No Way Back: The Outcast Billionaire Is My Real Husband

Julian tightly held Chloe's hand, pulling her to stand in front of the crowd. Chloe let out a soft gasp, feigning an attempt to pull her hand back. "Julian, we can't do this. Your grandfather arranged your marriage with Aria." "You're the only one I love, Chloe. I refuse to marry anyone else." He locked fingers with her, looking directly at Arthur Sterling sitting in the VIP seat. "Grandfather, I've always loved Chloe. She is the only one I will marry." The guests whispered, throwing pitiful and mocking glances my way. Everyone knew Julian and I grew up together, and that I was Arthur's handpicked granddaughter-in-law. But now, Julian was slapping me in the face in front of the entire high society circle. Julian’s voice left no room for argument. "Aria and I might have grown up together, but I've only ever seen her as a sister. I have no romantic feelings for her." "Chloe and I love each other. We've been together for a long time. In my heart, Chloe is my only wife. No other woman can take her place." Julian's parents, Richard and Beatrice, paled, nervously checking Arthur's reaction. Julian wrapped his arm around Chloe's waist and shot me a mocking look. "Aria, you know I don't love you. You wouldn't want to marry a man who doesn't love you anyway, right?" "Besides, Chloe and I are already together. You can't use Grandfather's affection to tear us apart." I glanced at them calmly, then bowed slightly to Arthur Sterling. "Arthur, since they love each other so much, I'll step aside." "I wish Chloe and Julian a lifetime of happiness." Hearing my smooth resignation, a flash of annoyance crossed Julian's face. But Chloe quickly clung to his arm. "Julian, your grandfather arranged your marriage with Aria. Will he be upset with us?" Julian patted Chloe's hand reassuringly, speaking in a gentle, doting tone. "Don't worry. Grandfather loves me the most. He won't get mad at me over her." "Besides, you're the real daughter and future heir of the Vance family. This is still a union between our families. Why care about an outsider?" An outsider? Only my father and Arthur knew the truth about my identity. My mother was the sole heiress of the legendary Thorne dynasty. Back then, my parents' marriage was purely a business alliance, and I was designated to inherit the Thorne empire, which is why I took my mother's last name. On top of that, did Julian really think Chloe was my father's biological daughter? Arthur Sterling frowned at Julian's words. "Julian, stop playing around. Are you absolutely sure you want to marry Chloe?" Julian firmly slid the engagement ring onto Chloe's finger and kissed her hand with dramatic devotion. "Grandfather, I've made up my mind. I will marry no one but Chloe." Arthur looked at Julian with deep disappointment. If Julian had simply asked to change the bride beforehand, the old man might not have judged him so harshly. But choosing to humiliate me publicly in front of the entire elite class proved Julian was completely unreliable. "Fine. Have it your way."

Now that Arthur had spoken, the tense crowd finally let out a breath. This engagement party had gathered the city's most elite business moguls, and everyone was dying to see how this drama would unfold. Amidst the hushed whispers of the guests, Julian held Chloe’s hand and faced the crowd. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate my engagement to Chloe Vance today." The guests exchanged looks, stunned that the Sterling and Vance families would pull off a last-minute bride swap right on stage. My father, Marcus, hadn't expected this either. His face darkened instantly. I didn't look great either, but I forced my spine straight, holding up my champagne glass to toast them under the scrutiny of the crowd. "Julian actually swapped his fiancée on the spot. He didn't show Aria any respect at all." "Didn't Arthur insist on Aria being his granddaughter-in-law? Why did he agree to the swap?" "Getting swapped at your own engagement gala... how humiliating. I wonder what Aria did to make Julian reject her so publicly." The whispers weren't quiet. Marcus glared at Chloe, then turned to Julian with a cold expression. "Do you have any idea how much gossip your stunt is going to cause Aria?" "And you, Chloe. You're old enough to think about the consequences. Are you trying to humiliate me?" Rebuked by Marcus, Chloe timidly tried to slip the ring off her finger to hand it to me. Arthur raised a hand to stop her. He patted my head with deep guilt and said warmly, "Aria, don't worry. I will make this right for you. If you're willing, there are several other fine young men in the Sterling family." Julian's parents heard this, but they assumed the old man was just comforting me, so they didn't pay it much attention. But to their absolute shock, I pointed toward the corner of the room, right at the illegitimate Sterling son who was quietly watching the drama. "Actually, I've always had a crush on Luke. I hope you can bless our relationship, Arthur." Everyone's eyes darted to Luke, scanning back and forth between him and me. Luke was the illegitimate son of Julian's late uncle. Ever since his father passed away, he had been ignored and mistreated by the family. But since he was still a Sterling, Arthur, wanting to avoid rumors that the family abused its own blood, had brought him in to raise him. Marcus looked at me in shock, whispering urgently in my ear. "Aria, I know you're upset, but he's just an illegitimate son. The Sterlings don't care about him." I casually swirled my champagne glass, raising it toward Luke. "It's not his fault he was born illegitimate. I think he's great, and I'd like to give it a shot." Luke met my gaze with a lazy, amused smirk. "Since Miss Thorne likes me, let's give it a shot." The crowd's glances became even more loaded with meaning. The news of the Sterling bride swap spread like wildfire through the elite circles. The moment the gala ended, I received a text from my mother. In a private lounge, my mother held me tightly, her eyes flashing with anger as she glared at Marcus. "Marcus Vance, how dare you let my daughter suffer such humiliation? Do you want to lose everything?" I squeezed her hand, steering the conversation back to business. "Arthur offered me a different partner. His name is Luke Sterling, and I actually like him." Marcus wiped the sweat from his forehead and sighed. "He's just an illegitimate son. He's a complete outsider in the Sterling family. Why him?" Looking at my parents' confused faces, I spoke calmly. "The marriage alliance was agreed upon by Arthur and Grandfather Thorne. I have to marry into the Sterling family regardless." "Luke might be illegitimate, but he is by far the most capable man in the younger generation of Sterlings. From a business standpoint, he is the perfect partner."

"Besides, since he's an illegitimate son, marrying me means the Thorne family will be his ultimate backing in the Sterling empire. He will never mistreat me." Meanwhile, Chloe became the most popular girl in high society. Everyone scrambled to kiss her feet. After all, with the Sterling and Vance families joining forces, any business that secured a partnership with them would skyrocket. I didn't have time to deal with their petty games. I was overseas, focusing on the business expansion my mother had handed me. But when Arthur's birthday came around, Chloe went out of her way to send me an invitation. She even called me several times, leaving me with no choice but to show up. The moment I stepped into the Sterling manor, all eyes fell on me. I didn't show an ounce of awkwardness, smiling as I handed my gift to the butler. "Why is Aria Thorne here? Didn't the engagement swap happen?" "Don't you know? When Julian insisted on swapping brides, she got so mad she chose the family's illegitimate son instead." "Marrying an illegitimate son just to crawl into the Sterling family... Aria really has no shame." Amidst the gossip, Chloe arrived, clinging tightly to Julian's arm. Unlike her usual low-key and soft look, she was wearing a heavy, custom designer gown today, draped in loud, excessive diamond sets. It made her look incredibly tacky. When she saw me, she walked over with a fake, sweet smile, trying to grab my arm. "Aria! It's so wonderful that we're both marrying into the Sterling family. For the sake of our sisterly bond, I'll make sure Julian gives your husband some career favors." I almost laughed out loud. Even now, she still thought my ultimate goal was just to claw my way into the Sterling family. Julian thought so too. In his eyes, my desperation to marry into his family made me look pathetic. He glared at me like I was a piece of trash. Too lazy to deal with either of them, I turned to walk away, but my eyes caught the gem necklace around Chloe's neck. It was the Sterling family heirloom necklace, which Arthur kept under lock and key. I was shocked to see it on Chloe. The Sterling heir hadn't even been officially named yet. How did she get her hands on it? I pointed at the necklace, my gaze sharp. "Where did you get that necklace?" Julian looked guilty for a split second, while Chloe stroked the gems, putting on a victimized face. "Aria, I know this necklace was supposed to be yours. But I'm the one marrying Julian now, so of course it belongs to me." Julian nodded righteously. In his head, he was already the guaranteed heir. Letting his fiancée wear the heirloom early was no big deal. "It's my family's heirloom. I can let whoever I want wear it. What does it have to do with you?" He sneered, looking me up and down before taking a step back in disgust. "Stop trying to use this to get my attention. I will never love you. Chloe is the only one in my heart." Julian spoke loudly, drawing several sharp looks from the surrounding guests. "Aria Thorne always acted so high and mighty, but she's actually trying to steal her sister's fiancé." "Those two are soulmates. Why is she still throwing herself at him?" Chloe blushed, playfully hitting Julian's chest. "Don't be so mean to Aria. Once she marries in, we'll all be family. We should help them out." Julian smirked, pinching Chloe's cheek affectionately. "Fine, for your sake, I'll let it slide. But Aria, if you ever try to make a move on me again, don't blame me for being ruthless." While they were busy flirting, a cold voice cut in from behind them. "Why on earth would my wife ever make a move on you? Julian, talking to your future sister-in-law like that is incredibly rude."