Part 1He Proposed After I Married His Dad

Three years after marrying my husband, his adopted son came to propose to me.

“Stella, Willow saved my life, and now that she has the dignity of a wealthy wife, I've come to marry you and make you my true wife.”

I couldn’t be bothered to respond, but Julian Vance didn't give up.

“You proposed to me 99 times back then, I know deep down you only see me as your husband.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll pick you up in seven days for our wedding. After that, the three of us will be one big family.”

I lifted my hand and slammed the door in his face.

How ridiculous.

I had just given Arthur, Julian’s father, a little brother, and Arthur had specifically brought me back to the country to hold a belated wedding ceremony.

I never expected to run into this disgusting person again.

Well, good.

Seven days later, fifty-year-old Arthur agreed to announce me as his heir at the wedding.

That way, it would save Julian the trouble of having to call me 'Mom.'

Julian blocked the door, a smile playing in his eyes:

“Your temper is still as fiery as it was back then, no one could ever push you around.”

Then he changed his tone, his voice softening.

“Willow is different from you; she’s delicate and can’t handle gossip. In front of outsiders, you should call her Mrs. Vance.”

“Even though I can’t give you the same grand wedding as Willow, in my heart, both of you are the most important people to me.”

“I, Julian Vance, will either never marry, or if I do, I’ll marry both you and Willow.”

Perhaps I’d seen too much of the world abroad, because I actually listened patiently to this preposterous declaration.

“Julian, you weren’t the only one I had an arranged marriage prospect with back then. What makes you think I haven’t married someone else?”

Julian’s eyes gleamed with pride.

“You proposed to me 99 times back then; the whole city knew you were madly in love with me.”

“Besides, we grew up together. Who in our circle would dare propose to *my* woman?”

Julian’s voice deepened, imbued with arrogant superiority.

“Stella, you’re too proud to accept me marrying you after having Willow, but your mother’s medical treatment is urgent.”

“I know you’re tight on cash since the Sterling family went bankrupt. Just marry me, and I’ll bring in the top neurosurgeon from the Vance family to treat your mother.”

I clenched my fists.

Did he still think I was the helpless orphan he used to bully?

Three years ago, on the day of my wedding with Julian.

Willow Carter posted a photo on her SnapChat of her holding hands with some random guy at the church entrance.

The caption read, “If it wasn't for you, I’d marry anyone else.”

Julian saw it and went crazy, determined to run from the wedding.

I desperately blocked his path.

“Julian, my mother’s brain cancer has worsened. The only Vance family doctor who can save her only treats family members. Please, just finish the wedding, then you can leave.”

My desperate plea was met with Julian looking at me with a clueless expression, saying,

“Willow saved my life, I can’t let her sacrifice her happiness.”

“Your mother treats me like her own son; she won’t mind.”

“You can just wait until I marry Willow, and then in a few years, I’ll make you my wife too. It’ll be the same.”

The night Julian ran from the wedding, I stood in front of Arthur Vance’s car, begging him for a chance.

Since then, I focused entirely on saving my mother, not caring for fame or fortune, quietly working as Arthur’s shadow.

Yet, without realizing it, I slowly found my way into his heart.

“I heard that for the past three years, you often returned to the old house where we lived together. You don’t need to say it, I know you’ve always missed me.”

Julian had a smug, ‘I know everything’ look on his face.

I was so angry I laughed.

That old house was the wedding home my mother had designed for me. After she passed, I often stayed there because I missed her.

I never thought Julian would misunderstand it as me still having feelings for him.

I couldn’t hold back anymore and slammed the door right in his face.

“Get out!”

From behind the closed door, Julian’s nonchalant chuckle echoed.

“I know you’re deeply in love with me. I’ll be on time at the cathedral in seven days to exchange vows with you.”

I immediately called the patrolling security guard.

“Blacklist this stalker. Don’t let him into the complex again.”

Shaking off my irritation, I went to work as usual.

Passing the breakroom, I saw Julian passionately kissing Willow Carter.

Julian looked annoyed and arrogant.

“You’re already struggling financially, why waste money hiring someone to track me? I told you I’d marry you, and I won’t go back on my word.”

“Outside, Willow is my Mrs. Vance. Now hurry up and leave, don’t make things difficult for me.”

“Look closely, this is my employee ID.”

I pointed in front of me.

Julian didn't react to the ID, but when he saw the diamond ring on my finger, his expression changed.

His voice trembled.

“You couldn’t possibly afford a ring that’s been to auction.”

“Stella, do you have another man?”