Chapter 3

3.

He certainly did take care of me.

In the ten years I was with him, I lived the most comfortable life. The best apartments, the best clothes, the best of everything.

But I also came to understand a harsh reality: my comfort was built on absolute obedience.

In Julian’s world, everything could be quantified. My value to him was his investment in me. The balance sheet was clear.

Even when Serena appeared, he made sure I wasn't publicly humiliated. At social events, I could still be on his arm, wearing the clothes he bought, appearing at New York's most exclusive galas.

But I knew my place in his heart was changing. It was becoming more and more hollow.

Back in the present, I brushed the snow from my shoulders and told Liam, "To put Mr. Sterling's mind at ease, I'll do the paternity test."

"Then I must be present,"

he said, his tone still that gentle, non-negotiable professional voice. "The chain of custody requires a third-party witness. I will arrange it at the forensic lab at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Everything will be done according to legal procedure."

"Fine."

He handed me his business card. "Also, Elena, I need to tell you a potentially unpleasant truth. Julian is about to get married. His fiancée is Serena Blackwell―from the Blackwell family in Boston."

My heart skipped a beat.

"Her family has deep connections in both politics and finance. This marriage, in a sense, is beneficial for the Sterling Group's IPO."

Liam paused, his gaze softening slightly. "I think this information should help you understand why the board and Julian himself are taking such a hard line on any matter that could interfere with their plans."

"It's not personal. It's a business decision."

I nodded. The truth was, before I left New York, I had already deleted all of Julian’s contact information, changed my number, and wiped my social media. If it weren’t for this chance encounter on a Chicago street, we probably would have never seen each other again.

His new wife must be his old flame―Serena.

I forced a smile. "Then please wish Mr. Sterling a happy marriage."

The snow fell harder, blanketing the entire city.

I buried my face in my wool scarf and turned to walk home along the snowy street.

Behind me, that cold, imposing gaze from the tower of power followed my every step.

Many years ago, on a snowy night on the Upper East Side, he had carried a drunk me through the streets and laid out his life plan very clearly.

"I will have a strategic marriage," he said bluntly. "Any relationship that doesn't generate business value is just a liability. I need an equal―an equal family, an equal class, equal interests."

"Do you understand?" He looked at me with a gaze that was both tender and cold.

I nodded. I was young then, still naive enough to believe love could change everything.

Later, I sobered up, then slowly sank back under his spell.

Only today did I finally, completely, understand.

The rules were made for substitutes like me.

But his old flame? She was outside the rules.

Even if she had nothing, she would still be his favorite.

Even if she had once abandoned him.