I Married His Uncle for Revenge

Chapter 7

The past few days with Quentin Sterling had been surprisingly… peaceful. His composed, almost reserved demeanor balanced perfectly with my more spirited, open nature. In no time, we'd fallen into a comfortable rhythm, as if we'd been friends for years.

It wasn't until my best friend texted me that I realized the world outside was completely clueless:

"Bianca! I heard you and Ethan Sterling finally made it official! 👰‍♀️🥂 When's the wedding? I'm ready to be your maid of honor!"

My heart lurched as I opened Ethan's social media. His profile photo had changed to a candid shot of me, and his bio now read, "Bianca Northwood, the love of my life." What was this? The very public declaration I'd chased in my past life was now his Hail Mary to win me back?

"Director Northwood, your coffee," Mei's voice pulled me back to reality. I took the cup and turned toward the conference room—just in time for the elevator doors to fling open.

"Bianca Northwood!"

Stella stormed in behind a cloud of fury, her hair a tangled mess and her eyes wild. "How dare you steal Ethan from me!" She yanked a vase off the reception desk and swung it at me.

But before the vase could connect, Ethan lunged forward, using his body as a shield. "Are you insane?" he snarled, twisting Stella's wrist. The vase shattered at her feet, and Stella staggered back, clutching her midsection. A red stain blossomed on her skirt.

"Blood… so much blood," she whispered, lifting her skirt to reveal the dark crimson spreading across the lobby tiles. Panic erupted around us—someone gasped, "Is she pregnant?"

Ethan's face went ashen, but he spun to me immediately. "Bianca, let me explain—that night in the car—"

"Enough," I said, voice cold. "Your concern should be for the woman bleeding on the floor."

Stella let out a hysterical laugh. "Ethan Sterling! You just killed your own child!" She clawed at the fabric of my pants. "Happy now, Bianca?"

Right then, my phone buzzed. Quentin's name flashed on the screen.

Quentin: "I'm downstairs at your office. We've got that engagement ring appointment today."

Ethan froze, his lips parting in shock.

Later, I learned the Sterlings had enforced their family discipline so ruthlessly that Ethan received thirty lashes—and Stella even more. News of her miscarriage became a public scandal, and her mother's history as a mistress was dragged into the spotlight.

That evening, Quentin knelt beside me as we watched cherry blossoms drift past the office window. He slipped a delicate diamond ring onto my finger.

"What's on your mind?" he asked softly.

I traced the ring's facets and smiled. "Just thinking… some people will always pay the price for their choices."