Mag-log inMorning arrived beneath a sky blanketed with gray clouds. The rain that had threatened all night finally began to fall, leaving the gardens of Sterling Manor glistening beneath a veil of mist. Alexander had been awake for hours yet the documents on his desk remained untouched. The brown investigation file Ethan had delivered the previous afternoon still lay open before him. And its contents had refused to leave his mind. Every phone record. Every email. Every unanswered request. Not one had Amelia's name attached to it. And that fact alone just made his certainty had begin to crack. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes as one memory after another surfaced. The wedding day. Amelia had stood before him in silence while he accused her of deception. She hadn't argued or thrown her weight around and instead she had simply accepted every harsh word. Another memory followed. The Foundation. She had spent entire afternoons organizing reports beside Eleanor without on
Amelia didn't sleep immediately as the conversation outside Alexander's study replayed in her mind over and over again. "Enough to settle their immediate debts. There is no need to inform Mrs. Sterling." She had spent weeks trying to prove she wasn't like the family she came from. She had never even asked Alexander for money or used his name. And neither had she even hinted that he owed the Harts anything. Yet in the end..He had decided for her because he believed she wanted exactly what she had refused. And the realization hurt more than she cared to admit. The following days flew by fast into weeks and on one peculiar morning she decided that was it. The sterling Manor was unusually quiet and sunlight poured through the tall windows as servants moved silently through the corridors. Amelia stood inside her dressing room, staring at the black bank card resting in her palm that Alexander had given to her shortly after the wedding. "Use it whenever you need something." She had
The silence between Amelia and Alexander followed them into the days following. They had both decided against reaching out to the other to clear the misunderstandings and it progressively seemed it wasn't the ordinary silence they had grown accustomed to. This one felt heavier and colder as though a door had quietly closed between them during the day it had happened. Amelia barely slept as she kept on replaying the conversation with her parents countless times. Then Alexander's final words. "I knew this marriage had a price." The accusation lingered like a bruise she couldn't touch. Breakfast was served at precisely eight. Alexander was already seated when Amelia entered the dining room with a newspaper which laid unfolded beside his coffee. He didn't look up despite already sensing her presence. She hesitated before taking her seat across from him. "Good morning." He only responded with a brief nod and nothing more. The butler who had seemingly observed the interaction betwe
The morning after the Sterling business dinner passed quietly. And the Sterling Manor had returned to its usual rhythm. Servants moved efficiently through the hallways, breakfast was served precisely on time, and Alexander had already left for Sterling Group before Amelia came downstairs. The previous evening still lingered in her thoughts as it had refused to go away. Funnily it wasn’t just because of the compliments or because of the whispers. Rather it was because of the drive home. "It wasn't for you." The words still echoed in her ears and as she had expected, they still hurt. After breakfast, Amelia joined Eleanor in the study.Stacks of Foundation reports covered the large mahogany desk. "I've finished organizing the scholarship proposals," Amelia said, handing over a folder. Eleanor adjusted her glasses before accepting it. "I noticed. And dare I say you’ve become even more efficient." A faint smile crossed Amelia's face as she felt her cheeks coloring rapidly. "I'm
The emerald gown fit Amelia better than she had expected.Its rich green fabric flowed gracefully to the floor, elegant without being extravagant. The fitted bodice and delicate sleeves gave her an air of quiet sophistication, while the subtle embroidery at the waist reflected the understated luxury the Sterling family was known for.She stood before the mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back at her.It wasn’t because she looked different but instead because she looked like she belonged in a world that had never wanted her.A maid carefully fastened the final clasp of the necklace Eleanor had selected."There," she said with a warm smile. "Madam Eleanor has wonderful taste."Amelia managed a polite smile back at the maid."I only hope I don't disappoint her.""You won't."The maid stepped back to admire her."You look every bit Mrs. Sterling. And anyone with good eyes would see it too."The words lingered long after the maid left.Mrs. Sterling.Even now, the title felt unf
The morning after the family dinner felt quiet.The Sterling Manor was usually alive with the sound of staff preparing breakfast but today…Even the servants spoke in hushed voices.The disturbing news of Richard Sterling’s collapse had spread throughout the estate and no one dared said it aloud.But everyone understood what it meant.If the patriarch’s health continued to decline…The balance of power inside the Sterling family would change.Amelia had just finished breakfast when the head butler approached her.“Mrs. Sterling.”She looked up.“Yes?”“Mr. Richard Sterling would like to see you.”She blinked in surprise as the color s embed to drain completely from her face.“Me?”“Immediately.”Richard’s private sitting room overlooked the eastern gardens so when Amelia entered, she found him seated beside the window, a blanket draped over his knees.He looked older than he had during the wedding. And worse even more tired. But the sharpness in his eyes remained forever present there.
Chapter 4: Tomorrow“And I promise,” Alexander said quietly, “you will regret lying to me.”The room went silent as Amelia stared at him.Was he serious?He looked at her like she had personally ruined his life or Like she had schemed her way into his family.Into his money.Into him.The unfairnes
Chapter 3: The Bride Who Was Never Chosen“Who exactly did the Hart family send me?”Ominous Silence swallowed the room as Amelia stood frozen near the entrance, her fingers curling tightly against the fabric of her dress.Across from her, Alexander Sterling held the slim engagement file loosely in
Chapter 2: The Wrong Bride“So this is the woman desperate enough to trap me into marriage?”The words hit Amelia harder than the rain and She stood there frozen.The man standing in front of her looked impossibly calm, as though humiliating someone was as effortless as breathing the air.Alexander
Chapter 1: The Daughter Chosen for Sacrifice“Sophia is not marrying Alexander Sterling.”Amelia Hart stopped outside the study door.Her fingers tightened around the tray of tea she had been asked to bring.Inside, silence stretched for a second and then her mother sighed.“We cannot force Sophia,”







