The Backup Fiancé's Hidden Agenda Chapter 1

My fiancé through a marriage alliance was incredibly busy; his younger brother practically handled everything for him.

From delivering the contract to proposing, from choosing the house to looking at wedding dresses, he didn't even make an appearance three days before the engagement party.

His younger brother told me.

"Sister-in-law, my brother is like this because he has a girl he loved but couldn't have deep in his heart. The walls of his room are covered in her photos. Please don't mind."

I minded very much, so I swapped my fiancé for his younger brother at the last minute.

He had no objections and even happily said he would attend the engagement party.

Except, on the day of the engagement, my fiancé disappeared.

When I went backstage to find him, he was having a freestyle brawl with a man who looked very similar to him.

"You knew I've been secretly in love with her for years! Why didn't you tell me the alliance was with her?!"

"Why should I tell you? There are just as many photos of her in my room as yours. Brother, you taught me: fight for what you want."

* * *

"The contract... isn't it in your hands?"

I frowned at the young man in front of me. He was handsome, but he didn't look very smart.

"This... this is the contract I need to use later. Your marriage contract was eaten by the driver on the way here."

He stammered, and I looked at him suspiciously.

A week ago, I added my arranged fiancé, Arthur Vance, on Snapchat.

Up until noon today, he had sent exactly one message.

[I'm a bit busy lately. My brother will pass by your family's company this afternoon. I'll have him drop off the contract. If there are no issues, sign it and have him bring it back.]

I replied with an 'okay'.

Sure enough, the receptionist said someone was here to deliver a contract in the afternoon.

It's just that this guy still looked indifferent when he closed the door, but the moment our eyes met, he suddenly jumped up from the sofa.

And then, holding a contract, he said the contract was lost.

"I'll text your brother and ask him to send someone else with another copy."

I couldn't help but feel a little dissatisfied. Was the Vance family being too insincere?

We finalized the alliance a month ago. I haven't even met the eldest son, and the youngest son lost the contract he was supposed to deliver.

Are they trying to show me who's boss?

Frowning, I was about to text Arthur.

I, Chloe Hastings, wasn't desperate to marry into the Vance family. There was no need to make things so ugly.

"Don't!"

The man hurriedly interrupted me.

"I'll deliver the contract tomorrow. How about I treat you to a meal first and discuss the contract details on my brother's behalf?"

I looked at the tips of his red ears, then checked my watch.

I nodded in agreement.

While waiting for the food, he suddenly seemed to have made some sort of resolution and started introducing himself.

"My name is Ethan Vance. I'm 6'1", 162 lbs. I work out year-round, I have abs..."

I frowned and cut him off.

"Does this have anything to do with the contract?"

Ethan's face turned red, and he suddenly looked at me a bit pitifully.

"I guess not, but you'll be my sister-in-law from now on, so I wanted to introduce myself..."

I was speechless.

Looking at his somewhat pathetic but handsome face, my inexplicable anger suddenly vanished.

"Okay, keep going."

But Ethan stopped talking. He stared at me quietly and suddenly spoke.

"Sister-in-law, did you ever change your name?"

I blinked.

"No... oh, wait, yes."

If my stage name counts.

He let out a long breath and then stopped chattering.

Instead, he ate quietly.

Although he stopped talking, he stared at me unblinkingly.

His stare made me feel a bit uncomfortable.

I had to focus all my attention on the food.

Surprisingly, he ordered everything I loved to eat.

When we parted ways, he took out his phone.

Thinking I'd have to add him eventually anyway, I didn't refuse.

However, after getting home, I still sent a message to Arthur.

[I didn't receive the contract. Send someone with another copy tomorrow.]

It took a long time for a reply.

[My brother told me. Sorry, he's always been rash like this. He'll deliver a new copy tomorrow.]

I sighed, thinking of Ethan's burning gaze, then looked at the cold attitude opposite me, as if he didn't want to say another word.

I decided not to reply again.