Rejected Fiancée, Billionaire's Precious Wife

"I gave you every part of me. Why won't you just leave Natalie?" the woman murmured, her voice ragged with desire. Half-naked, she straddled the man beneath her, their breaths mingling in the charged air.

"Don't say her name during sex," he rasped, his hands gripping her hips with a rough, fevered intensity.

A bitter, frustrated laugh escaped her. "You have to be kidding me. She's nothing special. She isn't even my real family-just some stray we took in."

The man said nothing, his answer delivered not in words but in the driving force of his body. The bed groaned under their combined weight, their breaths colliding in a storm of raw physicality.

On the other side of the door, Natalie Quinn stood frozen. Her fingers trembled on the handle. Bile rose in her throat as muffled moans sliced through the corridor's oppressive silence.

She had just come home from the hospital.

Hannah, the woman who had cared for her since her childhood, was battling end-stage cirrhosis.

Three months ago, the doctors had declared a transplant her only hope. Since then, Natalie had been working herself to the bone, scrambling to raise the money for the operation.

And now this. Her sister-Cassie-was in bed with the man she loved.

Her entire world was shattering.

"Do you hear me, Steve?" Cassie hissed, her eyes burning with impatience as she struck his bare chest. "You decide tonight. It's her or me!"

The door flew open as Natalie kicked it in. Her icy gaze landed on the couple tangled in the sheets.

"No need to choose," she said, her voice deceptively calm, yet sharp enough to cut. "You can keep him."

Beneath that veneer of indifference, her heart was splintering, a scream building in her chest.

Steve Carter-her college classmate, the man she had loved since they were students.

An image flashed in her mind: the campus courtyard, the day he'd proposed in front of everyone.

He had promised her forever, and she, blushing, had accepted. The sound of the crowd's applause still echoed in her memory.

Now, it was just another cruel joke.

Her fists clenched, nails digging into her palms. Rage and pain blurred into a single, searing wave.

Steve shoved Cassie away and scrambled to his feet, fumbling for his pants.

Cassie stumbled, nearly falling before righting herself, her cheeks burning with humiliation.

She couldn't stand this. After months of effort to seduce the wealthy, sought-after man, her adoptive sister was stealing her moment.

Natalie. The family's eternal outsider, the foundling they barely tolerated.

"Who do you think you are?" Cassie spat, clutching the blanket to her chest. "You think you're dumping him? Wake up! He's the one who threw you away, you pathetic fool!"

She whipped her head toward Steve, a taunt in her eyes. "Tell her, Steve. Tell her what you just told me!"

Steve remained silent. It had all been a mistake-a moment of weakness.

Cassie had come onto him, provoked him, and he hadn't been strong enough to resist.

Drowning in shame, he stepped forward and reached for Natalie's hand. "Forgive me, Natalie... I didn't mean to... I don't know what came over me."

She stared at him, her eyes swimming with unshed tears, but her gaze was glacial. Nothing could make her go back. What he had broken was irreparable.

Natalie gently pulled her hand from his grasp, her voice trembling but resolute.

"I'm sorry, Steve. Everything about you and Cassie disgusts me. You're perfect for each other. We're done."

Cassie froze, stunned.

Steve looked like he was about to collapse, but Natalie showed no sign of grief.

A cold light hardened her eyes. What coursed through her wasn't pain, but an icy fury-the anger of hope being extinguished without a flicker.

Cassie had always taken pleasure in stealing what Natalie loved-childhood toys, their parents' attention, and now, the man she was supposed to marry. Over the years, Natalie had grown used to it.

She had other priorities now. Hannah, the only real family she had, was fading with each passing day.

As she turned to leave, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the corridor.

"What now, at this hour?" she murmured to herself.

The footsteps grew closer, and then George Quinn, followed by his wife Lauren Duncan, burst into the room.

When George saw Cassie wrapped in a duvet, clearly naked underneath, he froze for a beat before his face contorted with rage.

"Cassie!" he roared. "You're engaged! How dare you disgrace yourself with another man?"

With a calculated sob, Cassie threw herself into her adoptive father's arms, her eyes red and her jaw tight.

For years, the Quinns and the Kleins had an arrangement to marry their children. But Cassie's intended was an illegitimate son, cast out by his own family and living in poverty. Arrogant and ambitious, Cassie couldn't stand the thought of being tied to him.

"I'm pregnant," she announced, her voice ringing with defiance as she pointed at Steve. "I'm carrying his child. There's no way I'm marrying someone else."

The color drained from Steve's face. The revelation stole his breath. Could their few nights together have actually led to this?

"This is madness!" George thundered. "You'll marry a Klein-I don't care which one!"

He was seething with shame. How could he possibly explain this scandal to the Klein family?

Lauren stepped forward, her tone gentle but firm. She had always defended her daughter, turning a blind eye to her every fault.

"George, calm down," she said, lifting her chin. "Why put this all on Cassie? Natalie is part of this family, too. She can marry the Klein son in Cassie's place."

Silence descended, thick and heavy. The words struck Natalie like a physical blow.

George and Lauren had been childless for the first few years of their marriage and, pressured by their elders, had adopted her. A few years later, Lauren finally gave birth to Cassie.

From that day on, Natalie became a shadow in the house-a living reminder of Lauren's past infertility and a constant target for her resentment.

Yet Natalie had surpassed Cassie in everything: her studies, her behavior, her reputation. The more Natalie shone, the more Lauren hated her.

"You promised Cassie to the Klein family, not me!" Natalie shot back, her voice sharp. "Why should I have to pay for her mistakes?"

A cruel smile twisted Lauren's lips. "We fed you, housed you, and raised you. It's time you returned the favor. Hannah needs that operation, doesn't she? If you marry that boy, we'll pay for all of it."

A look of malicious triumph spread across Cassie's face.

Rage surged in Natalie's throat, hot and suffocating. But the doctor's warning echoed in her mind: without treatment, Hannah didn't have long. And as a recent graduate with no money, there was nothing she could do to save her.

Hannah, the Quinns' old housekeeper, had been more than a maid to her. She was the only person in the world who had ever truly loved her. She couldn't let her die.

Lauren placed a hand on her shoulder in a gesture of false tenderness.

"You have to marry someone eventually. Why not now? The moment the ceremony is over, you'll have the money."

Natalie's legs nearly gave way. The weight of their stares pressed down on her. She thought of Hannah, of her shallow breaths and her wrinkled, gentle hands.

Tears welled in her eyes, blurring the faces of her tormentors. Her voice was a broken whisper when she finally spoke.

"Fine... I'll marry him."

A few days later, Natalie stood in a small suburban church, clad in a plain white dress.

Today was her wedding day.

She was marrying a man she had never even met.

She couldn't spare a single cent for a wedding gown. All her money had gone toward the hospital bills for Hannah's surgery. So instead of a luxurious outfit, she made do with a simple, inexpensive dress, a small bouquet of white flowers, and a silk ribbon tied in her hair. Yet it made her an almost girlish air.

The pews were awkwardly empty, the silence echoing through the space. The groom still hadn't shown up. Only a few guests whispered amongst themselves.

"Don't worry, he's probably just held up in traffic," George said, trying to reassure her.

Natalie nodded, unable to ease the anxiety tightening in her chest.

The man she was about to marry was named Sebastian Klein. His reputation preceded him: lazy and aimless, keeping company with shady characters, and living off schemes and idleness.

The thought of binding her life to his sent a chill of dread through her. Yet she had no other choice.

Lauren, elegant in a lavender dress, surveyed the nearly empty church with a displeased pout. Her light makeup only accentuated her perfect features, and she naturally drew every eye.

"This is strange... Why hasn't the groom's family arrived yet?" She murmured irritably.

But Natalie couldn't have cared less about their absence. Her thoughts were fixed on Hannah, lying in a hospital bed, suspended between life and death.

She leaned toward Lauren, her voice low.

"Promise me you'll give me the money the second the ceremony is over."

That money was for the surgery. It was the reason she had sworn to her adoptive parents that she would go through with this marriage.

Lauren's smile was strained.

"Honestly, Natalie, you're being exhausting. We're family. I told you you'll get it. Can't you trust me for once?"

Beneath her soft tone was a sharp edge of irritation.

Just then, the church doors swung open.

Cassie made her entrance on a cloud of cloying perfume, her flashy jewelry glinting as she clung to her boyfriend's arm. Her arrogant smirk was a stark contrast to the bride's simplicity.

She sauntered toward Lauren and George with a studied nonchalance, clearly relishing the discomfort her presence caused. Cassie had stolen the man Natalie loved-a rich man-and helped force her into this miserable union with the Kleins' illegitimate son.

Seeing Natalie so fragile in her pale dress now, Steve, Cassie's boyfriend, felt a sharp pang in his chest. A flicker of painful remorse crossed his gaze.

All of this was his fault. One reckless night had shattered a love he'd believed was eternal. And now Natalie, the one who should have been his, was about to tie her life to another man.

He had sworn he wouldn't come to the ceremony. But Cassie had all but dragged him up the church steps, her grip on his arm fierce. He couldn't say no to her, not when he knew she was carrying his child.

From the moment he spotted Natalie, Steve couldn't tear his eyes away. He was a prisoner of her beauty, caught by the too-vivid memory of what they'd had. Cassie, beside him, was seething, her rage building as she watched his gaze fix on the woman she hated with every fiber of her being.

The years had erased nothing: the spotlight always seemed to find Natalie. Every gesture, every smile, effortlessly captured attention. Cassie, meanwhile, felt forever stuck in that shadow-the one cast by Natalie's grace.

The jealousy was a bitter acid in her gut. She suddenly snapped.

"Do you want me to claw your eyes out, Steve? What the hell does that bitch have that I don't? Why are you devouring her with your eyes?"

Then, her voice laced with venom, she added for all to hear, "Anyway, where is the groom? Late to his own wedding. What a joke. So reliable, right? Even his family couldn't be bothered to show up. They must be so ashamed of him. Poor things."

At home, Cassie was treated like a spoiled queen, her every whim indulged. She had never been taught restraint. But here, in the tense quiet of the church, her vulgarity was a spectacle. The whispers among the guests grew, a rising tide of gossip.

Natalie, who had been silent until now, took a small step forward. She lifted the hem of her dress slightly, and her clear, steady voice cut through the murmurs.

"Cassie, that's enough. This is a church. Watch your words. Where are the manners you were taught?"

Cassie froze. Her sister had never, ever spoken to her with such firmness. The image of the docile, patient Natalie she was used to walking all over had just shattered.

A heavy silence fell over the pews. And then, the large double doors at the back of the church swung open with a long, drawn-out creak.

A man stood silhouetted in the doorway, tall and straight, framed by the blinding light from outside. The sun carved his figure with an almost unreal precision.

He moved forward slowly, his steps measured. He fastened the button on his suit jacket and smoothed a hand over the fabric, as if brushing off the dust from a long journey. His dark gaze swept over the attendance with quiet authority, and then he lifted his head.

The light caught his face, revealing features of such disturbing perfection. The air in the room seemed to stand still. It felt as if every breath had fallen into rhythm with his steps. In that moment, it was as if no one else in the church existed and there was only him.

All eyes snapped to the man, drawn by the quiet confidence that radiated from him. He carried an innate elegance, an aura that seemed impossible to tarnish.

Cassie's eyes lit with a mixture of curiosity and admiration. She knew at once: this had to be one of Sebastian's brothers. The Klein family dominated high society, their name both influential and feared. Compared to this, Sebastian, the illegitimate son, was nothing. The man before her radiated a noble presence. He had to be the true heir.

The stranger's good looks were deeply unsettling. His presence alone made the air feel thin, unsteady.

Beside her, Steve suddenly looked plain, almost coarse.

Cassie took a hesitant step forward, attempting a smile.

"Are you Sebastian's brother?" she asked softly.

When their eyes met, her cheeks instantly flushed.

"Well... the groom's family isn't here yet. You can have a seat. The ceremony won't be starting for a little while."

She was desperate to keep the conversation going, maybe even ask for his number, but the gravity of the occasion held her back.

The man paid her no mind. Without a word, he strode right past Cassie, his focus entirely on Natalie.

Heat flooded Cassie's face-pure shame. Her confidence evaporated, leaving a silent, simmering rage in its place. She stalked back to her seat, fists clenched, only to freeze when she saw the handsome stranger take the seat right next to Natalie. The truth hit her like a physical blow-that man himself was the groom Sebastian.

She blinked, stunned.

"Th-that's impossible. How can Sebastian be so attractive?" she murmured.

She leaned toward her mother, whispering through clenched teeth, "Mom, why didn't you ever show me a picture of him? If I'd known he looked like that, I never would have let him marry Natalie instead of me."

Lauren sighed, her voice weary.

"Cassie, you still don't get it. One day, you'll learn that good looks don't pay the bills. Sebastian has nothing. No career, no ambition, no future. He's a nobody. Perfect for Natalie. They will just disappear into obscurity together."

Cassie turned her head away, stung, but said nothing. What she couldn't stand was the thought of her cousin marrying a man with that kind of magnetism, like a movie star.

Meanwhile, Sebastian had reached Natalie. He met her gaze calmly.

"Sorry I'm late. I had a few things to take care of."

"It's fine," she replied, her tone flat.

She couldn't care less about his excuses. The only thing that mattered was that he was handsome. It made the whole situation slightly less bitter.

As she turned away, a glint of light on Sebastian's wrist caught her eye. A Patek Philippe. The light danced across its complex dial.

Natalie wasn't wealthy, but she recognized luxury when she saw it. That particular model was worth a fortune-at least a million dollars.

She froze, her brow furrowing.

She'd been told Sebastian was a man of modest means, with no fortune or status to his name. That was the whole reason he'd been chosen for her. So how could he be wearing something so impossibly expensive?

Doubt flickered in her eyes. Who was this man she was about to marry?

Sebastian didn't miss the frown that creased her brow. He followed her gaze to his wrist and understood immediately. Leaning closer, he murmured, "It's a replica.

Borrowed from a friend. Just for this wedding. Never thought anyone would look so closely."

An amused glint in his eye, he immediately unclasped the watch and slipped it into his pocket.

"It could have fooled me," Natalie said, pulling back slightly, a faint blush on her cheeks.

As he moved closer again, his breath brushed her ear.

On second thought, it made sense. A man like him would have connections, people who could get their hands on a good replica. For a second, she'd worried the money was from something illegal. The thought had sent a chill down her spine. Realizing that wasn't the case, she let out a quiet sigh of relief.

Sebastian, for his part, watched her, a mix of curiosity and disbelief in his eyes. He'd heard the rumors about the Quinn girl-that she was a party animal with a string of lovers. This quiet, reserved woman didn't match those stories at all.

Just then, a woman's voice cut through the quiet, light but firm.

"The groom is here. Why hasn't the ceremony started?"

Cassie immediately stepped forward, radiant, holding her boyfriend's arm.

"Since everyone's here," she announced, her voice dripping with false confidence, "let me introduce my boyfriend. This is Steve Carter, eldest son of the Carter family. Our families are forming a powerful alliance. Who knows, you might need a favor from us one day."

Steve ducked his head, looking like he wanted the floor to swallow him whole.

Seeing him, Natalie felt nothing.

She put on a detached air and replied with biting calm, "Charming. Isn't that a new girl since last week? You go through them so fast, I can barely keep up. I wonder who it'll be next week."

Steve froze, his smile twisting into a grimace. Stung, Cassie shot Natalie a venomous look before forcing a laugh.

"Well, if you'd like, I could put in a word for Sebastian at the Carter family's company. I'm sure they could find something for a man with no qualifications. Sweeping floors, scrubbing toilets... It's better than having no job, right?"

Natalie's heart tightened. She shot a worried glance at Sebastian. But he remained perfectly calm, the hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"That's a kind offer," he replied with an easy nonchalance, "but I'm fine on my own."

Cassie swallowed her anger, grabbing Steve by the arm and storming back to her seat, her face a mask of stone.

Soon after, the officiant arrived, and the entire ceremony was over in a matter of minutes.

When it was done, Sebastian drove Natalie to a small house on the outskirts of town. The place had clearly seen better days, with peeling paint on the walls and a roof that sagged in spots. Inside, however, it was meticulously clean. It felt as though someone had hastily prepared it, just for show.

Sebastian seemed too large for the narrow space, completely out of place. It was clear he lived a modest, perhaps even precarious, life, but he carried himself without a trace of shame.

"This is our home. It's not much, but it's all I have," he said simply.

Natalie nodded.

"It's small, but it's clean. We'll make it work."

And she meant it. Despite the disrepair, the house had a sense of order and simplicity. The garden outside, though small, was well-tended. It was a place that had been cared for, but it lacked a soul.

Sebastian shrugged off his jacket, draping it over a wooden chair before starting on the buttons of his shirt. The fabric pulled taut across his powerful shoulders.

Natalie quickly looked away, but her eyes were drawn back to him against her will.

He paused, catching her gaze, and then moved closer.

"You must be exhausted," he murmured. "Why don't you take a shower and get some rest?"

His low, steady voice did something to her, stirring a feeling deep inside that she couldn't quite name.