Two Heirs, One Bride

Steve was the imposter.

After the true heirs return, he was cast out, left destitute and disgraced. It was then that he and I began our clandestine affair.

I, touched by his plight, offered him considerable care and support. Who would have thought that as soon as he found his footing in Port Royale, he would sever ties with me, clinging instead to the wealthy heiress?

"It's over, Eleanor. Youre older than me, and your career is stagnant. Lets just call it quits and part ways amicably."

I had no objections, a sigh of relief escaping my lips. After all, just yesterday, the Patton family had inquired if I would consider an alliance with their true heir. At the time, Id been racking my brain for a graceful way to dump Steve.

1.

Faced with such a convenient breakup, I certainly wouldn't refuse.

My gaze lingered for a moment on Steves tightly clenched jawline before shifting to the dainty girl beside him.

"Thank you, Eleanor, for all these years of looking after Steve I hope my sudden visit isn't too much of an intrusion."

The hand holding my wine glass slowly lowered to rest beside my right thigh. The girl opposite me looked very young, with platinum blonde hair, clutching a designer cloud bag.

"Not at all. A few of us ladies were just having dinner together. Feel free to join us."

I offered the polite response without a flicker of emotion. My friend beside me, however, couldn't sit still. She leaned in and whispered, "What are you doing, Eleanor? She just stole your boyfriend, and you're being nice to her?"

I simply smiled, giving her a reassuring yet indifferent look. Then, the girls voice drifted over again.

"Oh, that won't be necessary. My main reason for coming was to explain to you, miss. You might not know Steves background, but he was originally the eldest son of the Patton family. Something happened, and he was cast out, forced to associate with well, with descendants of nouveau riche families like yours."

"So?"

"So, Steve choosing me means hes returning to his rightful place. I hope you don't think hes betrayed you, and please, dont try to cling to him."

A strange, awkward tension filled the air. A few people almost snorted with laughter. Only after I cleared my throat did silence return.

I placed my wine glass on the table and addressed the girl.

"Whether he betrayed me or not, I can distinguish. Also, whats your name?"

"Me? Oh its fine if you know. Its Iris Vance."

At her reply, the scorn in my eyes deepened. So, it was the Vance family. Last month, her father had hosted a dinner, inviting my mother and me, hoping to secure the Azure City project in the Northern District. A dog begging for scraps from our family, yet so eager to strut and preen in public.

"Alright, I understand. If theres nothing else to say, then please leave."

With my dismissal, Iris snorted, picked up her bag, and strode out of the private room, her high heels clicking. Steve, dressed in a grey shirt, followed behind her. He hadn't uttered a single word, as if still grappling with my casual acceptance of the breakup and his betrayal.

I gazed at that face, a face Id found so incredibly appealing, and offered a final, knowing smile.

2.

"Eleanor, what's going on? You're really just going to let that slide?"

My friends huddled around me, buzzing with gossip.

"That's just the younger Miss Vance, recently back from abroad. Her family hasnt really made any headway over the years, but she certainly puts on airs."

"Eleanor, you're just too modest. If they truly knew who you were, they wouldnt have dared to utter a peep"

I stared at the deep red liquid shimmering in my wine glass, a faint smile playing on my lips. I shook my head nonchalantly.

"You all know Steve and I were just a casual fling. If they knew too much, it would be harder for me to disengage."

So, in Steves eyes all these years, my friends and I were merely idle descendants of parvenus. And he, the supposed false heir of a prominent family, was scorned by the entire social circle after being repeatedly ousted from the Patton family for his jealousy of the true heir, Evan Patton.

I hadn't even known of his existence until a particular night. It was at a cocktail party, and Id noticed him being ridiculed by those trying to curry favor.

That day, he wore a custom-tailored suit that was still somewhat presentable, but his cool brown hair was drenched in spilled wine. Distinguished men and women, dressed in opulent attire, stood before him, their mocking voices drifting to the next booth:

"Steve, why dont you just become a male model? Even if your background is utterly lowly, that face of yours is passable. Maybe some wealthy older woman with specific tastes would take you on"

"Hahahaha, seriously, I think Steve appeals more to men. How about going out with some guys? Steve, if youre desperate for cash, I can introduce you right now!"

As the words fell, the slightly overweight man with glasses reached for his wine glass, poised to douse him again.

"Enough."

I happened to be in a bad mood that day, finding their clamor too irritating. I turned and called out softly to their table. My gaze then drifted down to Steves almost perfect profile, a flicker of admiration in my eyes.

"Who are you?!" the slightly chubby man asked, clearly annoyed at the interruption.

I averted my gaze. Walking over, I bent down and gently took Steves hand, intending to lead him away. He was so thin then, like a delicate puppet devoid of a soul.

"Did I say you could leave?"

Many people crowded around. The Thorne family had kept an extremely low profile in Port Royale over the years. Many knew the Thornes were a deeply established noble family, yet few had ever seen the Thorne heiress. So, naturally, they didn't recognize me.

I glanced at the few people in front, sighing.

"Alright, speak. What will it take for me to take him away?"

"Oh, youre an unfamiliar face, miss. Quite the act." The young woman next to the slightly chubby man giggled. "How about this, Mr. Davies? Let her pay our tab, then well let them go."

Mr. Davies wore a sinister smile. He then called over a familiar face from the bar. The middle-aged man turned to me. "Beautiful, come settle the bill here."

In the end, under the incredulous stares of everyone present, I paid five hundred and ten thousand dollars to take Steve away.

From then on, we knew each other, though he only knew the fabricated identity of a nouveau riche single daughter that Id spun for him. I knew his reputation was poorarrogant, materialistic, and cold-blooded. After the Patton family found their true heir, he had repeatedly caused trouble for him.

Yes, Steve was truly despicable, but I couldn't deny that he was incredibly handsome, his physique perfectly to my taste. The first time I saw him, pale and fragile, his hair wet with wine, I was momentarily lost in his exquisite brokenness. So, I offered him a hundred thousand a month to be my kept man.

This illicit arrangement, mutually beneficial, brought me two years of enjoyment. He was mostly compliant, and I covertly supported his career without his knowledge.

However, last week, my mother informed me that the Patton family wished to arrange a marriage with me. My heart gave a sudden jolt. The proposed groom, of course, was not Steve, the imposter, but Evan Patton, the true heir.

My thoughts drifted back to the private room. Facing my friends questions, I let out a soft sigh of relief and confessed.

"I originally arranged this gathering hoping youd help me find an excuse to break up with Steve. But it seems I dont need to anymore."

"Oh, what a coincidence! Just as Steve and Iris got together"

"Yes."

"Eleanor, thats great! With your kind of arrangement with Steve, if you had initiated the breakup, he would have demanded a huge severance package"

My friend was right. With Steve and my financial relationship, a breakup would undoubtedly cost me. I had already mentally prepared to give him the limited edition supercar and the riverside penthouse hed coveted for so long. His infidelity, however, saved me a hefty sum.

"But Eleanor, why did you suddenly want to break up? Wasn't Steve exactly your type?"

I pondered for a moment, deciding a small disclosure wouldn't hurt.

Because Im getting married.

"What?! Whose family? From Port Royale, or out of town?"

I didn't elaborate, merely stating, "You'll all know soon enough."

3.

Despite the impending engagement to Evan Patton, the true heir, I hadn't even met him yet. On my way to meet him, I happened upon my mother having afternoon tea on the ground floor.

"How is Evan?" I asked.

My mother set down her teacup and slowly looked up at me. "Don't worry. He's no less impressive than your previous acquaintance."

Her words sent a chill down my spine. Sure enough, my little secrets hadn't escaped my mother's notice. Fortunately, I had been diligent in my work all these years, so she had always pretended not to know.

4.

We arranged to meet at an upscale French restaurant. At this hour, it wasn't crowded. When I arrived precisely on time and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, my date was already seated there, gazing out, lost in thought.

"Hello, Mr. Patton?"

He turned. His deep-set eyes held a serene, distant quality, and his amber pupils reflected my somewhat hesitant smile. In the past two years, I had heard rumors about this true heir. They said Evan Patton was exceptionally intelligent, possessing unique insights into emerging trends, and had quickly taken over most of the Patton family's businesses. However, he was also described as eccentric and aloof, perhaps scarred by his childhood experiences.

It was strange, but he did bear a slight resemblance to Steve, though Steve's refinement was born of lavish indulgence, while Evan's was an almost ethereal elegance.

"Yes. Miss Thorne, please have a seat."

His voice was both magnetic and clear, much like the overall impression he gave me C contradictory yet mysterious.

We chatted for a long time, from adolescent anecdotes to travel experiences. It was then I learned that Evan hadn't lived a difficult life before being recognized by the Patton family. He had always been raised in an intellectual household, with both parents as university professors at renowned institutions.

At this point in the conversation, I didn't inquire why he chose to return to the Patton family. Yet, sensing my hesitation, he abruptly changed the subject.

"Miss Thorne, both our parents have agreed to this alliance, but you understand that, in essence"

"Its an exchange and merger of interests. We probably don't have the power to refuse."

I sat there, stunned. A sliver of sunset from the window fell near my eyes, but I didn't look at it. I calmly replied, "And then what?"

"So, my lawyer will contact yours to discuss the prenuptial agreement. And the division of assets under various circumstances after marriage, especially"

"What?"

His amber eyes held a searching quality, a look I had seen many times at negotiation tables. It no longer surprised me. Sure enough, in the next second, he laid out his terms.

"Miss Thorne, since were speaking frankly, I wont hide it. I already know about your previous relationship with Steve."

I raised an eyebrow. If he had bothered to investigate Steves whereabouts over the past two years, he would have easily found out. So, I wasn't surprised.

"But that was your personal life before marriage, no right or wrong there. However, I need to secure my marriage. If either of us commits infidelity after marriage, they automatically forfeit all marital assets."

At his words, I smoothed my curled hair beside my ear, my expression now completely devoid of warmth.

The day I was born into the Thorne family, I severed ties with any notion of innocence. I knew my marriage would inevitably be a tool, but I hadn't expected everything to be laid bare. After all, leaving some room for pretense, my so-called husband and I could occasionally enjoy the illusion of intimacy. But clearly, the man before me didn't think that way. His words even carried a hint of judgment about my private life.

"Before we're even married, youre telling me you have no trust in me, Mr. Patton?"

"Trust is too ephemeral a word. I prefer it in black and white."

My last hint of a smile vanished.

"Fine. I agree."

With that, I picked up my bag, ready to leave the restaurant. There seemed no point in further small talk. But at that moment, the man spoke.

"On the day of the engagement, I plan to invite my formerly wayward brother. You don't mind, do you, Eleanor Thorne?"

He was, of course, referring to Steve. I figured the man was probably busy buttering up the Vance family at that moment.

"As you wish."

My gaze returned, my voice cold.

5.

The entire drive home, I was distracted. It wasn't until I pulled into our family garage that the chill in the air brought my thoughts back.

Going upstairs, I found Mother still on the sofa, engrossed in some documents. Seeing me return, she cast a fleeting glance.

"The Patton family has sent over the detailed prenuptial agreement. You should take a look too."

I let out a dull sigh. "You just look at it."

Mothers hand, holding the folder, paused. "What's wrong? Come sit here."

I never defied Mothers commands. After two seconds of hesitation, I walked over to sit beside her. Beneath the prenuptial agreement, there was also a collaboration proposal concerning an AI model in the information technology sector.

"Ive generally reviewed it; no issues. You go through it too."

I nodded, lowering my gaze to read. The moment I closed the folder, I couldn't help but look despondently at the elegantly dressed woman beside me. She was actually very well-preserved, with few wrinkles at fifty, looking closer to her thirties.

"Mom," I began, "do I truly not even have a moment's reprieve?"

That post-nuptial agreement, just one clause, stipulated that my marriage to Evan Patton would be devoid of emotion, allowing for no buffer. Yet, many marriages in our circle, even without emotion, allowed for separate lives. This felt like a declaration that I was entering a cold, freedomless tomb.

"Eleanor, youve had your fun all these years. Its enough."

"But never mind."

The words caught in my throat. I had wanted to ask Mother, even if I knew I had no choice, couldn't she avoid stripping away reality so starkly and repeatedly declaring that my future would be bleak? But if I had asked, I knew I wouldnt be understood. Mother would only find me naive and foolish.

"This alliance with the Patton family is because times are changing too rapidly. Our Thorne family, though having significant influence in traditional industries, hasn't fully entered the new sectors, and most of that in Port Royale is controlled by the Pattons."

"Eleanor, you must understand the purpose of this alliance: either to gain resources from the Pattons information technology sector, or to leverage your identity as Mrs. Patton during the marriage to develop the Thorne familys own segment. As for other matters, like that infidelity clause"

A flicker of disdain and coldness crossed Mother's eyes. "It might seem like a question of your character, but whos to say it isnt"

"Them shooting themselves in the foot."

Mother patted my hand reassuringly, then thoughtfully rose and returned to her bedroom. On the empty floor, I stared at my toes, unable to collect myself. Mothers words brought back Evan Pattons moralizing demeanor. What was he so proud of? What did he mean by pretending to be a superior being to control me? Did he have no emotions? Could he guarantee hed never slip up?

Taking a deep breath, a faint competitive urge stirred within me. I stopped dwelling on what this alliance would bring me. The Thorne family was both my refuge and my honor. Now, it was my duty to do what was necessary for them.