When I realized Arthur Sterling, the billionaire I was dating, was cheating on me with a young model, I didn’t throw a fit. I personally drove her to the clinic for a full STD panel. When Arthur was cornered by paparazzi outside a luxury hotel, I calmly contacted the media executives and paid them off to kill the story. Even when his shiny new mistress showed up at my front door to taunt me, I simply smiled and handed her a meticulously detailed list of his daily preferences and dietary restrictions. Everyone in our elite social circle whispered that my love for Arthur had completely eroded my dignity. They said I was so desperate to cling to him that I would swallow any humiliation. What they didn't know was that I had deliberately orchestrated Chloe's introduction to him. And what they definitely didn't know was just how insanely generous Arthur became whenever he felt guilty about cheating. Medical bills: half a million. Crisis PR fees: two million. The sheer volume of high-end jewelry and designer bags he showered me with as "apology gifts" was staggering. Over the years, I had quietly amassed hundreds of millions in my private bank accounts. I owned luxury real estate in prime locations all over the world. After a solid ten-year career as a top-tier sugar baby, it was finally time for me to officially retire. When Arthur proposed to Chloe, I was curled up on the sofa of my Bel Air mansion, binge-watching Netflix. He had transferred the deed of this estate to me just a few weeks prior. It was his "compensation" after Chloe intentionally shoved me down a flight of stairs, causing me to miscarry. I ripped open a bag of sour cream and onion potato chips, watching my phone screen light up as notifications from our mutual friends' group chat poured in. "Arthur really went all out for Chloe." "A true wedding of the century. Even Serena never got this kind of treatment back in the day." "I think Arthur is actually serious this time." "Chloe bullied Serena relentlessly, and Arthur never even raised his voice at Chloe once." "Is Serena going to get kicked to the curb? She’s so obsessed with Arthur, if he throws her out, she might actually jump off a building." The potato chip crunched loudly in my mouth. Savoring the greasy, high-calorie satisfaction, I couldn't help but smile. I was about to scroll down to read more when the heavy oak door suddenly swung open. Arthur walked in. He glanced at the bag of chips in my hand, his brow furrowing deeply in disgust. "Serena, I despise the smell of junk food." As an elite-level sugar baby, providing flawless emotional support and maintaining a pristine, model-like figure were basic job requirements. I instantly slipped into my well-practiced, submissive persona, offering a sweet, compliant smile. "I know." "I just thought you weren't coming back tonight..." Arthur paused mid-step. The harshness in his eyes softened considerably. "I just came back to grab the keys to the ancestral estate." "Your body hasn't fully recovered yet. Stop eating that garbage." "Chloe really needs our housekeeper, Maria, over at her place right now. Use this money and hire a new maid for yourself." After the wire transfer cleared, he walked over to the wall safe and punched in the code. Along with the keys, he pulled out the Sterling family’s heirloom emerald bracelet. Before she died, Arthur’s mother had explicitly ordered that the bracelet be given only to the true, legitimate matriarch of the Sterling family. It looked like Arthur had finally made his choice. I felt a fleeting twinge of regret over losing such a valuable piece, but I quickly forced an understanding, bittersweet smile. "You don't need to do that, Mr. Sterling." "What you've given me over these past few years is more than enough." Arthur froze. "What did you just call me?" I lowered my eyes, refusing to say another word. He let out a heavy sigh, walked over, and gently cupped my cheek. "Serena, don't overthink this." "You've been with me for so many years. I would never mistreat you." His touch was surprisingly tender. But the moment his thumb brushed against the faint, barely visible crow's feet forming at the corner of my eye... he quietly pulled his hand away. "I'm taking Chloe to stay at the ancestral estate for a few days, so I won't be coming by here." "Take care of yourself." The ancestral estate? I raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised. I knew Arthur was infatuated with Chloe. But I never imagined their relationship had progressed to that specific milestone. Chapter 2 The ancestral estate was Arthur’s absolute forbidden zone. The socialites in our circle always mocked me, saying I was pathetic because I couldn't live without Arthur. And honestly, they were entirely right. They were heiresses born with silver spoons in their mouths. Even if a man dumped them, they had massive family trusts and corporate empires to fall back on. I had nothing. I was just a charity case—a girl from a dirt-poor neighborhood sponsored by the Sterling Family Foundation. When I was eighteen, I got accepted into Columbia University on a full academic scholarship, and was invited to the Sterling estate for a formal dinner. That was the exact same day Arthur’s mother—a woman envied by all of New York high society—jumped from the roof of the mansion, driven to suicide by the relentless humiliation of her husband's blatant affairs. She plummeted from the sky. Her blood splattered directly across my face, and Arthur’s. The trauma gave Arthur severe, crippling PTSD. He became terrified of the color red, and the sound of anything heavy hitting the floor would trigger violent panic attacks. Every night, the moment he closed his eyes, he would see his mother lying in a pool of blood in front of him. He smashed every mirror in his bedroom, and absolutely refused to ever step foot in the ancestral estate again. His grandfather brought in the best psychiatrists in the world, but nothing worked. In sheer desperation, the old man finally came to me. "Serena, the only time Arthur ever manages to find any peace is when you are sitting quietly beside him." "I am begging you. Please stay and keep him company." Perhaps it was because we had both witnessed the exact same, horrific nightmare. Arthur trusted me implicitly. He silently allowed me to stay by his side. My heart ached for this pale, shattered, broken boy. And I was profoundly grateful for everything the Sterling family had done to pull me out of poverty. I wanted to do whatever I could to help. When Arthur couldn't sleep, I would sit on the edge of his bed and stay awake with him all night. When Arthur couldn't eat, I spent hours researching recipes and slowly coaxing him to take a few bites of soup. When he woke up screaming in the dead of night, I would hold his shaking hands and sit with him until the sun came up. In those early years, there was no Chloe. There were no calculated power plays or financial manipulations. It was just him and me. Like two wounded animals trapped in the dark, holding onto each other just to survive. I knew that with my background, I could never legally become Mrs. Sterling. But. When Arthur’s fingers gently brushed through my hair. When our lips touched, and he whispered that he loved me. When he casually dropped hundreds of thousands of dollars to buy out every florist in the city just to make me smile. A tiny, foolish sliver of hope couldn't help but bloom in my heart. That naive hope survived right up until my 25th birthday. After we made love, Arthur casually reached out and pinched a tiny, imperceptible bit of softness on my waist. He leaned back against the headboard, offering a silent, mocking smirk. "Serena, you're gaining weight." "If you don't start managing your figure, you might not get your allowance next month." My brain buzzed with static. In a single second, I plummeted from a romantic fantasy straight into the brutal reality. That was the exact moment I finally woke up. No matter how well Arthur treated me. No matter how deep my feelings were for him. In his eyes, I was just a woman selling her body. A low-class mistress who could never be brought out into the light. He could never genuinely love someone like me. And he would certainly never marry me. But I also knew Arthur would never just let me walk away. The Sterling heir was born a tyrant. Even if he didn't want a toy anymore, he would rather break it than let anyone else touch it. I refused to drown in a toxic, dead-end relationship. I needed to secure my own exit strategy before he eventually grew completely disgusted with me. That was exactly when Chloe stumbled into my line of sight. She was bright, lively, and vibrant—instantly capturing every ounce of Arthur’s attention. I strategically leaked small details, carefully molding her into the exact archetype of the woman Arthur desired most. Chapter 3 Just like that, the two of them naturally gravitated toward each other. But Chloe wasn't satisfied with sharing a man. She wanted to crush me, take my place, and become the one and only Mrs. Sterling. So, she aggressively went out of her way to target and humiliate me. And the more she bullied me, the more guilt Arthur felt. The more guilt Arthur felt, the larger the "compensation" checks became. It got to the point where I accumulated enough wealth to comfortably retire my sugar baby career long before my youth and beauty faded. My phone screen lit up. Another massive compensation wire transfer had just cleared. I stared at the long string of zeros. Any lingering bitterness in my heart was instantly swept clean. This arrangement was perfect. She gets the love. I get the cash. We both get exactly what we want. Everyone wins. After seeing Arthur out, I started liquidating and organizing my asset portfolio. Two hundred million dollars in liquid cash. More than enough to ensure a life of absolute luxury for the rest of my days. Once everything was confirmed, I booked a first-class ticket to Switzerland. The flight was scheduled to depart in exactly three days. Once I tied up a few loose ends here, I would finally be free. I had barely confirmed my flight itinerary when Arthur called. I briefly panicked, wondering if he had discovered my plans. Instead, his voice came through the speaker, barking an absolute, non-negotiable order. "Come to the ancestral estate." "Chloe hasn't had much of an appetite lately, and she specifically asked for your signature seafood bisque." I let out a quiet sigh of relief. I didn't argue. I just changed my clothes and drove straight to the estate. The Sterling ancestral home hadn't seen this much life in years. The massive circular driveway was packed with luxury cars. Arthur’s grandfather’s booming laughter echoed from the grand hall, completely unrestrained. "Excellent! The Sterling legacy continues!" "You've played the field for years, boy, but it seems you've finally decided to settle down!" Chloe sat in the center of the crowd, one hand resting delicately on her flat stomach. Arthur sat right beside her, smiling warmly as he peeled an orange for her. They were surrounded by fawning, sycophantic guests. I was more than used to being the ignored outcast standing in the shadows. But when I heard Arthur and his friends excitedly throwing out baby names for the child in Chloe's belly... I couldn't stop myself from looking down at my own flat stomach. There used to be a child there, too. My flesh and blood. And Arthur's. On the day Chloe intentionally shoved me down that flight of stairs, I was already three months pregnant. When the dark blood began pooling between my legs on the cold marble floor, I was terrified out of my mind. Panicking and helpless, I desperately called Arthur’s phone. I called him over a dozen times. The only response I got was the sound of Chloe's loud, passionate moaning echoing through his voicemail. It wasn't until the next afternoon that Arthur finally learned about my miscarriage from his assistant. He didn't offer any elaborate explanations or apologies. He only said two sentences to me. "It's probably for the best. Saves us a lot of complicated drama." "Make sure you remember to take your birth control from now on." After saying that, he transferred the deed of the Bel Air mansion into my name. At the time, I forced a smile and comforted myself. Trading an unborn child for a piece of real estate worth over fifty million dollars. A highly profitable transaction. But right now, seeing the overflowing tenderness in Arthur’s eyes, seeing him look so genuinely thrilled at the prospect of being a father... An unfamiliar, sharp pang of profound sorrow unexpectedly gripped my chest. "Why are you just getting here?" Arthur’s voice shattered my memories. His gaze swept coldly over my pale face, eventually pointing toward the massive kitchen. "The seafood has already been prepped. Chloe is incredibly sensitive to fishy smells right now, so make sure you're careful when you cook it." I smiled. I was a sugar baby. A mistress. I didn't have the luxury or the right to throw a tantrum. I nodded and obediently walked into the kitchen. Behind me, a wave of poorly disguised, mocking laughter erupted. "Oh my god, look at our pathetic little 'Mrs. Sterling', playing the dutiful housewife." Chapter 4 "Her man is literally marrying and having a baby with someone else, and not only does she not make a scene, she actually comes over to cook for the new girl." "What 'man'? Mr. Sterling never married her. She's just a glorified high-end escort he kept around." "Now that Mr. Sterling has a legitimate fiancée, it's only a matter of time before she gets kicked to the curb!" I had heard these exact insults a thousand times before. I washed my hands and dropped the sliced ginger into the simmering pot. In my head, I silently counted down the days until my flight. I was so lost in thought that I didn't notice Arthur's assistant approach until he tapped me on the shoulder. He forcefully grabbed my hands and dunked them into a bucket of medical-grade sanitizer sitting on the counter. Then, he handed me a black surgical mask, explaining with complete apathy: "The future Mrs. Sterling stated that she is a germaphobe. She believes women of your 'profession' are unsanitary, so she mandates that you undergo full decontamination before entering the house." "She also mentioned that the mere sight of your face makes her lose her appetite. She requires you to wear this mask at all times in her presence." "Furthermore, once the bisque is finished, you are to leave through the service entrance." "Tonight is a private family celebration. You are not authorized to be at the table." Ah, these petty, high school mean-girl tactics. I was completely numb to them by now. Not too long ago, Chloe had demanded I get on my knees and wash her feet. Wearing a face mask was absolutely nothing in comparison. Besides, as long as the direct deposits kept clearing, I didn't care. I nodded compliantly. I slipped the mask on and went back to stirring the bisque. Chloe was incredibly demanding. One minute she complained it was too hot, the next she whined that it smelled too fishy. I had to remake the bisque four separate times. By the time I was finished, my hands were covered in painful, burning blisters from the hot stove. Only then did she finally act satisfied and permit me to leave. The ancestral estate was located in a remote, gated community. By the time I finally made it back to my Bel Air mansion, it was past midnight. My body still hadn't fully recovered from the physical trauma of the miscarriage. I laid in bed, suffering through rolling waves of pelvic pain for hours before finally drifting into a restless, feverish sleep. I had barely fallen asleep when a sudden, blinding pain shot through my wrist. Arthur was standing over my bed, his face twisted in terrifying, demonic fury. He violently yanked me up by my arm, practically dragging me out of bed. "What the fuck did you put in that soup?!" "Chloe has been in agonizing stomach pain ever since she drank it!" I was completely disoriented, groggy and confused. "I have no idea what you're talking about!" Arthur glared at me, letting out a chilling, cruel sneer. "Drop the innocent act. I know exactly what kind of trash you are." "You're exactly like the diseased whores who drove my mother to suicide. For money, for status, there is no line you won't cross!" "You failed to trap me with a baby, so now you're trying to murder the child in Chloe's womb?!" His grip on my wrist was crushing my bones. The aggressive movement sent a sharp, stabbing agony straight through my still-healing abdomen. My survival instinct kicked in, and I shoved him backward, screaming: "Arthur, are you out of your fucking mind?! Chloe's stomachache has absolutely nothing to do with me!" "She murdered my baby first! Even if something does happen to her, it's just karma finally catching up to her!" The second the words left my mouth, a brutal, ringing slap crashed against my face. Arthur lunged forward, wrapping his hand around my throat, his eyes blazing with murderous intent. "Serena, who the fuck gave you the right to insult Chloe?!" "Do you honestly think a piece of trash like you can even be compared to her?" "Chloe is from a respectable family. She is pure and innocent." "And you? You are literally a dog I bought and paid for. A cheap whore who will spread her legs for anyone with a checkbook." "If I'm in a good mood, I'll throw you a bone. If you piss me off, I can end your miserable existence in a heartbeat!" Roaring, Arthur violently ripped the front of my silk nightgown open. He raised his hand, preparing to strike me again, when his phone suddenly rang. He answered it, and whatever the person on the other end said... The homicidal rage on his face instantly melted into frantic, desperate panic. He turned and sprinted toward the door. Right before he crossed the threshold, he paused and glared back at me.
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