Chapter 5

The Warrens exchanged puzzled glances. No one had expected me to stand my ground, especially not against Beatrice, the matriarch of the family. "She’ll come around. She doesn’t have a choice," Evelyn said coldly, her confidence unwavering. And in their minds, she was right. I had no family left. My parents were gone, my inheritance spent on Adrian’s dreams, and the life I had built was tied to this family. On paper, I was still Adrian’s fiancée, and they had never laid a hand on me. But mistreatment came in many forms. Early the next morning, I left the Warren estate with Anna, my childhood friend and the only person who had stayed by my side. Returning to my family’s estate after so long was like stepping into a ghost town. The once-grand mansion was bleak, covered in fallen leaves, its gardens overrun with weeds. Just six months of neglect had turned it into a place of sorrow and abandonment. My chest tightened as I stepped onto the cracked stone pathway. Six months ago, I had collapsed when I learned my family had been betrayed and torn apart. I had held my mother’s lifeless body in my arms, her warmth already fading. Every corner of this estate had been drenched in grief. Now, as I stood in the family chapel, my fingers traced the edges of the memorial plaques set for my parents and ancestors. Anna and I had brought fresh flowers, our silent tribute to the people we had lost. I knelt before their plaques, my hands trembling, but my heart steady. "Dad, Mom, if you can hear me… forgive me for what I’m about to do. I once dreamed of a peaceful life, of love, of a future built on trust. But I know now that Adrian is not the man to build that future with. I promise you I will survive. Anna and I will find our own way." Beside me, Anna sobbed quietly, her shoulders shaking. But there was no turning back. By midday, we were standing at the grand gates of the Sterling Residence. The golden sun hung high, merciless in its heat, but I didn’t move. I wouldn’t leave until I had done what I came here to do. An hour passed. No one came to let us in. Anna glanced at me, her voice laced with worry. "Miss, what if the Governor won’t see you? Maybe he thinks you’re here to challenge his decision. You haven’t eaten since yesterday. Please, let me at least get you something." I shook my head, my eyes locked on the towering gates. "I’m not hungry." The only thing I felt was the unwavering resolve to take my life back. "Please, Miss, don’t be so hard on yourself. It’s not worth getting sick over. Why not let it go?" Anna's voice was quiet, almost pleading. "You’re still Adrian’s rightful fiancée. Even if Vivian gets a title, she’ll always be second to you. Maybe it’s best to endure it?" I turned to her, my voice cold. "Anna, if you're going to talk like that, don't speak at all." She sighed, looking away, lost in her own thoughts. I knew she only wanted what was best for me. She had hoped that when Adrian returned, things would finally fall into place. But instead, they had only gotten worse. … In his private office, Logan Sterling leaned back in his chair as his assistant, Victor Carter, cleared his throat. "Sir, Miss Sinclair is still waiting outside the gates. This is the third time I’ve come to tell you." Logan exhaled slowly, rubbing his temples. "I can’t see her. The arrangement has been made. I can’t take it back now. Tell her to go home." "The guards already tried, sir. She refused to leave. She’s been standing there for over an hour without moving." A flicker of something guilt, maybe crossed Logan’s face, but it was gone just as quickly. "Adrian asked for this arrangement as a reward for his achievements. I didn’t want to approve it, but rejecting it would have embarrassed both him and Vivian. They’ve both worked hard." Victor hesitated before responding. "If we’re talking about true contributions, the Sinclair family has given more than anyone. Cassandra’s father practically built the foundation of this city’s security." Logan’s jaw tensed. He remembered Hector Sinclair well. When Logan had first entered the world of business, Hector had been one of the few men willing to mentor him. And Cassandra he remembered her, too. As a child, she had been delicate, quiet, always watching from the sidelines. He could still picture her with her fair skin and soft brown eyes, too young to understand the brutal nature of the world she had been born into. Logan had fought his way to the top, stepping over competition, making ruthless choices. He understood the cost of power. When Adrian requested this marriage, Logan had hesitated. But ultimately, he had granted it. It was a simple business decision. Besides, aside from his brother the infamous "Ice King" of the financial world there were few people in this city who could handle the level of power Adrian was being given. Cassandra’s father had built an empire, but his absence left gaps Adrian was eager to fill. Still, Victor was right. In terms of sacrifice and contribution, Cassandra’s family had given far more than Adrian ever had. Logan sighed. "Fine. Let her in. If she agrees to this arrangement, I’ll grant her whatever she wants. A position. A company. A title. Whatever it takes." Victor let out a breath. "As always, sir, you know best."