Reborn To Marry Her Cousin

Start Reading

In my past life, I swore I would never marry anyone but Lyra Vance. I endured eight years of misery just to get that marriage certificate.

During our forty years together, the only time Lyra let me touch her was the day Zane died.

She looked into my eyes and sobbed, asking me why I had to marry her. She blamed me for the loss of her true love.

After she died, I found a house full of love letters she had hidden. They were everywhere.

Every single one began with the same words My dearest Zane.

Half a lifetime of self-deception finally shattered in that moment.

In this life, I will never chase her again.

But when I took her cousin's hand instead, Lyra went insane, begging me to come back to her.

1.

"Dad, I've made up my mind. I want to change the Vance family merger partner to Elara Vance."

My father's voice on the other end was filled with surprise.

"Fine. If that is your decision, I will handle the arrangements," he said.

After hanging up, I started packing my things.

This house was filled with memories of Lyra and me. Or rather, what I thought were memories.

In reality, there was nothing to prove we even had a relationship.

No photos, no matching clothes, nothing a normal couple would have.

All that existed was my one-sided obsession for the past six years.

I had held on even when everyone else looked down on me.

But after being reborn, I am done. I won't waste another second on this pointless love.

Today was supposed to be our eighth anniversary.

Lyra actually came home at noon, which was rare.

When she saw there was no hot meal waiting for her, her face darkened.

"What have you been doing all day?" she snapped. "I finally come home, and you haven't even made lunch?"

I kept packing my bags and spoke coldly.

"I didn't have time."

Lyra's face turned pale with anger as she walked over to stop me.

"We're about to get married! Why are you packing?" she demanded. "What kind of tantrum is this now?"

I glanced at her. In her eyes, everything I did was just a temper tantrum.

I was surprised she mentioned marriage.

In my past life, I begged her countless times, and she always refused. Now, she was bringing it up herself.

She looked away, sounding annoyed.

"My family's company needs you. But listen, the wedding is just for show. I won't actually sign the marriage papers with you."

I caught something in her tone. Why would she need me now?

Could it be that Lyra had also been reborn?

I pulled my hand away from her grip. "There's no need for that anymore," I said.

Lyra let out a mocking laugh, her eyes full of contempt.

"Are you joking? You've been crying and begging to marry me. Now you're acting tough? Do you really think this will make me sign those papers?"

I ignored her look and spoke clearly.

"Lyra, let's break up."

She frowned, clearly not taking me seriously.

"The Sterling and Vance families have already set the date. Who else would you marry? Not Elara, surely..."

Her phone rang before she could finish.

Her expression softened instantly. Her eyes sparkled as she answered the call.

"Zane! You're not leaving? I'll come pick you up right now! Wait for me!"

She walked out the door, laughing happily.

Half an hour later, Zane sent me a provocative text.

"No matter how hard you try, you'll never have her heart. All I have to do is wave, and she runs to me."

"I'm never letting Lyra go in this life. The future CEO of the Vance Group will be me!"

He attached a photo. Lyra was kissing him passionately, her eyes full of deep devotion.

Seeing that message, I knew Zane had been reborn too.

He thought the Vance Group became successful because of Lyra.

He had no idea that only by marrying into the Sterling family could anyone earn the right to lead the company.

2.

The house felt cold, just like the eight years of love I wasted on Lyra. It was nothing but a tragedy.

I used to dream of her spending one anniversary with me, but she always called me childish.

Now, on our eighth anniversary, she was busy kissing the man she truly loved.

But starting today, we wouldn't have any more anniversaries.

In the middle of the night, Lyra called me.

Her voice was softer than I had ever heard it. For a moment, I thought she had called the wrong person.

"Babe, I was a bit harsh this afternoon. I'm sorry," she whispered.

"I've thought it over. Let's get our marriage license tomorrow, okay? I know it's what you've always wanted. Meet me at the courthouse at nine."

I stayed silent for a long time, feeling a strange sense of emptiness.

She kept acting sweet over the phone until I finally gave a short answer.

The next morning, my family's driver came to pick me up.

I put my luggage in the car and told him to drive past the courthouse.

Sure enough, I saw her standing there.

She wasn't alone. She was clinging to Zane's arm, looking at her watch with a mocking smile.

I checked Zane's social media and found the truth.

"I was in a bad mood last night, so someone promised to show me her lapdog making a fool of himself. Stay tuned for the joke at 9 AM!"

I laughed at myself. She just wanted to entertain Zane.

Neither in my last life nor this one did Lyra ever intend to marry me.

In my previous life, she only married me because Zane moved abroad and cut her off.

In this life, Zane was right here.

Why would she ever need me?

Even though I had decided to move on, my eyes still felt stinging and my heart heavy.

On the way home, I couldn't stop thinking about our past.

Lyra and I grew up together. We were childhood sweethearts. She used to follow me everywhere.

She would save her allowance to buy me birthday gifts and get autographs from my favorite athletes.

Her grades weren't great, but she studied until she collapsed just to get into the same college as me.

I remember her saying, "Caden, I'm so happy I get to see you every day."

She hinted at her feelings many times, but I was too afraid to mess up our families' business ties.

Then came the diving accident. I got a cramp and almost drowned in the ocean.

She dove in without hesitation and spent thirty minutes dragging me back to shore.

Because of that, she suffered from hearing loss and constant ringing in her ears for a long time.

After that, I finally asked her to be my girlfriend.

I thought we would last forever. I believed her when she cried and promised we would grow old together.

Promises have an expiration date, it seems.

She was sincere then, but two years later, everything changed when Zane appeared.

He slowly moved into our lives and took her heart.

I didn't want to admit that by our sixth year, they were already seeing each other behind my back.

She rejected my proposals because of Zane, and only settled for me when he left.

It took me half a lifetime to accept that she didn't love me anymore.

In this life, I won't let myself drown in her again.

3.

The day after I moved out, I added Elara Vance on social media.

In my last life, she stayed abroad and focused on her career, never getting married.

When my father reached out to her family about a merger, I didn't expect her to agree so quickly.

She didn't say much. She just told me she was flying back in two days and to pick a restaurant for us to meet.

I sent her the location and turned off my phone.

Two days had passed, and Lyra hadn't even noticed I was gone.

Either she didn't care, or she had spent every second with Zane.

On the day of Elara's arrival, I went to the restaurant early to wait for her.

There was a large bridal shop next door. As I walked past, I glanced at the window.

I saw Zane and Lyra inside, picking out wedding dresses.

Zane spotted me and walked out with a sneer.

"Caden? How did you find us? Are you stalking Lyra and me?"

Lyra followed him out, her brow furrowed in annoyance, though she looked smug.

"I knew you'd come looking for me. Have you learned your lesson? I'm still not signing those papers!"

Zane wrapped his arm around her waist and laughed.

"Oh, I forgot to tell you. Lyra and I are getting married in three days. You should come."

I could feel Lyra watching me closely.

She looked like she was waiting for somethingDmaybe for me to beg.

I just smirked. "Then I wish you both a long life together."

Lyra's face fell instantly. She started shouting at me.

"Don't act like you don't care! I know you're just pretending!"

"I'm only marrying you to please my family! I will never be your real wife, so give up!"

She sounded angry, but she looked like she was waiting for me to fight for her.

I stepped back and spoke coldly.

"That's perfect. Because I wasn't planning on marrying you anyway."

I turned around and walked into the restaurant.

A few minutes later, Lyra and three others walked into the same restaurant.

She marched over to my private booth and sat down as if she owned the place.

"I guess you're being smart today," she said arrogantly. "You knew Zane's parents were coming and booked a table for us."

She gestured for Zane and his parents to sit down.

Maybe I loved her too much in my last life. Now, she thought my coldness was just a game.

She handed the menu to Zane with a sweet smile.

"Mr. and Mrs. Miller, please, order whatever you like."

Zane's parents looked a bit nervous, but Zane just chuckled.

"Don't worry, Mom. Dad. We have a sucker paying the bill today."

His parents started ordering the most expensive items on the menu. They were clearly trying to scam me.

"You're Lyra's fianc, right?" the mother said with a fake smile. "We won't be shy then. You'll be family soon anyway."

I let out a cold laugh and looked at Lyra.

"I'm here waiting for my actual fiance. Lyra, stop making a scene."

Lyra slammed her chopsticks down, looking furious.

"Do you have to make up such a pathetic lie? I'm giving you a chance by eating with you. Stop acting out!"

"Besides, who else would you marry if not me?"

I looked her in the eye, my expression serious.

"Lyra, I told you we broke up. Don't ruin my date."

Zane laughed mockingly.

"Caden, we get it. You're jealous because Lyra is close to me. But don't take it too far."

"Everyone in Ravencrest knows you're her lapdog. You've been begging for a scrap of her attention for years."

Lyra nodded, grabbing Zane's hand and locking fingers with him.

"Exactly, Caden. Stop pretending. If you tell the truth, I might feel sorry for you and give you a fake wedding."

Their tag-team insults made me want to laugh. It was pathetic.

All the love and effort I gave her meant nothing. To her, I was just a lowly servant.

"Believe what you want," I said.

I didn't care to explain. Everyone would find out soon enough.

I stood up to leave, but Zane called out to me.

"Where are you going? My parents are thirsty. Get over here and pour them some water."

I glared at him, finally losing my patience.

"Who the hell do you think you are to talk to me like that?"

Lyra grabbed my wrist, screaming at me.

"Caden! Watch your mouth! Apologize to Zane right now!"

I shook her off. "Why should I apologize?!"

Lyra's eyes turned red with rage. She stood up and raised her hand to strike me.

I felt the wind as her hand swung toward my face.

But before she could hit me, a sharp female voice rang out.

"Lyra! What do you think you're doing to my fianc?!"