Everyone in the Upper East Side circle knew I’d been obsessed with Asher Sterling since we were kids. He went to Exeter; I went to Exeter. He learned eight languages; I learned eight languages. He studied finance at Wharton; I studied finance at Wharton. The Sterling and Vance families were destined to merge. Our business empires were too intertwined; one couldn't survive without the other. But on our wedding day, Asher made a detour on his way to the altar. He flew straight to Paris to save his "one that got away"—the damsel in distress. We were childhood sweethearts, and now, we were the biggest joke in Manhattan. Wearing a custom Vera Wang gown worth eight figures, I walked down the aisle and completed the grand ceremony alone. That day, in the media frenzy that covered every tabloid, my name was placed before his for the first time. Idiot. Men are a dime a dozen in New York City. But a fully formed business empire? There’s only one of those. I didn't just want his body. I wanted his money. 1 Asher’s private jet had already taken off. I locked myself in the bridal suite at The Plaza and shed exactly one tear. My short-tempered father was cursing up a storm outside. Mr. Sterling, Asher’s father, was furiously making calls, demanding Asher be dragged back the second he landed. My phone buzzed with two messages. Asher: [Summer, wait for me. I’ll explain everything when I get back.] The second message was a photo of Asher. He was walking toward the boarding gate, head down, on the phone. He was wearing the bespoke tuxedo I had spent months perfecting with the designers. The tie I hand-picked hung loosely around his neck. His expression was gentle, his eyes full of that sickeningly sweet indulgence, as if he were softly coaxing the person on the other end of the line. Anyone seeing it would sigh and say, "That lucky girl." I zoomed in on the photo and stared at it for a long while. It was hard to let go. Truly. But I gave him a chance, and he made his choice. In chess, once you lift your finger from the piece, the move is final. I touched up my makeup, gathered the long train of my gown, opened the door, and flashed a perfect smile at the elders standing outside with their various expressions of horror. "The wedding proceeds as planned." 2 Asher returned to New York three days later. For the past seventy-two hours, I was the undisputed queen of traffic. From the New York Times to TMZ, everyone was discussing Sloane Vance, the heiress who was abandoned by Asher Sterling on her wedding day but insisted on completing the ceremony solo. Some lamented the coldness of the rich, some fought for justice on my behalf, and naturally, some gloated. Regardless, in the overwhelming press coverage, my name—Sloane Vance—was ranked ahead of Asher Sterling’s for the first time. To apologize to the Vance family, my father-in-law, Chairman Sterling, hosted a private dinner at their Hamptons estate. After the wine flowed, the atmosphere softened. Chairman Sterling raised his glass to me. "Summer, this toast is to you. "You really are Robert's daughter. Thank you for being decisive and protecting the reputation of both our families. "The Sterling family has wronged you. Rest assured, I will make this right." I lowered my eyes demurely and raised my glass. Just as I was about to speak, the banquet hall doors swung open. Asher walked in, looking travel-worn and exhausted. My dad saw him and his face darkened. He slammed his glass down on the table. The massive hall went silent. Chairman Sterling glared at my dad, gritted his teeth, and barked at Asher: "On your knees!" Asher walked up to my father, step by step, and bowed slightly. "Dad, I was wrong." My father scoffed coldly and didn't respond. Asher straightened up and placed a document on the table. "I’m here to make amends. "While in the States, using my status as the Vance family son-in-law, I represented Vance Corp and signed the acquisition deal with the Bellamy Group." 3 Vance Corp had been fighting for the Bellamy partnership for six months. All details were finalized, but Bellamy kept stalling the signature. My dad had gone gray worrying about this deal. I had to admit, Asher knew how to play psychological warfare. Presenting this contract was a massive offering to Vance Corp. My dad choked on his anger. Facing Asher now, he couldn't stay mad, but he couldn't exactly smile either. Asher stood there, hands clasped, eyes lowered, the picture of calm confidence. Chairman Sterling exhaled in relief and started a slow clap. "Robert, how about that? My son isn't useless after all, is he? "Helping you secure Bellamy in one go... he deserves some credit." With Chairman Sterling leading, the guests awkwardly joined in the applause. The atmosphere began to warm up. But, Asher... you humiliated my family on a global stage. Did you really think a contract would wipe the slate clean? I frowned, let my eyes redden, and walked up to him, looking him up and down. "Asher, why are you still wearing your wedding tux? "Was taking care of Miss Rose so exhausting that you didn't even have time to change?" The hall fell dead silent. Asher’s smile froze. I forced a brave smile and pushed him gently toward the exit. "Go shower, change your clothes, and get some rest. "Don't worry. I'll handle things here." Behind me, a hand slammed onto a table. I didn't need to look; I knew it was my dad. Chairman Sterling’s voice boomed: "Freeze! You aren't going anywhere!" In the standoff, a frail figure burst in from the entrance and threw herself between Asher and me. "Don't make things hard for Asher. "It's my fault. It's all my fault." 4 The intruder was the culprit who made Asher abandon me at the altar—his "first love," Serena Rose. It was late autumn, yet Serena was wearing a thin, white cotton dress, her slender body shivering. In front of everyone, Asher didn't hesitate. He took off his jacket and wrapped it around her. "Didn't I tell you to wait in the car? Why did you come in? "Are you cold?" Serena’s face was ghostly pale. She leaned into Asher’s chest, eyes red. "Asher, don't fight with your father over me. It's not worth it. "I don't have much time left to live. I can't leave you with a mess." Before she could finish, Serena began coughing violently. Asher’s brow furrowed deeply. Without a word, he scooped Serena up into his arms. "Rena, don't be afraid. I'm taking you to Mount Sinai Hospital." Ignoring everyone in the room, Asher lowered his head, whispering comforts to Serena as he walked out. "Asher Sterling! Stop right there!" Chairman Sterling was shaking with rage. "If you walk out that door, you are cut off from the Sterling family legacy! Everything!" Asher stopped. He turned, looking coldly at his father. "My biggest regret is letting you send Rena to Europe back then. "Do you think you can still control me like you did when I was a teenager?" Chairman Sterling’s face turned purple, but he couldn't speak. My dad shook his head. "Arthur, it seems you can't control the Sterling heir anymore." Asher looked at my dad and smirked. "Dad, the first thing I did upon landing wasn't checking Rena into the hospital—it was bringing you the Bellamy contract. "That is my sincerity for the future of our families. "Some things are better left unsaid." He turned to me, his eyes icy. "Sloane, I promised to marry you, and I did. "You have the title of Mrs. Sterling. I guarantee you a life of luxury. "But love? I advise you not to ask for it." With that, he carried Serena out without looking back. Curled in his arms, Serena glanced back over his shoulder, staring straight at me. The corner of her mouth lifted in a microscopic smirk.
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