The Sterling Debt Chapter 2

Ava’s pupils contracted, a flicker of shock in her serene gray eyes. After a beat of stunned silence, a low laugh escaped her lips.

“Cole, you have nothing,” she said, the amusement in her voice sharp as glass. “If you want to maintain the life you’re accustomed to, what other choice do you have besides marrying me?” She stepped closer, her tone softening into practiced condescension. “Stop being dramatic. I know you’re just spooked by all that anti-marriage talk online. I promise, I will make you the undisputed power in the Sterling family.”

She could see the agony in my eyes, could read the tremor of betrayal in my hands. And yet, all she could offer was a dismissive, “Stop making a scene.”

From my bag, I took out the small, polished mahogany box I had carried for years. “The Sterling emerald. It belongs to your family.” I held it out to her. “It should be returned. After all, I’m no longer your future husband.”

For the first time, her composure cracked. “You’ve worn this for ten years, Cole. You don’t just give it back.” Her voice was tight. “Who else would be my husband, if not you?”

I pulled my hand back from her grasp, my jaw set. In the clumsy push and pull, the emerald pendant slipped from my fingers. It hit the marble floor with a sickening crack, splintering into a dozen green shards.

The sound of it breaking seemed to snap the last thread of her patience. She looked down at the shattered heirloom, then up at me, her gaze imperious and cold. “If you don’t like it, we can get another one. There’s no need to take your anger out on a thing.”

A hollow laugh escaped me. “You see? Even your family’s legacy is broken. We’re done, Ava.”

As I turned to leave, I saw it in my periphery—her hand instinctively reaching out for me, just like it always did after every fight we ever had.

But then, Leo’s smooth voice cut in. “Ava, honey, the guy’s on edge. Chasing after him now will only make it worse.” He patted the seat next to him. “Give him some space. He’ll come around when he realizes nobody on earth will ever treat him better than you do.”

Ava’s hand froze in mid-air. Then, slowly, it fell to her side.

I walked out without looking back.

The moment the elevator doors slid shut, the strength I’d been feigning crumbled. Hot tears streamed down my face, silent and searing. The girl from my memory, the one who would hold my face in her hands after the smallest disagreement and whisper, “I love you the most, don't you dare upset yourself,” would never have let me leave in tears.

Now, she couldn’t even be bothered to take a single step after me.

My phone screen lit up, a series of texts from her, one after another.

The transfer of the company shares to Leo is already in motion. But don’t worry, you can keep the townhouse.

Stop being sad. It’s not good for you.

I’ve had legal draw up the papers. Be here at 10 a.m. tomorrow to sign.

I stared at the words, a suffocating weight pressing down on my chest. How can you claim to love someone and stand by while they are stripped of everything? Not only did she humiliate me, but she had the audacity to frame it as an act of charity.

The most laughable part? She was juggling a clandestine affair with Leo while discussing wedding dates with me, and never once did her mask of affection slip.

Back at the townhouse, I was packing the last of my belongings into a box when the front door was kicked open with brutal force.

Leo strolled in, flanked by two imposing men in dark suits. He gave me a theatrical shrug. “Don’t be mad, buddy. Ava insisted I come. She said she wanted her things back.”