Chapter 1

A month after I got out of prison, my fiancée married my adopted brother.

On the day of the wedding, my entire family stood nervously outside the banquet hall. Even after the ceremony started, they didn't move an inch.

They weren't there because they felt bad for me. They were just terrified that I would suddenly show up and ruin everything.

My mother paced back and forth anxiously. "The butler said he left the house half an hour ago..."

My father barked orders at the security guards. "Keep your eyes peeled. If he dares to show his face today, break his legs immediately!"

My older sister, Serena, watched with cold eyes. "I've already made arrangements. If he tries anything, I have a way to throw him back in a cell for another few years."

But the wedding ended, and I never showed up.

Instead, I received a text from Selene.

"Stop being dramatic. I only married Ian for a while to help with his clinical depression. Once he's better, I'll have another wedding with you."

She said it without a shred of guilt or regret.

My family didn't know that I had no intention of causing a scene.

At that moment, I was attending a high-level classified meeting.

In seven days, my legal identity would be erased.

I would be heading to a research station in Antarctica.

In this life, we would never meet again.

1：

When I finally walked into the house, the celebration was already in full swing.

Ian and Selene were the center of attention.

Selene leaned her head on Ian's shoulder, a sweet smile plastered on her face.

My father looked at them with a doting grin. "Seeing you two finally joined in marriage is a dream come true for your mother and me."

"He's nothing like Silas. That boy is nothing but a headache! It's this late, and he still hasn't shown his face!"

The moment he mentioned my name, his eyes filled with disgust and contempt.

I still remember the night Ian killed someone in a drunk driving accident.

My mother clutched her chest, her eyes red from crying. "Silas, I'm begging you. Ian has depression. He won't survive in a place like prison."

My usually stern father almost pleaded with me. "I can't let your Uncle Miller down. Son, just do this one favor for me."

Serena bit her lip while holding a fainting Ian in her arms. "Don't worry. I'll take care of Mom and Dad."

Even my fiancée, Selene, grabbed my hand with eyes full of sincerity. "Silas, don't worry. I'll wait for you to come back."

They begged me with such heartbreak. Eventually, my mother even threatened to end her own life if I didn't agree.

Left with no choice, I took the fall for Ian and was sentenced to three years.

After getting out, I thought my sacrifice would earn me gratitude and love.

But on my first day back, I realized everything had changed.

It was as if they had forgotten everything I did for them. They looked at me with nothing but coldness and loathing.

Dirty, criminal, useless, evil...

Each sharp word pierced my heart like a needle.

They were ashamed of my record. They felt I was a stain on the Sterling family name.

"Brother, why are you just standing there? Come in!"

Ian was the first to notice me, and he intentionally raised his voice.

Instantly, the laughter stopped. Every pair of eyes in the room locked onto me.