Chapter 1

My Ex-Boyfriend Married My Best Friend, So I Married His Uncle

On our fifth-year anniversary,

Lucas Sterling ditched me to marry my best friend, Chloe Miller.

Their lavish wedding was live-streamed, going viral across every social media platform.

I was branded a homewrecker, my own family disowned me, and even the funds for my life-saving treatment were frozen.

That notorious playboy, Lucas’s uncle, Julian Sterling, came knocking on my door, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

“My nephew stole my fiancée. To repay him, shouldn't I take care of his ex-girlfriend?”

I gripped my phone, staring at the dozens of unread messages I'd sent Lucas, then turned to pull out the paperwork.

“Know where we go to register a marriage?”

“Isn’t that Eleanor Hayes? Stealing her best friend's boyfriend? How utterly shameless!”

“And look who she’s with—Julian Sterling. He’s such a player. Seriously, they’re a match made in hell.”

Ever since Lucas Sterling and Chloe Miller’s live-streamed wedding, the rumors hadn’t stopped.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Sterling. You’ve had to endure so much because of me.”

“What did you just call me?”

Julian’s face clouded with displeasure.

“Since you married me, don’t you dare pine for other men. Go home, pack your things, and come with me.”

Julian drove me back to my place. He held my hand possessively and greeted my parents politely.

But Mom and Dad weren't happy. They both disapproved of Julian.

Dad's face turned crimson with rage. He raised his hand, ready to strike me, but Julian swiftly intervened.

“Dad, Eleanor isn’t just your daughter; she’s my wife.” His voice was a low, dangerous warning.

Only then did Dad lower his hand.

“Once you walk out that door, don’t ever come back. As far as I’m concerned, I don’t have a daughter anymore!”

I silently packed my belongings and moved into Julian’s house.

“I’m busy these days. If you want anything, just say it.”

He handed me a black card and, with practiced ease, typed a number into my phone, saving it as “Hubby.”

I'd been so nervous, wondering what Julian would do to me, but he just said that and left.

This was nothing like the rumored wastrel who only knew how to spend money and cause trouble.

Before I could think too much, Lucas’s call came in.

“Eleanor, I’m coming back tomorrow. Can you pick me up?”

He and Chloe had immediately gone on their honeymoon after the wedding.

Pictures of their ‘love’ kept popping up online. Now he remembered me?

“As what? Your mistress?”

“It was all a misunderstanding. I was just trying to save Chloe. Don’t worry, I’ll make it up to you for our anniversary when I get back.”

“No need. I have plans tomorrow.”

I hung up before Lucas could respond.

I actually did need to go to the hospital tomorrow; my medication was running out.

My doctor spoke earnestly, urging me to have surgery as soon as possible.

The success rate for heart valve disease surgery was quite high. If I kept relying on medication, it would only get worse.

But he didn't know my finances were controlled by Dad. I didn't have any extra money for surgery.

After leaving the hospital, I walked aimlessly down the street. Luxury ads played on a huge shopping mall screen.

One set of jewelry, a mother-and-child design, looked familiar.

I took off the bracelet on my wrist and went to the counter.

Sure enough, the sales associate told me it was a free gift, worth far less than the matching necklace sold separately.

Lucas had given me this bracelet for my birthday last year.

I remembered Chloe wearing a similar necklace the very next day.

At the time, I hadn’t thought much of it, but now, it felt like nothing more than Chloe’s discarded trash, yet I’d cherished it like a treasure.

I tossed the bracelet into a nearby trash can, tears silently streaming down my face.

“Eleanor? You really came to pick me up.”

Lucas’s voice held a note of surprise.

“You know Chloe is a benefactor to my company. Without her, I wouldn't be where I am today. But she was going to marry an asshole like my uncle, and I couldn't let that happen.”

Seeing Lucas, I realized I was only half an hour from the airport.

“So you could just ruin me? Do you know what people are saying about me? My father even cut off all my funds.”

Lucas hugged me, his expression pained.

“Anything Uncle doesn’t give you, I will.”

I pushed him away, shaking my head.

“You should keep it for Chloe.”