After My Sister Stole My Groom, They All Begged for Mercy

The day I got engaged to the richest man in the city, my mother picked up the microphone in front of everyone, smiling

Actually, my daughter used to be a prostitute.

I stared at her in disbelief.

But Ervin Stephens pulled me behind him

Mrs. Henson, please don't joke like that again.

Afterward, my mother apologized

I just wanted to see if he was sincere about you.

But the night before the wedding, I took one bite of the food my mother had cooked. When I opened my eyes again, I was lying in bed with my sister's boyfriend.

Ervin arrived for the wedding procession and saw us there. His eyes went red instantly

So your mother really wasn't lying after all.

My sister slapped her boyfriend through her tears

How could you do this to me!

My sister became the bride. Her boyfriend burned every piece of clothing that carried my scent

I have never seen a woman as shameless as you.

You'd even steal your own sister's man!

I looked at my mother through tears.

She didn't flinch

Your sister is better suited to be the wife of the richest man in the city.

Twenty years later, the new generation's richest man brought his girlfriend home to meet me

Mom, if she meets your approval, we'll get engaged.

I looked at that face identical to my sister's

She doesn't.

Those two words rippled through the entire banquet hall.

Every guest in attendance froze.

My sister's daughter Anne Stephens. Honors graduate from Berklee College of Music. Five foot seven, a hundred and ten pounds. A face that was a near-perfect copy of her mother's, the celebrated socialite. A father who'd been the richest man in the city. A grandmother renowned at home and abroad for her philanthropy. On paper, the kind of girl no family in Harbor City would dare turn away.

Even my own son, Ronnie Henson, looked stunned.

Momwhen I mentioned Anne before, I thought you liked her?

I hadn't met her then. Now I have.

The room erupted in murmurs.

After all, at Berklee she'd even been voted the prettiest girl on campus.

Anne Stephens had never been rejected like this in her life.

Her face flushed scarlet

Ms. Henson, is it my manners? My outfit? Something else?

Just tell me, and I'll fix it!

There's nothing to fix.

I took a sip of my tea

You will never marry into the Henson family.

Ms. Henson.

Someone finally spoke up

Anne's grandmother surely you know who she is.

A philanthropist known at home and abroad. She's helped a great many people.

That's right, her grandmother raised this girl wonderfully. You don't need to worry about her character.

Hah.

So my mother had been that devoted even to my sister's child.

Ronnie was watching me with open curiosity

Momdid Anne do something wrong?

This has nothing to do with that.

My voice was flat.

Anne panickedOn what grounds!

On what grounds are you keeping me out of the Henson family!

Tell me what's wrong with me! You can't just say no without a reason II

I looked at herYou what?

I refuse to accept this!

I narrowed my eyesI run the Henson empire. I choose my son's wife. I didn't choose you do I owe you a written report?

You !

Anne clamped a hand over her mouth.

She turned and ran out of the room.

The door slammed shut behind her.

I sat there, sipping my tea, expression unchanged.

The banquet carried on.

No one was going to cross me on my own territory.

And my son had been raised by my hand alone.

He had always respected my decisions

Mom, if she offended you before, don't hold it in on our account. It's bad for your health.

I smiled and said nothing. But the banquet was winding downand then the doors swung open

Where is Nadia Henson!

Twenty years ago, I severed ties with the Henson family and gave myself a new name.

My sister, Victoria Henson, looked the same as she had two decades agoonly her waist-length hair was pinned back now, and her face had taken on the sharpness of a woman who'd aged into her ambitions.

The moment she saw me, she froze.

A few seconds passed. Then she smiled

Ronnie's mother is actually you?

I didn't answer.

Sister, Victoria's eyes sharpened with mockery

Word is you never marriednot once in twenty yearsand yet you have a child?

Is there something you need, Miss Henson?

Victoria finally remembered why she'd come. Her gaze cooled as it settled on me

Anne hasn't stopped crying since she got home.

Oh.

Don't you think you're absolutely shameless?

Hm?

Victoria stared at me, hard

You couldn't get to me, so you took it out on an innocent girl!

I smiled without a word.

Nadia Henson.

Victoria's voice went coldDon't think being the richest man's mother means you can do whatever you want.

Don't forget, my husband held that title once too.

And Anne's grandmother, my mother, is celebrated at home and abroad.

I sat in my place at the head of the table, unhurriedAnd?

Your whole family thinks it can meddle in other people's marriages?

Victoria's grip tightened on her handbagI'm just here to remind you not to push it too far!

You barged into my banquet to force me to accept your daughter.

My gaze turned coldSo who, exactly, is the one pushing it?

Victoria clenched her jaw. She was used to running unchecked in their elite social circleeveryone deferred to her out of respect for Mr. Stephens and our mother. None of that worked on me.

I glanced at security. Two guards stepped forward at once and caught her by both arms.

Nadia Henson, you dare let them treat me like this!

Victoria was panicking now.

I didn't look up.

She'd never been dragged out of anywhere beforebut here she was, a guard on each side, hauled toward the door.

Nadia Henson! This is too much! You've gone too far!!

The doors closed, sealing her voice outside.

I wiped my mouth, stood, and bowed to the room

My apologies for the disruption.

Small gifts have been prepared for everyoneplease collect them from the butler on your way out.

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

With that, I turned and left the table. Ronnie followed me out.

The next morning I had barely gotten out of bed when word came that someone was at the front gate, asking to see me.

The door opened, and Ervin Stephens stood on the other side.

Since the last time we'd been face to face, a full twenty years had passed.

I'm here on behalf of my wife and daughter.

He got straight to the point. His eyes drifted over the estate's interior, and something like nostalgia flickered across his face

All these years, you built all of this on your own?

I kept my tone flatWas anyone going to help me?

His gaze settled on me. He let out a quiet sigh

What happened back then I was rash.

So, Mr. Stephens, which one of them are you really here for?

His breath caught. The girl who used to hang on his arm, calling him darling like it was the most natural word in the worldthat girl could now throw his words back at him without flinching.

He sighed again

I've spoiled those two.

You know how it is. Mother and I have always doted on them.

You were heartless yesterday. Neither of them has touched a meal since.

*Heartless?*

I set down my coffee cup and locked eyes with him

Mr. Stephens, do I no longer have the right to manage my own family's affairs?

That's not what I meant

Ervin paused for a beatIt's just that anyone with eyes can see it.

This is revenge. Plain and simple.

I smiled

If that's what you want to call itfine. I admit it.

But isn't the thing you're really angry about the fact that I didn't marry you back then?

Ervin grew agitatedWhat happened back then can't be undone.

If you want revenge, come after me. Don't take it out on an innocent mother and daughter!

Name your price.

Let Anne marry Ronnie and you can have everything I own. Every last cent.

I looked at the man in front of me. That actually surprised me.

Then I laughed

Ervin Stephens.

You're self-made.

He went still.

Let out a sigh and turned his face away.

You swore you'd never let yourself live in poverty again.

And now you'd throw away everything you built? For them?

Ervin sighed again

Theymatter more than money.

A bitter smile.

Those words.

He'd said them to me once, too.

Ervin Stephens.

In the end, I had him shown out.

He kept looking back as he left

Can't we talk about this a little more?

I meant what I said about compensating you. I'm not joking.

Nadia, please.

They're really hurting.

I looked out the window.

And what about the girl who knelt on the ground twenty years ago, sobbing that she'd been framed?

Ervin had barely been gone when someone else asked to see me.

The moment the door opened, we both froze for a beat.

Martin Vance.

The man who'd been in that bed with me.

My sister's boyfriend.

All these years, he'd believed I was the one who drugged him.

And for those twenty years, just like me, he'd never married.

I didn't expect you to show up too.

I spoke first.

Martin sat down across from me.

His gaze swept over my home, expression complicated, before settling back on me.

He opened his mouth

I didn't realize you were this determined.

Hm?

Ronnie Henson. I only found out yesterday that he's your son.

I said nothing.

That night? he asked.

I knew what he meant. The night my mother set us up.

I shook my head.

He let out a breath

You don't need to deny it. I already know.

I really didn't.

He studied me.

A trace of resignation crossed his faceYou always were stubborn.

But you know exactly who I've been single all these years for.

I drank my coffee and said nothing.

Making things difficult for those two, honestly, that's going too far.

You're going to meddle in my family's affairs too?

I shot him a cold look.

He sighed

Nadia.

Strictly speaking, Ronnie is my child.

That makes this my family's affair too.

I already told you he's not your child.

Martin looked at me

Nadia, I'm not blind.

That boy looks like me.

I almost laughed

Martin Vance was the sharp-jawed, ruggedly handsome type.

Ronnie was too.

He has the same look as you, Mr. Vance, sure.

But you're hardly the only man who looks like that.

Mr. Vance, you're really overthinking this.

Martin sighed

Forget it.

I'll take the loss.

I can marry you.

I froze.

He looked at me

Nadia, if that's what you're after, then fine. I accept.

We go down to city hall right now and make it official. What do you say?

I was so choked I couldn't speak for a long moment.

My heart probably still won't be with you, but I'll do my best to fulfill a husband's duties.

I couldn't stand another second of this.

Show him out.

Nadia!

Martin frownedWhy do you have to keep going after Victoria and Anne?!

I stared at him, cold

Show. Him. Out.

He looked at me like I was beyond reason.

My people escorted him away.

I pressed my fingers to the bridge of my nose

If anyone else comes looking for me, turn them away at the door.

But the next day, one of my staff came in again

Chairwoman Henson, there's a visitor outside who insists on seeing you.

She says she's your mother.

More than twenty years had passed, and my mother still looked at me with that same cold indifference.

She stepped inside.

Her gaze swept the room first, taking in the surroundings.

A thin, scornful laugh

Twenty years, and you really have been biding your time.

Mrs. Henson, say what you came to say.

She looked at me

Lying low for twenty years, all for today. Am I right?

I frowned.

She stepped closer

Daughter. You are my daughter.

I know you hate me.

And with that, standing right in front of me, she dropped to her knees.

I stared at her, stunnedMom?

If this is what it takes for you to let go of your anger, then Mom can kneel.

My little darling.

She watched meMom still likes calling you the name I picked out for you myself.

My outstretched hand stopped in midair.

Her eyes locked onto mine, unblinking

What happened back then was entirely my choice.

I won't regret it. But I will take responsibility.

I owe you an apology.

I looked at her with a bitter smile

For Victoria's sake, Mom, you're actually willing to go this far.

Yes.

I quietly pulled my hand back

Mom. There's one question I've never understood.

Will you answer me?

What?

How can you be a philanthropist celebrated at home and abroad, helping so many children in need?

My voice crackedAnd yet you wouldn't even treat me fairly?

She went still.

I looked at her through burning eyes

I even had a DNA test done in secret.

I am your child too. Aren't I?

She lowered her head.

Mom. Say something.

I'm sorry.

She looked up at me, her gaze absolutely unwavering

But I don't want Victoria to suffer.

I laughed.

She didn't want Victoria to suffer.

So it was fine if I did?

My laugh turned bitter, mocking

Get up.

I'm not going to forgive anyone.

My darling!

I said nothing.

Nadia

She was practically begging.

I stood by the windowShow her out.

She stared at me, eyes red.

The sorrow gave way to bitterness, then bitterness became resentment, even fury.

The door slammed behind her.

I watched her retreating figure from the window, then gave the order

Arrange a high-society matchmaking gala for Ronnie. No restrictions on wealth. Anyone with good character and the right age is welcome to attend.

Anyone but Anne Stephens.

Yes.

The gala was arranged within days.

Ronnie dressed impeccably for the occasion.

Arranging a marriage like this, almost like an old-fashioned match. Will you resent me for it?

No.

Ronnie surveyed the young women in the room.

I've never forgotten that you raised me on your own.

It's time I did something for this family.

I smiled.

If there's someone you like, even if her family isn't wealthy, that's fine.

Ronnie looked at me. As long as I like her?

Yes.

Really?

Of course. She doesn't even have to be here today. You can choose anyone.

In that case.

Ronnie stood, raised his arm, and swept the champagne towertwo stories of crystalcrashing to the floor. Glass exploded across the room. Every girl stumbled back screaming, and champagne soaked down my dress.

I looked up.

Ronnie was gripping the hand of Anne Stephens, who had just walked through the door.

I'm sorry, Mom. I know you don't like Anne.

But she's the one I'm going to marry.

Anne looked down at me, her body leaned into Ronnie's, easy and familiar.

Aw, sorry, Auntie. Guess your word doesn't carry much weight around here, does it~