The Man Who Took His Place

In the tenth year after I had married in his place, my brother, Thayer Ashford, suddenly returned.

The whole family fell silent as they looked at him.

He yawned as he spoke with careless ease, “I traveled through thirteen countries. I’m exhausted.

“Where’s Seraphina? She should be in primary school by now, right? Why hasn’t she come to see me?”

Seraphina was Thayer’s daughter.

Back then, Thayer had abruptly announced he had a child.

Yet on the very day of his wedding, he staged his own death, leaving behind Seraphina and his fiancée, Isolde Fairchild.

The Fairchilds belonged to the old-money elite of the city.

My parents did not dare offend them, so they decided to package me—fresh out of graduation—and send me to the wedding in Thayer’s place.

Over these ten years, I became a competent husband and a responsible father.

As my parents watched Thayer’s brazen composure, their gazes shifted toward me.

I gave them a faint smile.

“Sera went to Novaforge with Isolde.”

At my words, my brother, Thayer Ashford’s brows drew together, and he spoke with clear displeasure, “Didn’t I say in advance that I was coming home? Didn’t you tell Isolde I’d be back?”

I calmly took a sip of the tea in my hand.

Years had tempered me and I was no longer the invisible younger brother living in his shadow.

My silence completely infuriated Thayer.

He shot to his feet, his voice sharp as it rang out.

“What do you mean by that, Caspian? Don’t forget that the one engaged to the Fairchilds was me.

“Now that I’m back, do you really think you can keep sitting in the position of their son-in-law?”

I glanced at him and smiled.

“I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Isolde and I have a very good relationship.”

Over the years, I accompanied Isolde to countless charity galas and social engagements.

Our reputation as a loving couple had spread throughout our circle.

With the image of a harmonious family, Isolde had earned the favor of many business partners.

Perhaps there was no romantic love between us, but we shared something more steadfast than affection, we shared mutual interest.

That was also the source of my confidence.

Thayer’s expression twisted in disbelief.

“Have you no shame? That’s your sister-in-law!” Thayer shouted.

I set down my teacup and smiled, neither servile nor overbearing.

“No. We are legally married.”

My gaze steady, I rose to my feet, unwilling to continue this farce.

Our parents stood to the side, looking utterly at a loss.

Thayer suddenly strode over and grabbed Mom’s sleeve.

“Mom, Caspian’s gone crazy!

“Isolde and I were already together back in university! If it weren’t for me—if it weren’t for the Fairchilds—how could our company have grown this big?”

Our parents had always favored Thayer.

Yet now, Mom stole a glance at me, her voice soft and uncertain.

“But… you ran away from the wedding. You even faked your death. All these years, you didn’t send a single word.

“At the time, there was no groom at the ceremony. If not for Caspian stepping in, the Fairchilds would have been humiliated. They wouldn’t have let it go and our company would have been finished!”

Thayer’s face stiffened.

“I… I just wasn’t ready to get married back then,” he stammered.

“But I’ve come back now, haven’t I?

“Besides, you know how arrogant the Fairchilds are. They never thought much of us to begin with.

“And I would’ve been marrying into their family. If I’d gone through with it, wouldn’t I have been bullied?”

My gaze turned cold as I asked, “Then why did you come back now?”

Thayer answered as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“Now that the Fairchilds have accepted you, they’ll definitely accept me too. Isn’t this perfect?

“I’ll marry into Isolde’s family now, and they won’t treat me too badly. Sera can finally meet her real father. This is good for everyone.”

With that, he stepped forward in two quick strides and seized my hand, looking at me with earnest sincerity.

“You’re free now, Caspian. You can go and find your own happiness.”

I looked at his eyes without expression.

Those clear, dark eyes carried the innocence born of a lifetime of indulgence and favor, an innocence so pure it was almost cruel.

He believed, with complete certainty, that I was meant to sacrifice everything for him.

I let out a cold laugh and pulled my hand free.

“I’m very satisfied with my life as it is. Thayer, you’re the one who needs to face reality.”

With that, I turned and walked away from that loveless house.