Chapter 1

The day before my wedding, my fiancé, Miles, blew off our rehearsal dinner. He sent a text saying he was marrying his childhood sweetheart, Kate. She was pregnant, and the baby needed the Sterling name.

Fine by me. I agreed instantly. I'd wanted out of this marriage for a long time.

Moments later, Kate posted an update on the family's private social network.

The photo showed two hands intertwined, wearing the Sterling family's heirloom wedding rings.

A blurry sonogram was visible in the background. Seven weeks.

Her caption was dripping with triumph.

He said he wants to give me and our baby a real family.

In the replies below, the Sterling family's inner circle showered them with congratulations.

They congratulated the young Boss for finally following his heart, promising extravagant gifts for the ceremony tomorrow.

Not a single person spared a thought for me, his fiancée.

It was as if the grand ceremony, the talk of the town, had always been for them. I was just an outsider.

I let out a cold laugh and had one of my men send over a bottle of vintage champagne as a congratulatory gift.

I included a handwritten note.

Wishing you a lifetime of happiness.

Half an hour later, the post was deleted.

Miles called moments later, his voice tight with impatience.

"Harper, what the hell was that? A gift like that? Are you trying to start a war between our families?"

For a moment, I was speechless.

"I wasn't causing trouble. I was simply offering my sincere congratulations."

But Miles wasn't listening. He was convinced I was deliberately making a scene.

"Cut the crap, Harper. You think I don't know your games?"

"Everyone in this city knows tomorrow was supposed to be our wedding. Sending a gift like that, are you trying to make Kate a public joke?"

"Your gift sent Kate into a panic. She's a wreck, and I can't get her to stop crying."

"You are going to apologize to her. Now."

I could faintly hear a woman's soft sobs on his end of the line.

"Miles, just forget it. I shouldn't have pressured you. I'll just go to some back-alley clinic and get rid of it. Even if I can never be a mother again, it's better than you being accused of breaking your word."

His voice softened instantly, his tone turning fiercely protective as he soothed her.

"Kate, don't say foolish things like that. I'm taking you to the chapel tomorrow. You will be the one and only Mrs. Sterling."

"Don't worry about the gossip. If anyone dares to touch a hair on your head, they'll pay in blood."

Kate's sobs only grew louder. "But what about Harper? The Romanos will never let me get away with this. I should just get rid of the baby, then your grand wedding can go on as planned..."

Miles was so flustered his breathing grew ragged, his voice softening into a plea.

"Baby, I already handled her. She agreed to wait three years, for the good of the Alliance. Everything's going according to the new plan."

"Now wipe your tears. Getting worked up is bad for your health."

"If you keep crying, your eyes will be all puffy for your wedding dress tomorrow."

Kate finally let out a soft, coquettish laugh.

Miles sighed in relief. When he spoke to me again, his voice was laced with weary condescension.

"Harper, are you there? Just be a good girl and apologize to Kate. Then we can put this all behind us."

My knuckles turned white as I gripped my phone, a chill spreading through my veins.

But I had done nothing wrong. I was the one who had been betrayed. Why should I be the one to apologize?

"Miles, what on earth makes you think I would do that?"

He paused, then his voice rose sharply.

"Harper, don't make this ugly. Kate is pregnant. She can't handle the stress. You deliberately made her cry. Have you no decency?"

"Fine. You don't have to apologize. But you have to prove it. Go explain to the elders on both sides that you're the one calling off the wedding."

As if afraid I would argue, he hung up.

A text from him came through immediately after.

Baby, I'm begging you, please don't make a scene. This thing with her is just a formality, it means nothing. I'm only putting off the wedding so I can give you the perfect life once I have full control of the family.

The sheer hypocrisy of it made my eyes sting.

What did he mean, the most perfect life?

I had waited for him for eight years in this world of power and ambition.

And my reward was to watch him give another woman the title of Mrs. Sterling.

Miles, I'm done playing your games.

We were never right for each other to begin with.

The screen flashed. Miles had retracted the message.

A new one appeared in its place.

If Kate saw that, it would just cause more trouble. Do as I say, and I'll make it up to you. When I'm Don, I'll pay you back for these three years of sacrifice. With interest.

I looked at the screen and couldn't help but laugh coldly.

Just two minutes later, he guiltily retracted that one too.

This coward. Was he lying to the Romanos, or just to himself?

If he was just fulfilling some old obligation, like he claimed, why was he so worried about her being jealous of me?

And why would he blame me for her cheap theatrics?

He was willing to risk the Alliance for her and a kid that wasn't even his.

What if it was his?