Chapter 4

The words hit me like a splash of freezing water, snapping me violently out of the illusion.

Right.

We were never a family.

Carter was a lying, cheating narcissist who would have an illegitimate child with his mistress in a few years.

"Mommy won't soften her heart."

"Leo, no matter what happens, Mommy loves you more than anything in the world."

The peaceful facade held all the way back to the car.

The moment the engine turned over, Carter couldn't wait to ask, "When are you sending Leo back? The wedding is tomorrow morning. Your aunt isn't still obsessing over Chloe, is she?"

I gently brushed the damp hair off Leo's forehead. "Tomorrow. My aunt is attending the ceremony anyway."

"As for Chloe, let her be. Unless someone with deep pockets is backing her, she can't even afford to fly back."

Carter didn't say a word, but a smug, quiet smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

The next morning, the wedding day arrived.

Bridal photos, family toasts, the formal greetings—everything proceeded exactly according to our rehearsed schedule. On the surface, it was the socialite wedding of the decade.

The only difference was the massive media presence I had personally invited.

TV crews and high-profile journalists packed the lobby, their flashes popping in endless waves.

Once the red carpet greeting concluded, Carter headed up to the hotel suites to change into his evening tuxedo.

Leo caught my eye and gave me a subtle nod.

I knew. Carter was slipping away to see Chloe.

According to the original plan, I was supposed to remain in the ballroom, making polite small talk with the press and answering questions about the grand merger between the Vance and Sterling family empires.

I was supposed to wait until Carter finished changing before heading up to put on my bridal gown.

Instead, I turned to the battery of microphones with a brilliant smile.

"Everyone, Carter just texted saying he's already in his suite. There's no fun in interviewing just me."

"Why don't you all come upstairs with me? We can do an exclusive joint couple's interview right now."

The journalists could hardly believe their luck. A private suite interview with the billionaire heirs was ten times more valuable than canned soundbites in the lobby. Several top digital media influencers asked if they could livestream it, and I gladly agreed.

I casually motioned for both sets of parents to follow along.

"Mom, Dad, Mr. and Mrs. Sterling—as the heads of our families, it’s only right that you join us for the announcement."

I led the massive entourage straight up the VIP elevators.

The penthouse corridor was lined with sound-dampening wool carpets, and the suite doors were thick, heavy mahogany.

Carter had no idea what was marching toward him.

Carter's mother raised her hand to ring the doorbell, but I caught her wrist with a gentle laugh.

"Don't worry about ringing, Mrs. Sterling."

"Carter knows we're coming. I'll just swipe the master keycard."

I flashed my phone screen at her, showing a text I had sent Carter three minutes ago.

She nodded, suspecting nothing.

She couldn't have imagined in her wildest nightmares that her golden boy was too busy rolling in bed with another woman on his wedding day to ever look at his phone.

Before unlocking the door, I turned back to the crowded press corps with an apologetic smile.

"The suite has limited space, everyone. Once the door opens, please find your own camera angles. May the best lens win."

The photographers exchanged hungry glances, adjusting their gear.

*Beep.*

The lock clicked green.

In a split second, the wave of journalists surged past the threshold like a tidal wave.

Carter's mother stepped inside, frowning at the pitch-black living room. The only light spilled from the half-open bedroom door at the end of the hall.

Before she could process it, a blood-curdling screech ripped through the suite.

"AHHHH!"

"Get out! Get the hell out!"

"Who are you?! What are you filming?!"