Chapter 3: There has been a change

Maya stood there, watching as Mr. Ethan Ashford rolled away. The crowd parted instinctively for him.

Mrs. Sterling’s called out. “Ella! Tina!”

Two maids hurried over with a dustpan and brush, their heads bowed. They knelt and cleaned up the shattered vase. When they were done, Mrs Sterling gave Maya one last glare before turning away.

Nelly followed after her mother, tossing her hair back dramatically, and soon the crowd moved, pretending nothing had happened. The music started again and laughter returned.

Maya exhaled softly, stepping aside. As she moved, Anna— the same girl who had shoved her earlier, brushed roughly past her.

“You’re lucky,” Anna hissed, “Nelly’s fiancé saved your ass. Otherwise, you’d be behind bars right now.”

She scoffed and walked away, leaving Maya frozen in place.

Nelly’s fiancé?

Maya’s gaze travelled toward the tall man in the wheelchair, now deep in conversation across the hall.

Just a few hours in this mansion, and she had already been humiliated, insulted, and nearly accused of a crime. How much worse would things get if she stayed here longer?

Maybe she shouldn’t have come at all.

She barely knew her father. It had been twenty years without him, and suddenly she was expected to belong here? To this house filled with people who looked at her like she didn’t deserve to breathe their air?

Meanwhile, Nelly practically skipped her way across the grand hall. She spotted her father surrounded by a few executives and friends. They clearly hadn’t heard the commotion earlier.

“Dad!” she called brightly.

Mr. Sterling, a tall man with streaks of gray in his dark hair turned at the sound of her voice. His expression softened. “Nelly,” he smiled as she reached him and wrapped her arms lightly around his shoulders.

“Look!” Nelly said, pulling back. “Ethan’s here!”

Mr. Sterling’s brows lifted as he turned to see the young man in the sleek black wheelchair approaching. “Mr. Ashford,” he said with a welcoming tone, extending his hand.

“Happy birthday, Mr. Sterling.” Ethan replied smoothly, shaking his hand firmly. 

“Thank you.”

Nelly’s eyes gleamed mischievously as she leaned closer to her father. “Dad, did you hear what happened? That illegitimate daughter you brought home broke something.”

Mr. Sterling’s smile faltered. “Nelly,” he said sharply. “Be careful with your words.”

“But Dad—”

Before she could say another word, Ethan spoke, his tone cold. “I already handled it,” he said, turning his gaze briefly toward Mr. Sterling. “You should focus on your birthday, Mr. Sterling. The matter’s been resolved.”

Mr. Sterling blinked, then nodded quickly. “Ah, right, right. Yes, of course. Thank you, Mr. Ashford.” He turned to Nelly, patting her shoulder. “We’ll have dinner soon, once the guests start to leave. Go on, mingle.”

Nelly bit her lip, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “Of course, Dad.”

Soon after, guests began to leave one by one. The once bustling hall now fell a bit quiet. Maya stood off to the side, unsure what to do next. 

Her eyes drifted to the long dining table at the center of the room, where servants were now arranging plates, silverware, and golden-rimmed glasses.

An after-feast? she wondered. The Sterling family clearly liked to celebrate in style.

Nelly was the first to take her seat, elegantly crossing her legs. Mr. Sterling soon joined her, followed by Mrs. Sterling. Ethan was helped into a seat, followed by a couple of men. 

Maya bit her lip. Maybe this was her cue to leave. She began to take a slow step back when a maid rushed toward her.

“Um… Miss Maya,” the maid said, bowing slightly. “Mr. Sterling has asked that you join the table.”

Maya blinked. “What?”

“Yes, ma’am. They’re about to have dinner. He said I should ask you personally to join.”

“Oh, I don’t think I should,” Maya muttered.

The maid gave a polite smile. “Please come.”

Maya swallowed hard, her heart suddenly racing. As she walked toward the table, she could feel every pair of eyes following her. When she reached the end of the table, she hesitated, not sure whether to sit.

Nelly glared at her. “Why the hell is she here?”

Mr. Sterling’s tone was calm. “I don’t think she’s eaten since she got here. Let the child have her seat.”

“Oh, come on, Dad,” Nelly huffed. “Why are you being so nice to her? I get that she’s your child, but still—”

“Nelly,” he cut her off gently. “Don’t overthink it. We’re just going to eat. Nothing more.”

Mrs. Sterling gave a small laugh. “Nothing more, indeed. But you know, darling, I’ve been through quite a lot because of this girl. It’s not like she’s part of our family or anything. She’s just an illegitimate child from the countryside.”

Maya kept her eyes on the table as she lowered herself into the empty chair.

Mr. Sterling exhaled quietly, rubbing his temple. “This shouldn’t be about who’s legitimate or not. It’s my birthday. Let’s just enjoy dinner.”

No one replied.

Some maids began serving the dishes.

Maya stared at the table in front of her, unsure whether she was supposed to eat or simply admire the arrangement. She had never seen so many dishes in one place before. 

The long dining table looked like something straight out of a royal banquet. There was beef wellington, bowls of truffled mashed potatoes, lobster tails resting on fine china, and glasses filled with champagne and wine that sparkled like liquid gold.

When the maids finally stepped back, Maya felt completely overwhelmed. On her left were three forks which looked the same to her. On her right, three knives of varying shapes and sizes. Napkins folded neatly. So many plates layered one over another that she couldn’t even tell which one to start with.

Her eyes moved to the others at the table. Nelly and her mother moved effortlessly, picking up the utensils. Even Ethan, who sat quietly beside Mr. Sterling, ate quietly.

Maya swallowed hard. Her heart was racing.

She watched a moment longer, then took a slow breath and picked up one of the forks. Maybe this one was right. But the moment the fork touched her fingers, Nelly scoffed. 

“That’s a dessert fork, silly.”

A small wave of laughter echoed between Nelly and her mother. Maya froze, her face heating in embarrassment. She quickly set it down and picked up another one.

She began eating, trying her best to keep her hands steady. 

“You’re supposed to put the napkin on your lap, dummy.” Nelly spoke again.

Maya stopped, realizing the napkin was still neatly folded beside her plate. She sighed softly, picked it up, and placed it on her lap just like the others.

Nelly giggled, leaning slightly toward her mother. “Gosh, I mean, how’s the countryside?” She probably spent her time climbing trees and chasing chickens. Isn’t that what they do in small towns?”

Mrs. Sterling chuckled softly behind her glass of wine.

Mr. Sterling cleared his throat then reached for his glass, and turned his attention to the man sitting calmly across from him.

“Mr. Ashford,” he began, smiling politely, “how’s the new launch going?”

Ethan, who had been quiet throughout the entire dinner, lifted his gaze from his plate.

“It’s going well,” he said simply.

That was all.

Maya glanced at him. He barely spoke, yet somehow his presence filled the room.

Mr. Sterling nodded approvingly. “Oh, that’s really good. I’m glad to hear that.”

“Thank you,” Ethan replied, taking a slow sip of his wine.

Across the table, Nelly leaned toward her mother and whispered something. Mrs. Sterling listened, sighed, and then nodded slowly. 

“Mr. Ashford,” Mrs. Sterling began, “I know what I’m about to say is a bit abrupt, but I just hope you wouldn’t mind.”

Ethan set his glass down gently. His hazel eyes lifted to meet hers.

“What is it?”

Mrs. Sterling smiled faintly. Her gaze moved toward Maya, who was barely eating.

“We know that the initial agreement was that you were to marry Nelly.”

Ethan didn’t react. He simply continued eating.

“But,” Mrs. Sterling said, straightening slightly, “there has been a change.” She looked at Maya. “We would like you that you get married to Maya instead.”