Chapter 1

Edward Sterling was the head of the Sterling family, a century-old Occidentian dynasty. He was possessive to the extreme. When we lived together, he always let his overwhelming desire spill over onto me.

Back then, I foolishly believed this was love.

That morning, I carried a steaming cup of coffee to his study. Just as I reached the door, I overheard him talking to his right-hand man on the phone.

"Edward, when are you going to break off your engagement with Elena and officially marry Evelyn?"

Edward's voice came through the door, flat and almost cold. "Once Elena gives birth to an heir for my family, and the child is safely delivered, that's when.

"I need companionship, but childbirth takes a heavy toll. Evelyn's health is too fragile for that kind of hardship."

My fingers trembled as I quietly carried the now-cold coffee back to the kitchen. Standing alone in the empty room, I slowly drank it all, feeling my heart grow colder with every sip.

The next day, after a night of intimacy, I calmly took the pills I had set aside for myself right in front of Edward.

*****

Edward had an imposing, elegant figure, his broad shoulders and back traced by the soft glow of the lamp. In those moments of passion, his eyes always held a gentle, devoted look, as if that tenderness was meant for me alone.

My eyes stung with unshed tears, my mind a mess. My fingers unconsciously gripped the sheets, leaving deep creases.

Once things quieted down, I sat up and, in a gentle voice, said, "Tomorrow's the weekend. Can you come with me to try on the custom wedding dress?"

Edward's brow furrowed. "The family elders are holding an important meeting this weekend. I can't leave."

I forced a smile and asked softly, "Can't you make an exception for me, just this one time?"

"Elena, don't be difficult. You're not the official lady of the Sterling family yet." Edward's voice turned cold.

The handmade wedding dress had been ready for a long time, but he kept delaying the engagement ceremony.

For seven years, I had waited in silence to become the rightful lady of the Sterling family, but that title was still nothing more than a distant dream.

"Alright, I'll go by myself," I said, biting back my disappointment and forcing a faint smile.

After releasing all his tension, Edward took a quick shower, then headed out to the villa's balcony alone, and lit up a cigar.

"I'm sleeping in the guest room tonight," he said, not even bothering to look at me as he left the master bedroom.

I sat there, stunned, on the big bed. Seven years together, all those nights side by side, but he rarely ever stayed the night with me in the master bedroom. Especially lately—almost every night, he'd avoid our room and always pick the guest room instead.

I was lost in thought when my phone buzzed with a message from my gallery partner.

Partner: [Ms. Carter, you really need to be at tomorrow's art exhibition. The whole event was planned around you. If you're not there, the whole thing is pointless.]

I'd shown a real knack for painting since I was a kid, but my family made me major in finance in college, so I could take over the family business.

It wasn't until I went to Occidentia for school that I finally got back to my dream of painting. I started my own gallery, Starlight Gallery, and my work got a lot of praise in the art world in Occidentia.

But after I moved to this city and met Edward, things changed. The Sterling family had strict, old-fashioned rules.

They'd never let the future lady of the house run a gallery. So I had to keep my real identity as the famous artist April a secret.

Partner: [Everyone's really looking forward to it. Hope you can bring the one you love along.]

I couldn't help but feel bitter as I replied.

Elena: [I don't have anyone like that. It'll just be me.]

I was planning to show up at the art exhibition in my custom wedding dress, hoping to surprise Edward. But in his world, family and business always came first. He never had a moment to spare for me.

That night, I couldn't sleep at all.

The next morning, I was all set to eat alone, but when I walked into the dining room, I saw Edward sitting quietly at the table, like he was waiting for me.

"After breakfast, come with me to my office on the top floor of Sterling Holdings. There are a few business documents that need your signature," he said.

I gave a faint smile and replied, "Alright. Seems like the only time I'm actually needed as your fiancée is when there's business paperwork to handle."

Edward sliced his smoked salmon with slow, graceful movements, every gesture full of aristocratic elegance. His tone was calm, almost detached.

"Elena, as long as you behave yourself, the Sterling family will make sure you never have to worry about a thing. You'll enjoy a comfortable, privileged life."

At ten o'clock, we arrived at the headquarters of Sterling Holdings and took the elevator straight up to the top-floor office.

This office was Edward's private domain. No one could enter without his permission, and even I had never been given the access code.

Before the elevator doors had even fully opened, we heard a sweet, girlish laugh ring out. "Edward, you're late today!"

Evelyn White was wearing a pure white dress, looking sweet and fragile. Before Edward could even step out of the elevator, she rushed over, wrapped herself around his arm, and nestled her cheek against his chest like she belonged there.

Edward reached out and softly stroked her hair, a gentle, indulgent smile on his face, one I'd never seen before.

"I told the staff to have you wait in the lounge downstairs. Why did you come up here on your own? Can't sit still for a second, huh?"

"You even gave me the code to your office, didn't you? That means I can come find you whenever I want!" she said, hands on her hips, pouting like a spoiled princess.

Edward looked at her, a helpless yet indulgent smile on his lips.