Married to a Man Who Loved My Stepsister

After leaving those words behind, Justin walked away.

It wasn’t until I discovered the ninety-nine love letters in his study that I realized—Justin had been in love with Selena for a full ten years.

Selena was my father’s illegitimate daughter and that identity had always been a source of shame for her. My father had secretly arranged for her and her mother to live in another villa—ironically, right next door to Justin's.

Although we all attended the same university, I only learned of this arrangement recently.

Justin had been a campus heartthrob—handsome, reserved and born into a prestigious family.

But he had fallen for the quiet and timid Selena. Just to be close to her, Justin would accompany her to meals every single day.

He even joined the ping-pong club, despite it being the sport he disliked most.

Selena had publicly rejected his confession, yet on her birthday, he still set off fireworks for her.

Now that Selena's marriage had ended, Justin was willing to sacrifice our marriage—just to keep me from inheriting the family fortune.

It finally dawned on me: this fake, painful marriage was no longer worth holding on to.

If that’s how it is, I should let them have each other.

And fully set myself free.

Justin didn’t come home the entire day, but he sent me a message in the middle of the night.

[There are two tickets in your bag—for your favorite band. I’m taking tomorrow off so I can go with you. I’m working overtime at the office now, so get some rest first.]

So he still remembered my favorite band.

Over the past three years of marriage, Justin had learned all of my preferences. On every holiday, he would surprise me with thoughtful little gifts. He was attentive, caring—everything a woman could hope for.

Back then, he made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

But now, even with him reaching out, I didn’t feel that old spark. Not even a flicker of excitement.

Still, the next day, I went to the concert as planned.

Half an hour after the show started, Justin still hadn’t shown up.

I called him, but the call went straight to voicemail.

This was the first time he had ever forgotten a plan we’d made. After calling him twenty times with no answer, I gave up.

I walked into the venue, feeling strangely empty.

Seeing my favorite band perform should have thrilled me.

But then, during the interactive segment, the camera panned across the crowd and zoomed in on a couple.

It was them—Justin and Selena. Both wearing masks and baseball caps.

No one else would have recognized them.

Selena leaned shyly against Justin, her smile sweet and affectionate.

When the lead singer asked if they were a couple, they both shook their heads.

“It’s the perfect moment—why not confess your feelings?”

Right then, Justin dropped to one knee. He pulled out a ring from his pocket and looked up at Selena, his voice sincere.

“Ten years… Can this ring help me preserve this moment?”

I watched in silence as he slowly slid the ring onto Selena’s finger.

I already knew who lived in Justin’s heart. But seeing it—seeing it with my own eyes—still struck like a blade.

A sharp pain surged through my chest and my eyes filled with tears that refused to stop.

Even as the screen switched back to the lead singer, my tears kept falling.

I collapsed stiffly into my seat, my body frozen. At that moment, the final shred of hope I’d been holding on to... shattered completely.

Through my tears, I sent Justin a message.

“Justin, you broke your promise.”

Less than five minutes later, he replied.

“Something urgent came up. I forgot. I’ll explain when I get back.”

I let out a bitter laugh, unable to suppress the sour ache in my heart.

I didn’t want to stay any longer.

Outside, the crowd had thinned. A few raindrops splashed against my arm.

I hadn’t brought an umbrella. By the time I got home, I was drenched from head to toe.

Then Justin sent another message.

[It’s raining outside. Don’t forget to close the window. Don’t be scared. I’ll be back soon.]

Staring at his message, tears mingled with the rain streaming down my face.

My hand trembled as I gripped the phone. I couldn’t hold back the storm of anger and heartbreak inside me any longer.

So I wrote back.

[Justin, was the concert good?]