Chapter 1

At the Manhattan's elite gala, Father told me to lead the opening dance.

The three childhood friends who'd promised me weeks ago—all of them avoided my eyes and walked straight toward the fake heiress, Fiona Foster.

"Fiona's position is awkward. If no one picks her, it'd be humiliating."

I stood there, watching Xavier—heir to the Sterling family—approach.

I thought he'd finally announce our engagement publicly, but he leaned in and whispered an apology.

"You're calculating, Evelyn. You have means. You're the Foster family's true heiress—you don't need my protection. But Fiona's different."

I grabbed his hand. He pulled away, walking toward Fiona anyway.

When Fiona looked past everyone else and took Xavier's hand, the crowd started their commentary:

"So she was waiting for Mr. Sterling all along. No wonder she ignored everyone else."

"The Foster heir and the Sterling heir—two future powerhouses. A match made in heaven!"

Everyone congratulated my father. But his face went black.

They didn't know—everyone in the Foster family was hoping I'd fall in love, so they could hand my inheritance to the fake heiress without a fight.

...

This opening dance represented the Foster family's reputation.

I'd been lost for twenty-two years. Found and brought home only three years ago.

This was the first time the Foster family hosted a gala where I was asked to lead—a recognition of my identity.

Xavier knew exactly how much this meant to me.

But he still walked toward Fiona without looking back.

The atmosphere turned strange.

I stood rooted, throat tightening.

Watching Xavier take Fiona's hand and step into the center of the dance floor.

The spotlight followed them.

The mockery chased after me:

"I heard the Sterling and Foster families were planning an alliance. Guess we know who the real match is now. We all thought it'd be the noble true heiress..."

"Looks like Mr. Sterling came tonight to back his future fiancée..."

The music started.

Xavier lowered his head slightly, listening to something Fiona was saying.

His gaze—tender in a way I'd never seen before.

Turns out when someone truly cares about another person, even their eyes soften involuntarily.

And me? I only ever got to see the ruthless business king side of Xavier Sterling.

After all, in his eyes, I was the daughter who clawed her way back into the Foster family halfway through—

Scheming. Calculating.

Even my sadness looked performative.

My aunt swayed over with a wine glass, half the ballroom watching.

"Well, well. Our legitimate Foster heiress standing all alone?"

"Some people just aren't born with that kind of luck, you know."

"Your grandfather gave you the best of everything the second you came back, but Fiona—she's naturally blessed. Even after you pushed her aside, she still manages to take everything."

Aunt's words scraped past my ears like blades.

I tightened my grip on the wine glass.

Before the gala, Xavier had told me—his position was delicate. Every move he made sent a signal for his family. Unless the Sterling elders gave a clear stance, he wouldn't dance with me publicly.

I was anxious, but I understood his difficulty.

After all, in Manhattan, the balance between the Sterling and Foster families was fragile.

If he asked me for the first dance, it would be picking a side.

So I'd prepared ahead of time.

I'd asked each of my three childhood friends separately to dance with me at this gala.

They'd all agreed. No hesitation.

But when the lights came up, they all walked toward Fiona instead.

I'd guessed the beginning. I just didn't guess the ending.

Xavier did avoid dancing with me, the Foster heiress.

He just walked toward a different member of the Foster family instead.

Turns out there was no family signal.

He just didn't want to protect my dignity. He wanted to give someone else security.