He’s My One True Love 1

A year after agreeing to return home for an arranged marriage, the man who had once left me cold suddenly remembered I existed.
He came to me with the irises I used to love, all smug and self-assured.
He thought that the moment he looked back, I’d be overwhelmed with tears and run back to him.
But I’d stopped loving irises a long time ago—and as for him, I’d already let him go.
My husband from the arranged marriage pulled me into his arms and sneered at him. “Shane, my wife’s already showing. And you’re still not over her?”
That night, the man who was always cold and restrained during the day kissed me until I couldn’t breathe. “Babe, if you keep talking to Shane, I’m gonna draw turtles on the soles of your feet.”
——————————
“I’ll come home and get married,” Sarah Saunders said.
It was late. The moonlight was like frost.
She lowered her eyes and pulled her coat tighter around herself.
On the phone, Jack Saunders’s voice came quickly. “Glad you’ve come around. After you insisted on going to Astrovia after graduation, it’s been three years. Mom and Dad were starting to think some guy ran off with our little princess. It’s a good thing you’re finally coming back.”
His voice was full of relief.
Three years—it really had been that long.
Sarah’s fingers brushed over the wooden bracelet on her wrist. It was still as new as the day she got it. She’d taken good care of it.
She thought of how blindly passionate she’d been back then, following Shane to Astrovia like a fool in love. Bitterness rose in her chest, but she didn’t argue.
“I was being immature. Sorry for worrying you. I’ll leave the wedding arrangements to you and Mom and Dad.”
“Don’t worry. The guy Mom and Dad picked for you is perfect—good looks, great family, solid character. You’re going to like him.”
Jack comforted her for a while longer, but never once mentioned the groom’s name before changing the subject.
“Oh right, Sarah, make sure you invite Shane. He’s still in Astrovia, right? You used to be glued to him, calling him ‘Shane’ every other word. Don’t forget to tell him to come to the wedding. Don’t know what he’s been up to lately, but I haven’t been able to get through to him.”
A bitter taste spread across Sarah’s tongue.
Of course he wasn’t picking up the phone.
Nora Winters had come back a month ago.
Shane had been spending all his time on long phone calls with her ever since.
She was quiet for a moment before speaking softly. “He probably won’t make it…”
“What wedding?”
Before she could finish, a deep voice cut in.
The door had just swung open. Sarah hung up quickly.
Looking up, she saw Shane setting down his suit jacket. Tall and sharp-featured, with that maddening charm etched into his face, he raised a brow and curved his lips into a cool, easy smile.
He looked every bit the refined gentleman.
Shane Yale walked over and pulled her into his arms. “Who’s getting married?”
One hand gripped her waist as he buried his face in her neck, as if only her scent could calm him.
“No one,” Sarah said softly.
But in her heart, she knew—he didn’t need to attend her wedding.
Shane didn’t notice her mood. He casually loosened his tie, unbuttoned his shirt, radiating lazy seduction.
Still holding her waist, he chuckled. “I thought maybe you wanted to get married.”
She met his gaze and suddenly asked, “What if I did?”
“What’s with that all of a sudden?” Shane paused, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear, his eyes dark. “You’re still young. No need to rush.”
No need to rush—or was it that he never planned to marry her in the first place?
Bitterness filled Sarah’s chest. She whispered, “Would you really marry me?”
Shane opened his mouth to say yes, but hesitation flickered in his eyes.
A moment later, his voice was soft and reassuring. “Of course. You followed me to Astrovia, didn’t you? I won’t let you down. When the time’s right, I’ll marry you…”
His words faded into her lips. Cool lips trailed from her mouth to her neck.
The sensation sent a shiver through her.
Sarah closed her eyes. She didn’t push him away.
She knew Shane wouldn’t go any further.
It had been like this for years. Even when things heated up, Shane always held back. He never took that final step.
At first, she didn’t understand. She’d bite her lip in embarrassment and tell him she was willing.
But Shane would only stroke her hair gently, eyes tender. “You’re still young. We’ll wait until we’re married.”
She used to think that was how much he cherished her. She’d blush and hide in his arms.
Until Nora came back.
One time, Shane was hanging out with his buddies. Sarah had shown up late. Just before she pushed open the door, she heard one of them joke:
“Shane, now that Nora’s back, when are you dumping that stand-in?”
Someone else chimed in right after.
“Yeah, if it weren’t for Sarah, Nora wouldn’t have gone through all that. Nora can’t stand her.”
Nora had once been the adopted daughter of the Saunders family—the housekeeper’s daughter. A mistake after birth led to Sarah and Nora being switched. It wasn’t discovered until they were fifteen.
When the truth came out, the Saunders brought Sarah home and sent Nora back to the Winters family, giving her ten million as compensation.
Soon after, Nora went abroad and cut ties with the Saunders.
But to Shane’s childhood friends, Nora had suffered because of Sarah.
Truth was, Sarah hadn’t had a good life with her adoptive mother. Even after returning to the Saunders family, things with John and Wendy always felt distant.
Most people didn’t know, but Shane did. He knew better than anyone what really happened between Sarah and Nora.
And yet all he said was, “Don’t talk nonsense.”
Three simple words. No explanations.
That was when Sarah realized Shane had never loved her.
He wouldn’t touch her—not out of restraint, but to stay pure for Nora.
She had only ever been a stand-in.
Of course.
Even now, when she felt his body tense, Shane pulled away again with practiced control.
Sarah looked at her empty hand, her heart aching in ways she couldn’t explain.
She and Shane had grown up together.
When she’d first returned to the Saunders, she’d been quiet and withdrawn. Nora’s friends made trouble for her—once, they cornered her in an alley with a bunch of thugs.
Shane took a knife for her that day.
Blood everywhere, but he still smiled, those fox-like eyes full of warmth.
“I’m fine. Don’t be scared, Sarah.”
That was the moment she fell. Headfirst, never looking back.
After college, she followed him to Astrovia and became his secretary.
From a naive girl to a capable, resourceful professional, she did everything for him.
Once, to help him secure a project, she worked three days straight on just four hours of sleep—but still found time to make him soup for his stomach pains.
And yet, after three years, his heart still belonged to someone else.
“What are you spacing out for?”
Shane caught her drifting and raised an eyebrow with a laugh. “It was just a kiss. Still stuck on it?”
Sarah gave a bitter shake of her head.
Usually, after moments like this, they’d sleep in separate rooms.
She was about to say she’d head back to hers when Shane’s phone rang.
He didn’t hide it. Right in front of her, he answered on speaker.
It was one of his buddies.
“Jake, long time no hang. We’re getting together at Aqua Club. Come chill.”
“No time.”
Shane glanced at Sarah, lips curved. “Gotta spend time with my sweetheart. Unless she wants to come with me, I’m not going anywhere…”
The teasing started up immediately on the other end.
“Nora, come with him!”
“Yeah, come on! We haven’t all gotten together in ages.”
Shane smiled beside her, those fox eyes playful and indulgent as he looked her way.
He was so open about it—even his friends on the phone were calling her Nora without hesitation.
And all Sarah felt was a sharp stab in her chest.
Because just a short while ago, Shane’s friends had used that same name for someone else.