My Ex Goes Mad with Regret After I Married the Billionaire Heir

On the morning of my twentieth birthday, my parents handed me a leather-bound portfolio filled with the profiles of the country's most eligible bachelors—all heirs to powerful fortunes and prestigious names.

I didn't even need to flip through it. I'd seen it all before.

In my past life, I'd chosen Zephyr Ashcroft from the Shanghai elite without a second thought. I thought I was choosing love. I was wrong.

Our marriage destroyed Seraphina Vance—the woman he truly loved. She spiraled into depression, turned to drinking, and eventually tried to take her own life. Three times.

Zephyr never forgave me. He emptied my family's accounts, transferred everything to Seraphina, and left the Valrose name in ruins. In the end, he stood by as she cut the brake lines of our family car.

We died on impact.

But now… I was back.

This time, I closed my eyes, reached into the portfolio, and let fate decide.

I unfolded the slip of paper. Alistair Cortez. From the Fujian elite. Rumor had it he'd been living in seclusion, far from the noise of high society. Perfect.

At our engagement gala, I walked into the ballroom on Alistair's arm—elegant, composed, reborn.

Then Zephyr stormed in.

His eyes were wild, desperate. He grabbed my wrist, his voice a ragged whisper.

"Astrid… you were supposed to choose me."

I slid Alistair's photo across the table to my parents.

My mother picked it up, studying it closely. My father's brow furrowed. "The Cortez family, Astrid? Are you sure?"

Mom reached for my hand, her voice soft with concern. "Honey, you've always had eyes for Zephyr Ashcroft. What's changed?"

I shook my head. "I've been given a second chance. I want to take it."

Memories of that cold, lonely marriage flashed behind my eyes. The betrayal. The crash. I pushed them down and held my ground.

After a silent exchange, my father finally nodded. "We'll reach out to the Cortez family. But until the engagement is official—not a word. These families move in powerful circles. Discretion is everything."

I agreed quietly and left to get ready for the charity ball that night.

The moment I stepped into the venue, reporters swarmed me.

"Miss Valrose! Is it true you're engaged to Zephyr Ashcroft?"

Camera flashes blinded me. I lifted a hand to block the light—and there he was. Zephyr. Standing across the room like an ice sculpture, cold and unmoving.

"Move," his bodyguards barked, shoving reporters aside as they cleared a path for Seraphina Vance.

She looked fragile, clinging to Zephyr's arm, her face pale.

Zephyr's voice cut through the noise. "My heart belongs to Seraphina. Even if I enter a marriage alliance, that will never change."

Tears glistened in Seraphina's eyes as she pressed closer to him.

The whispers began immediately. "The Valrose heiress… rejected for some new-money girl." "How pathetic."

Seraphina shot me a smug, teary-eyed glance, a faint smile touching her lips.

I turned away without a word and took my seat.

Of course, Zephyr was seated right beside me.

He sat down like a winter storm. "How long are you going to keep chasing me, Astrid?"

His voice was a blade. I kept mine steady. "I'm not chasing you."