I haven't done anything. Don't try to make me out to be the bad guy."

Tyler's expression darkened as he scanned me. "Do you think you're a big deal? I would've kicked you out of here ages ago if not for you having waited for me for seven years. Do you think I'd still be wasting my breath on you?"

He wanted to kick me out? He wouldn't get the chance.

Besides, what made him think I would've wasted seven years waiting for him? I gave up on that the day he left me behind.

Seven years ago, I'd put on my wedding dress and waited for Tyler to marry me. However, he'd fled and left me jilted. The car he'd run off in had sped off a cliff, and only the driver had made it out alive.

Everyone had thought him dead for the past seven years—I'd picked out his burial spot myself. However, the marriage with the Stone family was something my father had fought hard to get for me. Tyler could disregard his family's reputation, but I couldn't.

It wasn't like he was the only single man in the Stone family anyway.

Over the past seven years, I'd become someone's wife and mother. If not for Tyler suddenly returning, I would've forgotten all about it. And so, I was completely unaffected by this reunion.

I said calmly, "I'll say this once more—you and I are not married, Tyler. Legally speaking, you're dead. That's why it's none of my business who you want to marry."

Tyler snorted. "At least you're not completely dumb. I wouldn't have needed to flee abroad if you hadn't insisted on marrying me back then. I've been in hiding for the past seven years!"

That explained everything. He and the driver had been in the same car, so how could he have died when the driver had gotten out alive? It had just been an excuse for him to make his escape.

He was still the same old scumbag. He thought too much of himself and was utterly irresponsible. His mother, Mary Gould, had fainted on the spot upon learning of his "death" back then. She'd fallen gravely ill and had almost died along with him.

Just then, the butler, Nelson Brown, hurried over and heard the last of Tyler's words. He hurriedly said, "Mr. Tyler, you can't say things like that! Madam Aurora is now the wife of Stone Group's CEO."

"The CEO's wife?" Ruth's eyes widened slightly. She asked, seemingly casually, "Ty, didn't you say that your grandfather would only appoint you as the CEO?"

Tyler stiffened. Then, he looked at me indifferently. "I'm my father's only son. Who else would have the right to inherit the CEO position but me?"

I stared at him incredulously.