Stripping My Fiancé Of Everything

After I was officially recognized as the biological heir to the Sterling family, my father insisted I perform the opening dance at the charity gala. It was supposed to be my first show to the elite circles of the city.

But when I looked toward the three men I grew up withthe men who had promised to be my partnersthey all looked right past me. Simultaneously, they reached out their hands to Chloe.

Silas spoke first, his voice dripping with a practiced, condescending pity. "Look, youve just been brought back into the fold. Youre the 'real' daughter; your status is secure. But Chloes in a delicate spot right now. It would be too humiliating for her if no one chose her."

Julian gave a half-shrug, a playful smirk dancing on his lips. "Chloes an inch shorter than you, Tess. Makes for better photos. Im skipping you this time."

Then there was Oliver. We had survived the same foster care system together before I was adopted. He looked at me, his eyes cold. "Dont make a scene about this. Not tonight."

I stood there, paralyzed, as the rooms whispers began to swell. Then, Sebastianmy fianc, the man I was supposed to marry to consolidate two empiresstepped toward me. For a fleeting second, I thought he was finally going to announce our engagement to the world.

Instead, he brushed past my shoulder, his hand finding Chloes waist.

"Youre the biological Sterling heir," he murmured, loud enough for those nearby to hear. "Youre calculating, Tess. You have teeth. You dont need me to protect you. Chloe isn't like you."

The room tilted. Faces blurred into a sea of judgment. Facing their unanimous rejection, I simply nodded and forced a smile.

"Fine," I whispered to the empty space they left behind. "If you won't dance with me, Ill find someone else."

...

This dance was everything. It was my face, my reputation.

I had been lost to the world for twenty-two years, only rediscovered three years ago. This was the first major event hosted by the Sterling family where I was meant to take the leada public validation of my bloodline.

Sebastian knew exactly how much this meant to me. He knew the stakes. And yet, he didn't even look back as he led Chloe toward the center of the ballroom.

The atmosphere turned toxic. I stood rooted to the spot, my throat tightening. Watching Sebastian take Chloes hand, the mockery from the crowd began to close in like a physical weight.

"I heard the Vanguard and Sterling families were planning a merger through marriage," a woman whispered nearby. "I guess we were wrong about which daughter was getting the ring..."

"Looks like Sebastian is making a statement about who really holds his heart," another chimed in.

The music swelleda sweeping, romantic orchestral piece. Sebastian leaned down, listening to Chloe whisper something in his ear. His expression was soft, a look of genuine tenderness that I had never seen directed at me. Its funny how a mans entire silhouette softens when hes looking at someone he actually wants to protect.

With me, he was always "The Executioner of Wall Street"cold, hard, and unyielding. In his eyes, the daughter who crawled her way back into high society was too "shrewd" and "ambitious" to deserve a soft touch. To him, even my grief was a calculated performance.

My aunt, holding a champagne flute, drifted toward me. Half the room followed her gaze.

"Oh, look at our 'rightful' heiress, standing all alone," she cooed, her voice laced with venom. "Ive always said, some people just aren't born with the right spark. You come back, and your grandfather tries to hand you the world, but Chloe? She has that natural grace. You can take her title, dear, but you cant take her light."

Her words felt like a serrated blade across my skin. I gripped my glass until my knuckles turned white.

Before the gala, Sebastian had warned me that his every move was a signal to the markets. He said he couldn't publicly dance with me unless his parents gave their explicit blessing. I was anxious, but I told myself I understood. The balance of power between the Vanguard Group and the Sterlings was delicate.

So, I had prepared backups. I had asked Silas, Julian, and Oliver. They had all promised, quite readily, to be there for me.

I had predicted the beginningthat Sebastian might hesitate. I just hadn't predicted the endthat they would all defect to Chloe at once.

Sebastian wasn't worried about "family signals." He just didn't care about my dignity. He was too busy ensuring someone else felt safe.

The applause broke out as the first dance ended. Chloe was blushing, leaning into Sebastians shoulder. My three "childhood friends" were already surrounding them with champagne and praise.

Sebastian finally broke away and walked toward me. He didn't offer an apology. He just leaned in, his voice low.

"Chloes had a hard time lately. You came back and stepped right into the line of succession. She lost everything just because of a DNA test. Its just one dance, Tess. Youve always been the bigger person"

"If word of this gets out," I interrupted, my voice trembling with suppressed rage, "what will they say? That the Sterling heir is a joke who cant even command respect in her own house?"

He frowned. "Youre overthinking it. Who would dare laugh at a Sterling?" When I didn't respond, his voice dropped an octave. "Tess, youre strong. You can stand on your own two feet. Chloe can't. If I didn't choose her tonight, if I didn't show the world she still matters to me, shed be discarded by this family."

I looked down. He had no idea. The war for the Sterling succession had reached a breaking point. My father had made his terms clear: either I married into a family like the Vanguardsallowing my grandfather to gracefully push me out of the businessor he would "arrange" a marriage for me with some backwater tycoon to neutralize me forever.

I wanted to stay on the board. I wanted my seat. But this one dance had shattered my leverage.

Chloe hurried over, looking up at Sebastian with wide, watery eyes. "Sebastian, could you introduce me to the board members? Im not as... capable as my sister." She paused, biting her lip. "Tess has her little notebook. She tracks every executives influence, every scarce resource in the city... Oh! I didn't mean shes mercenary. Shes just... very thorough."

The smiles of the nearby socialites faltered.

"Tracking everyone's value? How charmingly cold," one whispered.

The blood in my veins turned to ice. That notebook was an assignment from my grandfather. He told me to study the players, to learn the strengths of our peers. Sebastian had even helped me with it.

Yet, he didn't say a word to defend me now. He let me become the villain of the ballroom.

Chloe tugged at his sleeve. "Did I say something wrong again? Im just so clumsy compared to her..."

Sebastian patted her head. "Its fine. Your sister has a 'grand vision.' She won't be petty enough to get angry at you."

He led her away to mingle.

"Sebastian" I started, but the whispers drowned me out.

"And here I was feeling sorry for her. Shes a shark."

I stood in the center of the hall, shivering despite the heat. I remembered the day I returned to the Sterling estate three years ago. It was pouring rain. My grandfather had left me standing outside the iron gates for hoursa test of my resolve.

That was the day I met Sebastian. He had walked out with an umbrella, held it over my head, and said, "Welcome home, kid. Ill look out for you."

Now, his umbrella was over someone else.

I set my glass down and walked toward the terrace. The night air was freezing, and the composure I had spent years building began to crack. My grandfather was returning to the country in seven days. If tonights humiliation reached him, it would be a devastating strike against my standing.

...

I stood there for a long time before heading back in. Oliver suddenly intercepted me.

"Tess, dont go over there."

I followed his gaze. Sebastian and Chloe were still dancing. Oliver thought I was going to cause a scene to win him back.

He was the only one who had known me before the Sterlings. We were in the trenches of the Southside Orphanage together. Back then, whenever they handed out apples, Id fight to get the biggest, reddest onejust so I could give it to him. I was afraid hed starve because he was too slow to fight for himself.

Later, after I was adopted, I saved every penny of my allowance and begged my parents to help him. I paid for his tuition at the most prestigious arts academy. I lifted him up until he became the renowned appraiser he is today.

But apparently, a weed from the mud can provide all the nutrients in the world, and it still won't be as precious as a "Golden Girl" like Chloe.

I tried to walk past him. He grabbed my wrist. "Listen to me. Sebastian made his choice. If you go up there now, youll only embarrass yourself more."

"Let go!"

I tried to wrench my arm away, but he held on tighter. In the struggle, my heel caught on the marble, and I lost my balance. I fell backward, my back hitting a stone pillar before I landed hard on my knees.

A sharp, white-hot pain exploded in my leg.

Oliver froze. "Was that necessary? Youve had everything these last three years. What does Chloe have left?"

Julian and Silas walked over. "What now?" Julian asked, his eyes landing on my bruising knees. "Tess, self-harming for sympathy? Thats low, even for you."

Silas gave a bored yawn. "Is there anything our Great Heiress won't do for attention? Were probably all in that little notebook of hers, just rungs on her ladder."

Julian rubbed his temples. "Tess, youve already taken Chloes life. Shes finally happy tonight. Cant you just stop being so dramatic? If you want the spotlight that badly," he said flatly, "fine. Ill give you one dance. Will that satisfy your ego?"

I scrambled to my feet, leaning against the pillar. "Get out of my way."

"Tess!" Julian lost his patience and grabbed my arm. "If it weren't for Silas and me protecting you when you first got here, you would have been eaten alive. Stop being ungrateful!"

I jerked my arm back instinctively, but he twisted my wrist with more force than he realized

Snap.

A sickening pop echoed in the quiet hallway. Agony flared from my wrist to my shoulder. I doubled over, gasping for air.

Julian flinched, looking at his own hands. "God, Tess! Why did you pull away so hard? Just to go chase after a man who doesn't want you?"

I gritted my teeth, clutching my right wrist with my left hand. Cold sweat broke out on my forehead.

Silas let out a cold laugh. "Its not a big deal. Our dear Tess has survived worse. A little scratch like that? Its nothing compared to the emotional trauma Chloes been through because of you."

The world was blurring, but I looked at him and laughed. "Youre right. Its not painful enough yet."

I let go of my wrist. The joint was already swelling, glowing a bruised purple. My forearm hung at a grotesque, unnatural angle. Like a snapped branch.

The smirk finally died on Silass face. He looked away, his stomach turning.

Julians voice was tight. "Stay there. Ill call a doctor."

"Dont bother," I croaked. "It would upset my grandfather if word got out."

"Youre insane!" Julian hissed. "You and your 'dignity.' Youre always calculating, always putting your 'big picture' over people's feelings. Just like the time Chloe had that fever and you locked her in the attic because you had guests to entertain. Youre cold, Tess. Youre a machine."

He turned and stormed off.

Silas shook his head. "Was it worth it, Tess? All this because no one wanted to dance with you? Or is this another bet to see who flinches first?"

I didn't answer. I walked toward the back corridor, leaning against the cold wall. I slid down until I was sitting on the floor. My left hand touched the swollen joint, and I screamed silently into my shoulder.

But I didn't let go. The pain was real. It was the only thing in this house that wasn't a lie.

...

At 9:00 PM, I returned to the villa. My father was waiting in his study, a cigar in hand.

"You saw what happened tonight," he said, not looking up. "Sebastian has no intention of marrying you."

I remained silent.

"Your grandfather is old. We need to settle your marriage immediately."

"I just went through a public breakup," I said, my voice hollow. "Im not in the right headspace for a wedding."

He looked up, his eyes sharp. "And what do you propose?"

"Send me to the Chicago office," I said. "Three years. After that, Ill marry whoever you want."

"Seven days," he countered. "Your grandfather returns in seven days. By then, I want to see you married to a 'suitable' partner."

The way he said "suitable" sent a chill down my spine. It didn't mean someone powerful or kind. It meant someone who would ensure my grandfather lost all hope in mesomeone who would prove I was willing to throw my future away on a whim.

Either a top-tier family that could swallow the Sterlings whole, or someone so beneath me that it would be a scandal. But who would take Sebastians "reject" without his permission?

...

10:30 PM. Outside the Sterling private hospital.

I had just finished getting my wrist reset when two familiar cars pulled up. Sebastian was helping Chloe out of the first car. She had a tiny band-aid on her finger and was wincing with every step.

Julian and Silas stepped out of the second car.

"Tess?" Chloe blinked, her eyes landing on the heavy cast on my right arm. "What happened to you?"

Sebastian looked up. When he saw the cast, his brow furrowed for a fraction of a second. Julian stood by Chloe, his face a mask of indifference. Silas leaned against his car, enjoying the show.

"Dislocated wrist," I said shortly, trying to walk past them.

"Tess," Chloe called out softly. "Dad said your wedding is set for seven days from now? Is that true?"

The air went still. Sebastians face hardened. "Seven days?" His voice was ice. "Tess, what kind of game are you playing? I never agreed to a date."

I stood in the shadows. It had been barely an hour since I left my fathers study. Chloe already knew, and she had "accidentally" leaked it to exactly the right person.

"Sebastian, I..." Chloes eyes welled with tears. "If you and Tess are really getting married... Ill be happy for you. I just didn't think it would be so soon..."

Sebastians frustration boiled over. He turned to Julian and Silas. "Take Chloe inside. Make sure that scratch doesn't get infected."

Julian nodded and stepped forward. Silas let out a slow, mocking whistle. "Well take care of Chloe. As for you, Sebastian..." He glanced at me. "Be careful. Someone who waits until after the party to go to the hospital for a broken bone is definitely plotting something."

Sebastian waited until they were inside before approaching me. He stared at my cast for two seconds, then spoke.

"Don't use these tactics, Tess. Your father wouldn't leak a date unless he was sure. Stop playing games."

I looked down at my arm. The pain had been worth it. It showed the difference between us. Chloe gets a scratch, and three men mobilize. I break a bone, and its a "tactic."

"Does it matter to you?" I asked, looking him in the eye.

"Does it matter?" He laughed, grabbing my chin and forcing me to look at him. "Everyone in this city knows youre mine. Now youre unilaterally announcing a wedding date? What do you think that makes me look like? Cancel it."

"And if its not a rumor?"

His grip tightened. "Tess, don't test me. I am not a pawn you can trap with a marriage license. If you don't want to break up, stop being so difficult."

"Then lets break up," I said.

The silence was deafening. He looked at me like I was a stranger. He knew me too wellor so he thought. He had taught me how to move in this world. He taught me when to hide my hand, when to endure, when to sacrifice pride for the win.

He once told me, "In this circle, a soft heart is a sin."

I had learned well. Too well.

"Tess, I taught you these methods so you could protect yourself. Not so you could become like the very people you hate."

I wanted to laugh. Like the people I hate? The difference was they knew they were sharks. I actually thought he was teaching me so I could stand beside him.

The ache in my wrist was dull now. The last wave of emotion for him finally died.

"Whatever I am now has nothing to do with you. Please, let go."

"Tess." His voice was calm, certain. "You can walk away now. But when you come crawling back, remember what I taught you: the most beautiful way to bow is to press your own head into the dirt."

I didn't stop. I got into my car and watched the hospital lights fade. My phone buzzed. It was a text from my father.

Wedding announcement sent to the press.

He was burning the bridges for me. I looked out the window toward the Sterling estate. I had already chosen a groom. And his name wasn't Sebastian.