She Returned as the Hidden Heiress on Her Wedding Day

The night before the wedding, our friends were playing truth or dare.

First round, my fianc lost. The slip he drew said to kiss a bridesmaid.

He looked around the room and chose my best friend.

You two are practically the same person, right? Kissing her is the same as kissing you.

Everyone was egging him on. Bella Malone tried to push him away.

I can't, I have a boyfriend now

Before she could finish, Ezra Stephens gripped the back of her neck and kissed her, deep and rough.

Boyfriend? I thought I was the only man in your life.

If you don't want me marrying her, I won't. Why would you say something like that just to hurt me?

The room detonated.

Silence first, then the murmuring, and every pitying glance landed on me.

Ezra turned to look at me too.

Don't misunderstand. I knew Bella before I ever met you. She's not the other woman.

She held back all this time for the sake of our arrangement. You should be thanking her.

If you can't even handle that, we can always swap brides.

I laughed. The kind of laugh that comes when the anger is so absolute it flips over into something cold.

He was right about one thing. This was an arranged marriage.

Which meant the groom was mine to choose.

The room went quiet for one beat, then erupted.

Holy shit, Ezra, you were hiding her this whole time? No wonder every time Bella lost a dare you jumped in to drink for her.

First couple years, Alexis put the word out that nobody was allowed to let you touch alcohol. We couldn't even invite you to a business dinner.

That's rich. Alexis Henson would rather die than let her father's mistress into the house, and she turns out to be the third wheel herself?

Ezra raised an eyebrow.

Didn't confirm. Didn't deny.

I looked down at the row of empty glasses in front of me.

Bella had lost six rounds. I had lost twelve.

Years ago, Ezra ruined his stomach drinking. I nursed him back to health over three years and banned alcohol for him, at home and everywhere else.

He'd obeyed, mostly because he didn't want me angry.

Twelve drinks were nothing to me. I never expected him to take them for me. But he'd taken every one of Bella's.

I'd thought he was doing it so I wouldn't worry about her. Turns out he was playing hero for the one he actually wanted.

Bella glanced at me, guilt flickering across her face, and quickly waved her hands.

Lexi is wonderful, you guys shouldn't talk about her like that.

Besides, she's the Henson heiress. How could I ever competeI'm happy just being able to see Ezra now and then.

Her eyes reddened, her teeth pressing into her lower lip, the picture of quiet suffering.

As if I'd used my name and my family's money to steal her boyfriend, and she was too afraid of retaliation to do anything but swallow it.

Right on cue, the room turned on me.

Someone acts all high and mighty, but behind closed doors she's as dirty as anyone.

I always thought Alexis was a control freak. Won't even let the man drink. Who'd actually want that? Ezra had no choice beforehe needed the arrangement. But things are different now.

No kidding. Ezra just landed the development rights for that south-side plot yesterday. A deal that size? From now on, it's the Hensons answering to the Stephens.

My head snapped up, eyes sharp.

What did you just say?

The bid meeting for that land wasn't supposed to be until the day after tomorrow.

Someone let out a snide laugh.

That meeting ended yesterday. Ezra fed you the wrong date on purpose. That's what you get for trying to compete with him.

But hey, your proposal didn't go to waste. Bella gave it to Ezra. Now that's a power couple. Unstoppable.

My eyes went wide.

My father had promised me. If I landed that project, he would never let his mistress and her illegitimate son through our door.

Half a month I'd gone without rest, revising that proposal dozens of times until I was finally satisfied.

Bella wasn't just my closest friendshe was my assistant. However late I stayed up, she stayed up with me.

And Ezra had voluntarily stepped aside from this bid entirely.

Now the two people I trusted most had joined hands to set me up.

Bella walked over, eyes rimmed red.

Lexi, you're my best friend. I never meant to steal him from you.

But I really do love him. I couldn't stand watching him lose. You can punish me however you wanteven if it means I never see him again

She sobbed like her heart was breaking, and Ezra pulled her into his arms, his expression full of tender concern.

Alexis, look what you've doneyou've scared her half to death. This was all my idea. A woman should be soft and supportive like her, not competing with her own man at every turn!

You know exactly how much the Henson family sank into landing this project. A loss that sizeHenson Corp is going to need Stephens Corp's backing going forward.

Just accept what Bella and I have, let the wedding go ahead tomorrow, and I might even consider giving the Hensons a cut of this project. That's better than losing everything, isn't it?

Listening to him, I laughed.

He knew perfectly well the Stephens family would never accept someone of Bella's background.

He just wanted me as a shield.

I stood up, unhurried.

No need. The project and youI don't want either.

I looked at Bella. Still that same pitiful, fragile act.

When she first joined the company, she was being bullied by a senior manager.

I fired him on the spot, transferred her to my side, taught her to read financial statements, to build proposals from the ground up.

When a client tried to grope her at a business dinner, I smashed a bottle over his head and tore up a contract worth millions.

Bella had cried so hard she couldn't speak

Ms. Henson, I'll work so hard for you. I'll help you land more projects. I won't let you down.

Now she called me Lexi. Said I was her best friend.

Then conspired with my fianc to steal my proposal and let the whole world think I was the other woman.

My voice came out flat and quiet

All these years, I was blind. Your mantake him back.

You're fired. Next time we meet, call me Ms. Henson.

The color drained from Bella's face.

I walked past her without a second glance.

It was raining outside. I stepped straight into it.

I hadn't gone more than a few steps before Ezra's message came through.

Who said you could leave? You made Bella cry. Get back here and apologize to her!

The first time he'd ever had a high fever, back when we'd just gotten togetherI'd rushed over to take care of him.

I tried to make him a bowl of porridge and nearly set the kitchen on fire.

Watching him drag himself out of bedstill sickto clean up my mess, I told him I was sorry.

He took my face in both hands, his gaze steady and serious.

Lexi, with me, you never have to say those three words.

You make a mess, I'll clean it up. You make a mistake, I'll make it right.

But watching you bow your head and apologizeI can't take it.

And now he wanted me to apologize to his mistress.

At some point, an umbrella appeared above my head.

Ezra held out a handkerchief, his expression soft and helpless.

You and that stubborn streak. If you don't want to apologize, don't. No need to punish yourself over it.

The bid thing was my fault. I shouldn't have hidden what was going on between me and Bella either. If you hate it, I'll hand the development rights back to you and cut contact with her. Here, dry off before you catch a cold.

The truth was, Ezra Stephens was never supposed to be on my list of arranged marriage candidates.

The Stephens family was deep in a business crisis back then. No one wanted a strategic marriage with a family that could collapse any day.

But I chose him anyway.

Not for any grand reason. Just because at my birthday dinner, my father's illegitimate son called my mother a short-lived bitch cursed to die young.

Ezra didn't hesitate. He rushed over and beat the kid half to death.

And when my father forgot my birthday entirely, off celebrating an anniversary with the other woman,

I sat in front of my mother's grave all night. Ezra stood behind me the whole time, holding an umbrella.

The umbrella covered me and my mother's headstone. He was soaked through.

By dawn his hands were shaking.

Something shifted in my chest. Without thinking, I took the handkerchief and wiped my face.

A second later, searing pain tore through both eyes, and the burn in my sinuses was unbearable.

Tears and snot poured out before I could stop them.

Laughter exploded around me.

I forced my eyes open and saw the others walking over with Bella.

Oh my God, how's that extra-strength onion juice treating you? Look at her face right now

Ezra said she made Bella cry and wouldn't apologize, so let her cry all she wants!

A few fake lines and she totally fell for it. What an idiot!

Bella ran over with a few tissues.

Lexi, are you okay? I tried to talk him out of it, but he cares about me too much

I managed to wipe my face clean, but then I caught the glint on her ring finger.

I grabbed her wrist, my voice raw

What is this?!

That was the stone Ezra had won at auction for nine figures.

I designed the setting myself, found the craftsman, spent six months having a pair of wedding rings made.

Ezra had been keeping them both.

He'd smiled and said that was what it meant to be of one heart, that he'd put mine on my finger himself on our wedding day.

Now it was on another woman's hand.

Bella started crying again.

I'm sorry, I just wanted to know what it felt like to wear a wedding ring that matched his.

I'll give it back right now, I swear

She made a show of tugging at the ring, but it wouldn't come off, and she stood there looking helpless.

Ezra caught her hand and held it. His expression darkened.

That's enough, Alexis! I can't marry her, and that's already unfair to her. What's the big deal about a ring?

There are plenty of wedding rings in any jewelry store. I'll wire you the design fee and the labor cost, every cent!

This was always an arrangement for mutual benefit. As long as the title of Mrs. Stephens is still yours, what more do you want? Don't push your luck!

I've never been someone who lets her emotions take over.

But something heavy pressed against my chest all the same.

That day at my mother's grave, I'd told him

Go home. You don't have to force a marriage. You stood in the rain for my mother all night, so I'll help the Stephens family.

Ezra had smiled

You don't have to help me. But I'm going to marry you.

I know Miss Henson is proud and capable and never leans on anyone. But it's strange. The rain stopped, and I still want to hold the umbrella for you. When it's cloudy, to keep the rain off. When it's clear, to keep the sun off.

When he said it, a drop of rainwater slid from the tip of his hair.

And landed like a single ripple on the still surface of my heart.

I held nothing back. I helped him, I agreed to marry him, and I believed we were trading one honest heart for another.

Now he called it mutual exploitation.

Someone nearby complained about the cold and suggested the hot springs. One by one, people climbed into their cars.

Bella settled into the passenger seat of Ezra's car, eyes still glistening.

Lexi, I really never meant to hurt you.

But I'm too emotional right now. I don't think I can be in the same space as you. Would you mind getting back on your own?

The rain had soaked through everything long ago, cold wind worming into every crack between bone and skin.

And Ezra really did reach out and block the car door.

He pressed the umbrella into my hand, looked at my swollen red eyes, and softened his tone just slightly.

See? Bella cares about you so much. Can't you just meet her halfway? She's never going to threaten your position as Mrs. Stephens.

I just secured that land. There's no better match in all of Mountain City, and you know it, Lexi. You're not a stupid woman.

So stop making a scene. The wedding goes ahead tomorrow. I wouldn't trust anyone else with this anyway. I'd worry Bella would be mistreated.

Ezra got in the car.

When the door shut, the warm air from inside brushed across my face like a slap.

It didn't hurt. But it was enough to wake me up.

What Ezra forgot was that besides not being stupid, I also couldn't stand a single grain of sand in my eye.

So I made a social media post.

I am officially announcing my breakup with Ezra Stephens, and congratulating him on reuniting with his ex-girlfriend, who also happens to be my former best friend, Bella Malone.

Attached was a photo of the two of them kissing in that private room.

Ten seconds after I posted it, Ezra's call came in.

I didn't answer. I turned off my phone.

When I got back to the Henson residence, my father was sitting on the living room sofa.

His mistress, Scarlett Finch, sat beside him, feeding him fruit.

Their middle-school-aged illegitimate son was holding a set of markers, scrawling all over the carpet my mother had bought.

My fists clenched slowly. This place that had once held every good memory I shared with my mother.

Ruined, in the end.

When she saw me, Scarlett's eyes flickered with something uneasy before she came over with exaggerated warmth, reaching for my arm.

Lexi's home! You must be hungry. What do you feel like? I'll have the housekeeper make it.

This woman who had stolen my mother's husband. Who had driven her into depression until she threw herself off a building.

Standing here now, in my mother's home, playing lady of the house.

I shoved her away

What the hell are you? Take your bastard and get out.

Scarlett stumbled back and turned to my father with wounded eyes.

He stormed over and backhanded me across the face.

You ungrateful brat! You're the one who lost the South District development rights. Who was it that swore up and down she'd secure them? You botched it, and now you have the nerve to throw your weight around at your Aunt Scarlett and your little brother?!

And who gave you permission to break things off with Ezra?! Our only play now is marrying into their family so he'll throw us some scraps and we can recover our losses!

What successful man doesn't have a few women on the side? Why do you have to be so difficult? You're exactly like your dead mother, stubborn to the bitter end!

Delete that post right now, then go find Ezra. Get on your knees and beg him if you have to, but you bring that wedding back to me!

Look at that. My own father.

So cold-blooded. So mercenary. In his eyes there was no wife, no daughter. Only profit.

I pressed my tongue against the inside of my cheek where he'd hit me, and let out a cold laugh.

My mother only ever had one child. That foul-mouthed little bastard doesn't get to call himself my brother.

You're so desperate to grovel for the Stephens family? Send your precious mistress over. Or go yourself. You're already the expert at screwing around. Why let a little thing like gender stop you?

My father's face went white with rage and his hand swung up again.

Someone caught his wrist.

Ezra's gaze swept to the right side of my face, and his expression darkened.

Uncle, I asked you to talk to her. Who told you to hit her?

Relax. I know that post was just Lexi blowing off steam. I'll go through with the wedding tomorrow as planned. The Henson family will get every benefit we agreed on. There's no need to make things difficult for her.

Only then did my father crack a smile. He took Scarlett and the boy and headed upstairs.

Does it hurt?

Ezra reached for my face, but I turned away before his fingers made contact.

Something flickered in his eyes. He sighed.

Lexi, you're too stubborn. You really need to fix that.

Do you have any idea what that social media post did? Everyone at your company is calling Bella a scheming bitch. She nearly slit her wrists!

Tomorrow, at the wedding, in front of the press, you're going to publicly apologize to her. You're going to tell everyone you were jealous, that you photoshopped that picture yourself, and that you slandered her.

I looked at him, almost amused.

And why would I do that?

Ezra's expression hardened. He leaned in close and dropped his voice.

Lexi, did you really think I didn't know where you hid your mother's will?

Think about it. Your father never dared bring Scarlett and her son into the house all these years. So why did he suddenly have the nerve today?

I stared at him in disbelief.

Before my mother died, she left me a will stating that when I turned twenty-five, her shares would automatically transfer to my name. Until then, a professional asset manager would oversee them, and my father had no authority to touch them.

The will was never notarized. She jumped before there was time.

For years my father tried every trick he could think of to find out where it was hidden, but I never gave it up.

To keep me compliant, he never let Scarlett set foot in the house.

Next week, I turn twenty-five.

But I'd hidden it so carefully. How could they possibly

Bella studied hypnosis. And a person who's been pulling all-nighters for days, completely exhausted from working on a proposal? That's when hypnosis works best. That's when the truth comes out.

Lexi, you're too capable. So capable it worries me. I had no choice but to plan ahead.

Ezra pried my curled fingers open, one by one.

Not roughbut steady, absolute, the kind of grip that didn't ask permission.

Relax. All you have to do is apologize to Bella tomorrow, then settle down as Mrs. Stephens and enjoy the good life. I'll manage those shares for you. After all, husband and wife are one, right?

Otherwise, I'll have no choice but to hand it over to your father. Destroying an un-notarized will is easy enough. The moment next week arrives, he becomes the first in line to take over. And you know he's been dreaming of transferring every last share to his own son.

Are you sure you want to lose the last thing your mother ever left you and end up with nothing?

I looked steadily at this man I had once pulled out of the mud with my own hands.

And then I smiled.

Fine. I agree.

Ezra kissed my forehead, satisfied.

I knew it. My Lexi never makes a losing deal.

Bella's waiting for me. I'll see you at the wedding tomorrow.

I watched his figure disappear through the doorway, and the smile dropped from my face.

If he was so determined to force me to this wedding, then I'd give him exactly what he asked for.

I picked up my phone and dialed the number I knew by heart.

Tomorrow, eleven a.m. Rose Manor, Mountain City. Be there to get married.

Thirty seconds late, and I'm picking someone else.

Ezra thought he was still my best option.

He had no idea that from start to finish, he was the losing deal.

The next day at noon, I sat in the bridal dressing room at Rose Manor.

Outside, roses stretched in an endless sea of color, and the outdoor ceremony was set up on a grand, lavish scale.

The door opened and Bella walked in.

The fragile act was gone. She stared at the wedding dress on me with undisguised jealousy.

You know what, Alexis? Even before I ever met you, I hated you. Why should I get looked down on by his family just because I come from nothing and can't help him? Why should I have to play gracious and step aside for you?

So I found my way to you. Became your best friend. And every single time you treated me like an idiot who actually cared, I wanted to laugh in your face.

What happened in that private room? Ezra and I have done it plenty of times since then. Your anniversary this year, when he showed up late? That's because he was with me. On the couch in your office. And last night we slept together in your wedding bed.

Don't think marrying him means you've won. Let me spell it out for you: the day the bid closed, Ezra and I got our marriage certificate.

I'm his real wife. You? You're just a shield he uses to keep those old fossils in his family off his back. So what if you're the heiress? I'm the one who won.

I finally spared her a glance, my tone flat.

Congratulations, then.

Bella didn't get the reaction she wanted. For a second, she just stood there, blank.

Ten minutes before the ceremony, I stepped in front of the press cameras.

About last night's social media post. I owe an apology to my former best friend, Bella Malone.

I'm sorry I wasn't clear enough.

She's not just Ezra Stephens's ex-girlfriend. She's a backstabbing, scheming bitch and a shameless homewrecker.

The smug curve of Bella's lips froze. She burst into tears and threw herself into Ezra's arms.

Ezra's face was even worse.

Alexis, you've really disappointed me. You forced my hand!

Say goodbye to your mother's keepsake!

He pulled out a yellowed document.

Most of the guests had no idea what it was, but my father, standing closest to him, had a light blazing in his eyes.

He knew that handwriting by heart. It was my mother's will.

Ezra was about to set it on fire right there.

The next second, someone seized the wrist holding the lighter.

And wrenched it in the opposite direction.

The man was tall, immaculate in a tailored suit, with an authority that filled the room.

He had a cigarette clamped lazily between his lips. He leaned in, lit it off Ezra's lighter, and blew a slow ring of smoke right into Ezra's face.

His smile was razor-sharp and lethal.

My mother-in-law left that for my wife. A little strange for an outsider like you to be holding it, don't you think?