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He shows up in a black sedan that's ten years old and sounds like it's dying.
I watch from the upstairs window as Lin Yuhan gets out. Same cheap jacket. Same scuffed shoes. Same harmless smile he wore when he proposed last time—right after my parents died, when I had nowhere else to go.
He played the hero then. Said he'd been in love with me since college. Said he didn't care about the debt or the scandal. Just wanted to take care of me.
I believed him. Signed everything he put in front of me. Thought I was lucky someone still wanted me.
Three months later I was burning alive in my childhood bedroom while he stood in the doorway with his phone out. Recording. He didn't even pretend to call for help.
Now he's walking up to my front door like he's nervous. Like he's just some poor bastard son trying to do a good deed.
I head downstairs before he can knock.
Mom's still in the living room. Dad's on the couch with his head in his hands. They both look up when I come down, and Mom starts to stand, but I shake my head.
"Stay here," I say. "Let me handle this."
"Wanxing, you don't have to—"
"I want to."
The doorbell rings.
I open it before it can ring twice.
Lin Yuhan's hand is still raised. He blinks at me, then smiles. It's a soft smile. The kind that made me think he was safe last time.
"Stella," he says. "I came as fast as I could. Are you okay?"
I don't smile back. "You said you could help."
He glances past me into the house. I know what he sees. The empty walls where paintings used to hang. The gaps where furniture got repossessed last week. My parents sitting there looking like ghosts.
"Can I come in?" he asks.
I step aside.
He walks in slow, like he's trying not to spook me. Or maybe like he's taking inventory. Last time I thought he was being respectful. Now I know he's counting assets.
"Mr. Su, Mrs. Su." He nods at my parents. "I'm sorry about everything that's happened. I know this must be—"
"You said you could help," I repeat. "How much can you cover?"
Mom makes a small noise. Dad doesn't even look up.
Lin turns to me. His smile fades just enough to look serious. Concerned. "I have some savings. Not a lot, but—"
"Fifty million," I say.
He blinks.
"That's how much we owe. Fifty million yuan. The guys who came here today said two weeks, but they'll be back in one. Probably with worse terms." I cross my arms. "So how much do you actually have?"
Last time I didn't ask. I just cried and thanked him and signed.
This time I'm going to make him say it out loud.
He looks at my parents again. Then back at me. "Stella, I don't think you understand—"
"I understand perfectly." I tilt my head. "You said you wanted to help. I'm telling you what help looks like. Fifty million. Can you do it or not?"
His jaw tightens. Just for a second. Then the soft smile comes back.
"I can't give you fifty million in cash," he says. "But I can marry you."
Mom gasps. Dad's head finally comes up.
I don't move.
"Marry me," Lin says again, "and I'll cover the debt. All of it. Fifty-three million, to be exact."
Fifty-three.
He knows the real number.
The debt collectors said fifty. But there's another three million in interest and fees buried in the fine print. I only know because I saw the paperwork last time—after I'd already signed my life away.
I keep my face blank. "Why would you do that?"
"Because I care about you." He says it so simply. Like it's true. "We were friends in college. I know we lost touch, but I never stopped—" He stops himself. Looks down like he's embarrassed. "I heard about the bankruptcy. I wanted to reach out sooner, but I didn't know if you'd want to hear from me."
God, he's good.
Last time I thought he was shy. Now I can see him watching me through his lashes. Measuring my reaction.
"You have fifty-three million yuan," I say.
"I have access to it." He straightens up. "My family... it's complicated. But I can get the money. If you marry me."
Dad finally speaks. His voice is hoarse. "What family?"
Lin looks at him. "I'd rather not say. It's not something I'm proud of."
Translation: he's pretending to be a bastard son. Disowned. Scraping by on some trust fund his rich relatives threw at him to make him go away.
That's the story he told me last time. I ate it up. Thought we were both damaged. Both rejected by the people who were supposed to love us.
Turns out he's Lin Archer. Heir to the Archer Financial Group. Overseas holdings in fourteen countries. The company that shorted my father's stocks and bought up his debt through three shell companies.
He destroyed us. Then he offered me a ring.
"I'll need to see proof," I say.
His smile falters. "What?"
"Proof you can cover the debt. I'm not signing anything without verification."
Mom stands up. "Wanxing, you can't be serious—"
"I'm very serious." I don't look at her. I keep my eyes on Lin. "You show up here with a marriage proposal and a big number. Great. Show me the money. Then we'll talk terms."
Something flickers across his face. Surprise, maybe. Or annoyance.
Last time I was so grateful I didn't ask questions.
This time I'm going to make him work for it.
"I can have my bank send a letter of credit," he says slowly. "It'll take a day or two."
"Fine. Bring it when you come back."
"Wanxing—" Dad's voice cracks. "You don't have to do this."
I finally turn to look at him. He's crying. Mom's crying too.
They don't know I've already done this. Already married him. Already died because of it.
"Yeah," I say. "I do."
Lin steps closer. Not touching me. Just close enough that I have to look up at him. "I know this sounds crazy," he says quietly. "But I meant what I said. I care about you. I'm not trying to take advantage. I just... I want to help. And if marriage is what it takes to access the funds, then—"
"What do you get out of it?"
He blinks again.
"Nobody gives away fifty million for free," I say. "What do you want?"
Last time he said, *You. I just want you.*
It was so romantic I almost believed it.
Now he's quiet for a long moment. Then he smiles. That same soft smile.
"Honestly?" He shrugs. "A name. Your family's name still means something in this city. Even after the bankruptcy. If I marry you, I'm not just the bastard son anymore. I'm Su Wanxing's husband. That opens doors."
I stare at him.
He just... said it.
Last time he pretended it was love. This time he's selling it like a business deal.
I don't know if that means he's being honest or if he's just switching tactics.
Either way, I can work with it.
"Okay," I say.
"Okay?"
"Okay. Bring the letter of credit. We'll draft a contract. I'll marry you."
Mom grabs my arm. "Wanxing, please, think about this—"
"I have." I pull away gently. "It's the only option that keeps you both alive."
She flinches. Dad closes his eyes.
They think I'm being dramatic. They don't know I watched them die in a car crash while I was trapped in a marriage to the man who ordered it.
Lin's watching me with this look I can't quite read. "I'll be back tomorrow," he says. "With everything you asked for."
"Good."
He turns to leave. Then stops at the door.
"Stella?"
"What."
"Thank you." He looks back at me. "For trusting me."
I don't answer.
He leaves. The door clicks shut.
Mom collapses back onto the couch. Dad's still got his eyes closed.
I stand there in the empty hallway and count to ten.
Then I pull out my phone and call the only person who might believe me.
Claire Shen picks up on the third ring. "Stella? I heard about your dad's company, I'm so sorry—"
"I need a lawyer," I say. "A good one. Can you come over?"
"Of course. When?"
"Now."
She's quiet for a second. Then: "What happened?"
"I'm getting married."
"What?"
"Just come over. I'll explain everything."
I hang up before she can ask more questions.
My hands are steady. My heartbeat's steady.
Last time I was shaking when I agreed to marry him. Crying. Desperate.
This time I'm cold.
He thinks he's won already. Thinks I'm the same stupid girl who'll sign anything he puts in front of her.
He's wrong.
I'm going to marry him. I'm going to smile at the altar. I'm going to play the grateful rescued heiress.
And then I'm going to take everything.
Starting with that fifty-three million he just promised me.
My phone buzzes. A text from an unknown number.
*Glad we could come to an arrangement. I'll have my assistant send over the paperwork tonight. One more thing—I'll need you to move in right after we sign. My family's watching my accounts. It'll look more legitimate if we're living together.*
I read it twice.
Move in. Right after we sign.
Last time he waited three weeks. Let me pack. Let me say goodbye to the house.
This time he wants me under his roof immediately.
I text back: *Fine.*
Three dots appear. Then disappear. Then appear again.
Finally: *See you tomorrow, wife.*
I delete the message.
Then I go upstairs to pack.