After You Broke Me, I Became the Billionaire's Bride

The fake heiress had always loved her little pranks.

At my wedding, she swapped my bridal bouquet for funeral chrysanthemums and replaced my diamond ring with a soda-can tab.

My expression went cold on the spot, and I decided to call the police.

But my fianc, Otto Sanchez, caught my hand and murmured low enough that only I could hear.

She's just being childish. She doesn't know any better.

Maria Henson didn't even flinch. She tilted her chin up, a smirk playing at her lips.

It was just a joke. Can't you take a joke?

When Otto and I were sharing the same bed, you were still rotting in some slum somewhere!

That was the seventh time my wedding had been ruined.

Two weeks later, confidential case files from a high-profile murder I was handling were leaked online.

The internet erupted. People called me shameless, accused me of selling out victims for money.

And all of it, once again, was just another one of her bored little pranks.

Otto, if you cover for her again this time, we're done.

But his voice stayed level, almost bored.

Maria's just being playful. She doesn't mean any harm.

She just resents you for taking everything from her. Would it kill you to give a little?

Something bitter climbed up my throat and lodged there.

This time, I shoved him away and dialed 911 without a second's hesitation.

You're wrong. Why should I give an inch?

Everything the Henson family had was mine to begin with.

And as for you, Otto, I would leave you behind in Harbor City along with every scrap of the seven years I wasted loving you.

1.

Inside the station, a settlement agreement sat on the table in front of me. I looked at it and said three words.

I won't sign.

Maria lunged forward and shoved me, her voice shrill enough to echo off the walls.

It was just a prank! Do you seriously have to make this big a deal out of it?!

Ann Henson, is it because nobody loves you, so you have to make yourself feel important by coming after me?!

My heart seized.

Otto watched me, his eyes unreadable.

He caught Maria's arm and spoke low.

Maria, enough. This time you were in the wrong.

That only made her louder.

What did I do wrong?! She's the one who stole everything from me! She's the reason we can't be together!

I turned my gaze to Otto. The light in my eyes had gone out.

Seven years, and in the end, I was the villain who tore the lovebirds apart.

The station doors swung open. A man strode into the lobby and cracked his palm across my face so hard my neck snapped sideways.

Ann Henson, have you lost your mind?! Dragging your own sister to a police station!

She doesn't know better, but what's your excuse?!

I pressed my hand to my stinging cheek, the ache settling somewhere far deeper than skin.

He wasn't a stranger. He was my biological father, and he treated me like one anyway.

I was abducted when I was five. He brought Maria home, raised her as his own daughter, and never once came looking for me.

It wasn't until I was twenty, working a shift at a restaurant, that I ran into my mother by pure chance and we finally found each other again.

In all the years since, Adam Swanson hadn't sent Maria away. Instead, he gave her a fake identity as my twin, and time after time, he treated me like a thorn in his side. I could never understand him.

Dad, I want to ask you something. What if her 'not knowing better' gets me killed one day?

There were tabloid reporters swarming the entrance right now. They had eyes. They could see the truth. And still, every single person in this room chose her side.

Adam Swanson said nothing. The fury on his face didn't waver.

The officer looked between us and spoke again.

Ms. Henson, so you're deciding to press charges?

Yes.

Otto grabbed my arm the instant the word left my mouth, his grip hard enough to bruise.

Ann! You can't press charges. It'll destroy her!

Adam Swanson slammed his cane against the floor.

Ann Henson, what do you think you're saying?!

I lowered my gaze and said nothing.

Then Maria's voice broke through, wailing.

Otto, my chest hurts! It's my heart again, I know it is! Take me to the hospital, please! I don't want to stay here!

Otto let go of me and rushed to her side, scooping her up in his arms.

I stepped forward. This was the last time I would try to hold on to him.

Otto, if you walk out that door with her, we're getting a divorce.

He glanced back, brow furrowed.

Come on, Ann. Now is not the time for this.

You know Maria has a heart condition. Stop making a scene.

Whether Maria actually had a heart condition, I couldn't say. But I knew this was how it always went.

Whenever Otto and I had a date, she'd clutch her chest and force him to come running back.

On my birthday, she'd call from a hospital bed and pull him away.

He never once said no. Maybe what passed between us had never really been love at all.

I stood frozen in place, unable to move, unable to think.

Adam Swanson walked over and stopped beside me. He was smiling.

That boy Otto has been close with Maria since they were kids. If you hadn't come back, nobody would've had to break them up.

Ann, sometimes playing dumb is the easier way to live.

Everyone kept saying I was the one who tore them apart. But what Otto and I had was real. I fell for him first, and I loved him with everything in me.

Even if I'd never returned to the Henson family, he and I should have lasted.

I finished the paperwork, stepped out of the station, and a wave of dizziness crashed over me. The world went black.

I hit the ground, and the last thing I heard was the sound of someone screaming.

Ms. Henson!

When I came to, I was lying in a hospital bed. The doctor stood beside me, his tone earnest and concerned.

Miss Henson, you're pregnant. The fainting episode was caused by extreme emotional distress. You need to be more careful going forward.

We tried reaching your husband, but the call wouldn't go through. He really should be more attentive.

I forced a smile and said softly, He's busy with work.

The door was pulled shut. I rested my hand against my stomach, whispering.

Baby, your timing couldn't be worse. But Mommy's taking you with her.

I picked up the billing slip from the bedside table and headed to the front desk to pay.

On the way, I caught a snippet of conversation between two nurses and stopped in my tracks.

Did you see that just now? Otto Sanchez, Harbor City's top lawyer, came rushing in carrying his wife.

Of course I saw. Hard to miss with all that commotion. He even had every senior doctor on call come examine her. Now that's true love!

Right? I heard they've been sweethearts since childhood. Grew up together, fell in love young. Must be nice.

I gripped the billing slip until it crumpled in my fist, bitterness pooling in my chest.

When I was eighteen and burning with a fever that wouldn't break, Otto had been the same way. He'd carried me through a downpour on his back all the way to the hospital.

But later, when I was so sick I could barely stay conscious, all I got was a single lineIf you're sick, see a doctor. I'm busy with work too.

I used to think he had changed. He hadn't. His love had simply moved on.

A few steps ahead, I ran straight into the two of them.

Maria looked me up and down, then sneered.

Ann, did you come all the way to the hospital to check if I was dead yet? Sorry to disappoint.

I couldn't be bothered.

Move.

Before Maria could even open her mouth, Otto was already stepping in front of her.

Ann, she has a heart condition. She can't handle being provoked. Stop antagonizing her. There's a limit to how spoiled and unreasonable you can be.

I stared into his cold eyes and wanted so badly to ask: what exactly had I done to provoke her?

If I were truly as spoiled and unreasonable as he claimed, I would have torn Maria apart a hundred times over for every single provocation she'd thrown my way.

Otto, you love her that much? Fine. I'll step aside so you two can be together.

I let out a cold laugh.

His expression darkened, brows knotting tight.

Ann, what nonsense are you talking? I only look after her like a sister. I've never crossed a line.

Right. Never crossed a line.

Forgot our anniversary to take her to Iceland to see the Northern Lights.

Ignored my birthday to take her to Japan for the first snow.

Did everything a lover would do, then told me he'd never crossed a line, while I only ever got a Too much hassle. Maybe next time.

Maria slipped her arm through his, casual as anything.

Seriously, you're so petty. Otto and I grew up practically joined at the hip. Do you really have to make a fuss over every little thing?

My phone rang. The firm. I had no time left for either of them.

Attorney Henson, get back here now. The boss is about to lose it!

I turned to leave without another thought, but Otto grabbed my wrist.

Where are you going?

To die. That work for you?

He let go, sheepish, and said nothing.

Back at the firm, the paparazzi had the entrance surrounded so tightly I could barely push through.

Attorney Henson, as Harbor City's second-ranked lawyer, you've turned down countless clients. Now you're defending an accused murderer. How do you justify that?

Was the leak of case files your doing? Or is this a publicity stunt? Care to answer directly?

The crowd pressed in until I couldn't breathe.

A figure stepped in front of me, voice sharp and cutting.

Unless you have evidence, I suggest you stop fabricating stories. Otherwise I will personally sue every last one of you for defamation.

I looked up and met his gaze. Otto.

For one fleeting second, something stirred in a heart I thought had gone quiet. It died just as fast.

He leaned close to my ear and murmuredDon't say anything negative about Maria. These reporters are ruthless. She can't handle them.

That's how it always was with someone who didn't love you. They hurt you without even trying.

Ding.

A message flashed across my phone screen, and my heart seized.

From an angle Otto couldn't see, I opened the text message.

Ms. Henson, your Paris visa was denied. Your marital status was filled in incorrectly.

We verified on your behalf. You have always been unmarried. There is no marriage on record. As for Mr. Sanchez, his legal wife is Ms. Maria Henson.

Grief crashed over me like a tidal wave, dragging me under. I couldn't breathe.

This man, standing right beside me, shielding her again and again. Now I knew why. They were the married ones all along.

In the end, I was the fool. The complete, utter fool.

The wedding never happened. The marriage certificate was fake. What between us had ever been real?

I swallowed the grief, turned away from him, and typed a single line.

Start the process over. Immigration to London. As fast as possible.

Otto didn't come inside. He stayed outside the door.

I walked into the firm. Mervyn Walker was furious, files scattered across the floor where he'd thrown them.

He pointed at me and snappedAnn Henson! Have you lost your mind? Leaking documents this critical? You're suspended, effective immediately.

I exhaled slowly, my voice steady.

Mervyn, I'm formally tendering my resignation.

His expression shifted to shock. He crossed the room in two strides and stopped in front of me.

I said suspended. Once this blows over, you're back. There's no reason to resign. You have a brilliant career ahead of you.

Besides, you and that Sanchez kid fought tooth and nail to get into this firm together. You'd really just walk away from him?

The year we graduated, Otto and I had been so ambitious, so sure of ourselves. We'd clawed our way into this firm.

Over the years, we'd built a reputation across the entire legal world. People heard our names and thought twice.

We'd pulled all-nighters on the same case, sat in each other's courtrooms just to be there.

But now, I was done.

When he saw my mind was made up, Mervyn patted my shoulder.

Wherever you end up, you'll do great things. I'll get everyone together for a proper send-off.

And don't worry. I won't tell Sanchez. Breakups happen. Take care of yourself.

I was carrying my things out when Otto stopped me, panic flickering across his face.

Walker fired you over something this minor? I'll go talk to him.

My voice came out quiet.

I'm just taking some time off. Going to London to clear my head.

In that moment, I wanted him to hear what I wasn't saying. I wanted him to tell me not to go.

He didn't.

The panic drained from Otto's face, replaced by something calm, almost indifferent.

What happened this time, Maria did go too far. When you get back, I'll take you to Iceland to see the northern lights.

Work's been crazy. I owe you a honeymoon. I'll make it up to you.

No need.

I wasn't coming back.

He didn't see me off. Said it like it was obvious: Maria had a follow-up appointment.

I watched his back as he walked away, then sent two texts.

I'm in. I'll come to London and be your partner.

Nicholas, I agree to marry you. On one condition: help me transfer every Henson family asset overseas.

Otto Sanchez. We were over.

On the drive back, a truck slammed into my car.

I was pinned under the wreckage, blood pooling beneath my abdomen, the pain so sharp I couldn't breathe.

My phone had been thrown several feet away. I dragged myself toward it with everything I had and dialed his number.

Otto, help meI've been in an accident.

His voice was urgent, cutting in fast.

Where are you? I'm coming right now. Don't move.

The line went dead

Before I could say another word, the call was cut off.

My hands shook as I dialed again. This time, Otto's voice was clipped with irritation.

Ann, enough. I'm at Maria's follow-up and I'm busy. Stop playing these games. You're not a teenager anymore.

If you're in an accident, call the police. Call 911.

He hung up on me again.

Two men in black jumped down from the truck and walked toward me, their voices ice-cold.

What they said made my blood run cold.

Son of a bitch, this is the woman who leaked the case files on purpose. Got the cops breathing down my neck again!

She's supposed to be some Henson family heiress. We grab her, squeeze them for ransom, then get rid of her.

They moved fast, hauling me into a van before I could scream.

A warehouse. I lay on the concrete floor, barely breathing.

They dialed number after number.

Ann Henson? Tell her to drop dead. I'm not paying a cent.

I told you I'm busy. Stop getting people to play along with your little drama!

The line went dead.

One of the men stared at me, confused.

Her old man doesn't care, her husband doesn't care. She's worthless.

A blade slid from its sheath. The man holding the knife walked toward me, his eyes dark and hollow.

Maria Henson already paid us fifty million to kill her. We're dead men walking anyway. Take the money and run.

Before anyone moved, another man rubbed his hands together and yanked open my collar.

Hold on, don't kill her yet! Look at this body. Let's have some fun first.

I kicked out with everything I had, knocking him back, and my fingers found a shard of broken glass on the floor. I sawed through the ropes.

Every ounce of strength I had left went into running for the door.

They chased me like rabid dogs, screaming obscenities.

Sirens. In the distance, getting closer.

Someone's coming! Shoot her! She's seen our faces!

Shit!

Bang.

The bullet tore through my back. Blood sprayed. I hit the ground hard.

The next time I was conscious, all I could hear was the thin, steady beep of a monitor.

The defibrillator fired again and again. A doctor was shouting in my ear.

Ann! Stay with me! Think of something beautiful in your life! Think of someone who loves you!

My life. Dragged across the country by traffickers. Scrounging cold leftovers from strangers' plates. Eating out of the trash.

After they were caught, I became a shell of a person, doing whatever it took just to stay alive.

Then I met Otto. He became the single point of light in my world. We studied law together, fought the world's injustice together, and he gave up everything his family had just to be with me.

Then my mother, the one person who loved me, died. And he stopped loving me too.

Tears slipped past the corners of my eyes. God, it hurt.

The doctor's voice cracked into a roar.

She's hemorrhaging! Get the blood bank on the line, her vitals are crashing!

The nurse stammered, unable to get the words out.

Doctor, the blood bank won't release the supply. Mr. Sanchez ordered it reserved for his wife. He said she's injured and the stock has to stay on hold.

His wife has a scratch that'll heal on its own by morning! This is absurd. Call the second hospital, now!

Grief and fury crushed through my chest until I couldn't breathe.

Otto, if you knew I was dying, would you still have done this?

My mind became a reel of everything Maria had done, every time Adam had punished me and cursed me for her sake.

Why should the people who destroyed me walk away untouched while I bled out on a table? I refused.

I was going to live, and I was going to drag every last one of them to hell.

When I woke, the doctor stood at my bedside, opening and closing his mouth as if the words wouldn't come.

Ms. Henson, the crash caused severe trauma. The baby didn't survive. Because treatment was delayed so long, the damage is permanent. You won't be able to conceive again. I'm sorry. We did everything we could.

I stared out the window, numb, until the door clicked shut. Then I broke.

I'm sorry, baby. Mommy's so sorry.

My phone lit up.

Ms. Henson, your immigration paperwork has been expedited. Welcome to London.

All assets have been transferred. Also, the matter you asked me to look into: Maria Henson is your father's illegitimate daughter. Your mother's death was not natural.

I gripped the bedsheet until my knuckles went white, grief splitting me open.

A second later, a message from Maria.

Ann, even if you died, he wouldn't spare you a glance. Otto and Daddy are taking me to Capital City for treatment right now. Give it up!

No more clean breaks. No more walking away quietly.

I would send every last one of them straight to hell, and I would make them pay.

Three days later, Otto opened his phone and saw a colleague's social media post. Unease crept through him instantly.

What farewell party? Who's leaving the firm?

The reply came fast.

Attorney Sanchez, you didn't know? Attorney Henson resigned. We threw her a farewell dinner today.