Dumped for the Fake Heiress, I Married Her Nightmare

Tags: True Heiress, Total Regret, Unfair Favoritism, Heartache Five years. That was how long it took for the kidnappers to dump me back at the Hayes estate. It happened to be the wedding day of my ex-fiancé, Carter Hayes, and the fake heiress, Hailey. No one welcomed me. They probably assumed I’d been tortured to death years ago. Seeing me alive was just an inconvenience. My parents glared at me, their eyes full of warning. "Since you’re back, stay in line. Don't you dare bully Hailey!" Carter stood at the altar, his fingers tightly intertwined with Hailey’s. He barked at me, his voice sharp with irritation: "Evelyn, don’t cause a scene! You and I are over. Hailey is my fiancée now." Listening to him, I only found it absurd. "Five years ago, you left me behind as a hostage overseas. Didn't you promise you'd come get me the very next day?" Silence. No one answered. Sensibly, I stopped asking. I walked over, pulled out a chair, and waved dismissively at the frozen officiant. "Ignore me. Keep going." "I’ll be gone in three days anyway. I won't be an eyesore for long." They didn’t believe me. Their eyes were still loaded with disgust and suspicion. Until three days later, when I truly vanished into thin air, reemerging as Sebastian Kane’s bride. That was when my parents panicked, and Carter lost his mind. They grabbed my hands, screaming that they were going to save me from the monster's den. I hid blankly behind Sebastian, watching as he pressed the barrel of his gun against Carter’s forehead. "My wife underwent a memory erasure procedure because her past was too painful to bear." "To her, you're nothing more than disrespectful strangers. Now, will you get lost, or do I make you?" The moment I sat down, security guards surrounded me in dead silence. Afraid I'd ruin everything, my parents flanked me on both sides, hissing in hushed tones: "Today is Hailey and Carter’s wedding. Don’t cause trouble. What happened back then... your father and I are sorry, but we had no choice." "Now that you’re back, we’ll give you some money as compensation." I nodded, offering no argument. I picked up my fork and began picking at the food. On stage, the trembling officiant had no choice but to awkwardly resume the ceremony. Until I accidentally dropped my fork. Clatter. The entire hall fell dead silent. Countless gossiping, expectant eyes locked onto me, waiting for me to explode and throw a tantrum. My parents shot to their feet in panic. Carter didn’t even bother finishing his vows—he stepped forward instantly, shielding Hailey behind his back. "Evelyn, if you lay a single finger on Hailey, I’ll have security throw you out right now!" I actually wanted to explain. Five years ago, the only reason I’d ever touched Hailey was because I caught her secretly recording me in the shower, planning to leak the video online. But I knew none of them would believe me. So I simply stood up, offered a polite, shallow bow to the room, and spoke calmly. "Sorry for the interruption. Could someone bring me a clean fork?" "Please, carry on. I wish you both a long and happy marriage." With that, I sat back down in quiet indifference. That was the first time Carter truly looked at me. I was different now. I had lost so much weight I looked gaunt, my temper was gone, and the eyes that once looked at him with endless adoration were dead. When my gaze casually brushed over him, it held nothing. Just a detached glance before looking down again. My parents exchanged uneasy glances, sensing that something was wrong. This wasn’t what they had expected. I was supposed to scream, throw things, and tear this wedding apart. Only then could they comfort their guilty consciences: *See? We were right to listen to Hailey back then and not pay her ransom. Leaving her abroad really tamed her wild temper.* Only in that moment did the guilt soften their eyes. I didn’t care. I kept my head down, eating quietly. Sebastian was worried my severe depression would worsen, so he had already arranged a top specialist to wipe my traumatic memories in three days. Coming back here was just my way of saying goodbye. After all, the next time we crossed paths, we would be absolute strangers. After the toasts were done, Carter and Hailey finally came over and sat at the table. After a long, suffocating silence, Carter spoke first: "Evelyn... these past five years, have you been okay?"My fork froze mid-air. I looked up at him. Okay? Not even close. I had been crawling through hell, suffering every waking second. Yet when I parted my lips, all that came out was: "I’ve been fine." I reached back out to cut my food. My sleeve slid back slightly, exposing a gaunt, skeletal forearm. It was covered in a horrifying patchwork of old and new scars—some from blade cuts, others from burns, glaring under the banquet chandeliers. My mother’s eyes instantly welled with tears. Carter turned pale as a ghost and instinctively reached across the table to grab my hand. I pulled away before he could touch me, looking up with a mild warning: "Eat your food, Carter." "You and Hailey must be starving." Carter froze, staring at me with wide eyes, stunned by my distant tone. Then Hailey burst into tears. "It’s all my fault... If I hadn’t insisted on going to that neighborhood back then, Evelyn wouldn’t have been taken by those criminals for five years." "Can you ever forgive me?" The moment she cried, my parents and Carter immediately forgot all about me. They crowded around her, dabbing her tears with napkins and whispering gentle comforts. Carter frowned deeply, scowling at my cold demeanor. "Evelyn, Hailey is crying her heart out. Can't you comfort her a little?" My parents looked at me with reproach. I let out a tired sigh, pulled two tissues from the box, and gently dabbed Hailey’s tears. "Stop crying. I forgive you." I was so obedient it left everyone speechless. Even Hailey forgot to keep crying, staring at me blankly. "It’s getting late," I said softly. "You should go see off your guests." Snapping back to reality, they scrambled to their feet to greet the departing guests. I didn't follow. I stood in the shadow of a corner, quietly watching the four of them acting like a happy, picture-perfect family. I watched for a while, feeling that it was enough. I had seen them one last time. There was nothing left to regret. I turned to leave, but someone suddenly grabbed my wrist in a vice-like grip. It was Carter. "Evelyn, where are you going?" "Come back home with us to the Vance manor. I swear, from now on, we won’t let you suffer ever again!" My parents rushed over, nodding eagerly. "Yes, Evelyn. You’ve suffered so much out there. We just want to love you and make it up to you." I pretended to believe them and walked out to the car. When we reached the vehicle, Carter hesitated. Excluding the chauffeur, the Rolls-Royce could only seat four people comfortably. One person would have to be left out. Hailey spoke up meekly: "Dad, Mom, Carter... how about I take the security SUV behind us? Evelyn just got back, we can't..." They cut her off in unison: "The seats in that SUV are stiff as a rock, and the ride is too bumpy. You'll get sick, Hailey." "Exactly. What kind of family puts the bride in a security van?" None of them mentioned my name, yet every single pair of eyes shifted toward me. A bitter smile touched my lips. One second they swore they’d make it up to me; the next, I was the one tossed aside. Without saying a word, I walked over to the security SUV, pulled open the door, and got inside. When we arrived at the manor, I told them I wanted to head to my bedroom to rest. Hailey suddenly tugged at my sleeve, her voice trembling timidly: "I'm so sorry... While you were gone, I really loved the view from your room, so I turned it into my music room. You’ll have to stay in the guest bedroom for now. You're not mad at me, are you?" I looked at my parents. They gave awkward, guilty chuckles. "You were gone for so long, and Hailey loved the natural light in there..." "I can have the maids clear it out right now, but there's so much stuff. You won’t be able to move in until tomorrow." The faint, polite smile on my face vanished. Seeing my expression harden, Carter immediately stepped between us, terrified I would attack Hailey. He snapped defensively: "Evelyn, it’s just a bedroom! What are you throwing a fit for?" "Did five years overseas teach you nothing? If you lay a hand on Hailey, I swear—" My parents quietly shifted their weight, stepping beside Hailey to shield her. I felt a profound, bone-deep exhaustion wash over me. "Am I throwing a fit?" "Did I say a single word of objection?"They fell dead silent. Sighing softly, I turned and headed straight to the guest bedroom. Before bed, Carter knocked on my door. I was out on the balcony having a cigarette. Without looking back, I said, "Come in." Carter saw my silhouette through the haze of smoke and instantly scolded me: "When did you pick up smoking?" "It’s a disgusting habit. I don’t like it. Quit, immediately." I didn't argue. I turned around, exhaling a slow ring of smoke. "Do you need something?" Carter set a tray on the nightstand. "I brought you some warm milk." "Thanks. You can leave now." I turned back toward the dark night outside. Silence hung in the room for a moment before his voice sounded again: "Evelyn, are you blaming me?" "I had my reasons. Your parents were getting old, Hailey is timid, and Hayes Enterprises couldn’t survive without me. When push came to shove, you were the only one we could afford to leave behind. Besides, aren't you back now, safe and sound?" I said nothing, taking another slow drag of nicotine to numb my frayed nerves. Frustrated by my indifference, Carter marched over and stood right in front of me: "Evelyn, I know I shouldn’t have married Hailey without telling you. But my hands were tied! Hayes Enterprises has no international connections—I had no way to mount a rescue. Meanwhile, the corporate merger was urgent. I still have feelings for you, but what choice did I have?" He paused, taking my cold hand into his. "Give it some time. Once things settle down, I’ll divorce Hailey and give you the wedding we were supposed to have." I stubbed out the cigarette and finally looked at him. In the dim moonlight, Carter's face radiated a smug, self-righteous display of devotion. I laughed softly. "I don’t want it. I don’t love you anymore." Carter froze, clearly thinking I was just being petty. "You don't want me? Who else would want you?" "Everyone in high society knows you spent five years in the hands of brutal cartel thugs! We all know what happens to a woman in a place like that! I'm the only man who won't hold your ruined past against you, the only one willing to make you Mrs. Hayes. Isn't that enough compensation for you?" I ripped my hand from his grip, utterly repulsed. "I’m getting married." "No, you're not. I can’t marry you right this second." Carter frowned, completely failing to process my words. I clarified, "I'm not marrying you." Carter scoffed, consumed by his own delusions, his temper flaring: "Who else could you possibly marry? Some cartel warlord? I know you might have had to sell your body to survive and get released, but now that you're home, stop saying such disgusting lies just to get under my skin!" "Tomorrow morning, I'm telling your parents about the divorce. Think about what you really want!" He slammed the door on his way out. The next morning when I walked downstairs, quiet sobs echoed through the living room. Carter stood up as I entered, his face stern. "It’s settled. Later today, Hailey and I will file the divorce paperwork. Be on your best behavior from now on, and I'll marry you." "Consider it... my compensation for these past five years." My parents nodded along. "We're already putting poor Hailey through so much for you. You better drop this cold attitude." "You need to treat Hailey like a sister." Hailey stood up, bravely dabbing her tears, and took a step toward me. I opened my mouth to reject them, but out of the corner of my eye, I spotted movement. The moment Hailey stood, the bodyguard who had been standing behind her with his head down suddenly moved. In the blink of an eye, he pulled a hunting knife and locked his arm around Hailey’s neck. The blade bit into her pale skin, instantly drawing a thin line of blood. "Nobody move! Give me three million dollars right now, or she dies!" the man roared, his eyes wild with fury. My mother screamed in terror. Carter’s pupils shrank. He threw his hands into the air, his voice trembling: "Calm down! Please, don't hurt Hailey! Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you!"I stood rooted to the spot, watching the chaotic scene unfold. The screams, the glint of steel, the desperate threats... it was sickeningly familiar. Five years ago, when Hailey was taken, it happened exactly like this. Back then, what had Carter said? *"Take this woman instead! Hailey is just an adopted daughter, she’s not worth anything! Besides, she has a weak heart—if she gets traumatized, it'll become a murder charge! Take Evelyn instead, and I’ll get you the cash immediately, deal?"* History was repeating itself. Back then, he had shoved me forward, whispering in my ear: *"Be a good girl. Go swap places with Hailey. We’ll rescue you right away! Any minute now!"* That "minute" had lasted five years. Suddenly, a hard shove slammed into my back. Before I could react, someone threw me into the hostage taker's grasp, pulling Hailey away. The moment Hailey was safe, Carter and my parents breathed an audible sigh of relief, swarming her with comfort. "Three million is a lot of cash, we need time to withdraw it. Stay calm, we’re going to get the money right now." They ushered Hailey out of the room without once looking back. They left. Perhaps to brainstorm a plan, perhaps to call the cops. Whatever it was, none of them were in a hurry to save me. I stared at the man holding the knife against me. His hands were shaking. It was pathetic. "Did Hailey hire you?" I asked plainly. "Your acting is terrible." The man flinched, clearly stunned that I had seen through it. In that split-second hesitation, I struck. I seized his wrist with brutal precision, twisted his joint, and drove his own blade straight into his abdomen. *Stab!* A bloodcurdling scream tore from the man's throat as he collapsed onto the carpet, clutching his bleeding stomach. Dead silence blanketed the room. Everyone froze, staring at the dripping blade in my hand as if I were a terrifying stranger. Calmly, I pulled out my phone and dialed 911. "Hello, 911? There has been an armed robbery and assault. The address is..." Right then, Hailey panicked. Terrified that the truth would come out, she seized the chaos to sneak back toward the fallen man, desperate to silence him. Seeing her approach, the wounded man saw red. Furious, he whipped out a concealed folding knife from his pocket, lunging wildly at her. Hailey shrieked in terror. On instinct, she grabbed me—the nearest shield—and yanked me directly in front of her. I hadn’t expected the man to have a second blade, let alone that Hailey would pull me in front of it. *Thwack!* The sound of cold steel tearing into flesh. Hailey merely suffered a shallow scratch on her forearm. Meanwhile, a chilling numbness bloomed in my chest. The blade had driven straight into my left breast, right over my heart. I collapsed onto the floor, blood pooling beneath me as darkness crept into the edges of my vision. As my consciousness slipped away, I saw my parents rush forward, instantly helping Hailey up. Carter dropped to his knees beside her, desperately applying pressure to the tiny scratch on her arm, frantically soothing her: *"You’re safe now, Hailey, you’re okay..."* No one looked at me bleeding out on the floor. Only when the police and paramedics burst through the front doors did anyone realize I was dying. In the ambulance, Carter and my parents' voices drifted into my fading ears: "Who knew she’d turn into such a monster? Growing up around cartels turns people into vicious animals. Hailey said the guy wasn’t even planning to hurt anyone until Evelyn provoked him! Why couldn't she just stay put as a hostage? She almost got Hailey killed!" "Carter, you have to think carefully. A woman with blood on her hands... if she snaps one day, who could control her? Marrying her would be inviting a wolf into our home!" After a long silence, Carter made up his mind: "I know. I'll make sure the best surgeons operate on her." "Her body was already ruined by those thugs overseas. If her heart has turned rotten too... I won’t marry her." I closed my eyes. A warm, metallic liquid welled up in my throat, choking my lungs. Blood. My vision plunged into total blackness. "Blood?! What’s happening... Why is there so much blood?!" "Don't sleep! Evelyn, look at me! Don't you dare close your eyes! Do you hear me?!" "Doctor! Doctor!" ... The red light outside the ICU stayed on all night. They had never imagined my wounds would be fatal. No one dared bring up how "vicious" I was anymore. When the second critical condition notice was handed down, Carter finally murmured in a broken voice: "If the thugs out there were that ruthless... if Evelyn hadn't fought back with equal ruthlessness... would she have survived those five years at all?" My parents said nothing, burying their faces deeper into their hands. At 5:20 AM, I was finally stabilized and transferred to an intensive recovery room. Before Carter and my parents could catch their breath, a frantic, hysterical woman broke through the hospital security. She grabbed Carter by his collar, screaming like a lunatic: "Where is my son?! Your wife, Hailey, hired my son to put on a show!" "She promised it was just a fake kidnapping! Why did the police arrest him?!" Not far away, the nurse assigned to my room ran toward them in sheer panic, her voice screeching: "Code blue! The patient is gone! Miss Vance has been taken!"