Rejected Fiancée, Billionaire's Precious Wife

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.