The Vanishing Heiress

Chapter 22

Ethan Sterling felt a sudden chill run through his body.

Megan Sullivan's expression was calm, her gaze so naturally unfamiliar.

"My apologies," Ethan clenched his fist. "Miss Sullivan, you bear an uncanny resemblance to someone I once knew. I mistook you for her."

Anyone would have found it absurd.

After all these years, the first "I'm sorry" the victim heard came under such circumstances.

Megan curved her lips slightly.

Did she hate Ethan? Of course she had—once.

She hated him for being blind to the truth, for taking her heart and her kidney only to repay her with seven years of torment.

But that was all in the past now.

So, this apology no longer held much weight.

"It's quite alright, Mr. Sterling. Your suit is wet—let the attendant show you to the dressing room."

Megan nodded graciously, offering forgiveness with effortless poise.

Then, she placed her hand in Mr. Roland's palm and glided elegantly onto the dance floor.

No matter how intensely Ethan's gaze followed her, she never looked back.

Ethan Sterling—it wasn't forgiveness, not after so long.

It was simply letting go.

Now, between us lies an insurmountable chasm, everything beyond recognition.

I don't hate you. But I won't love you again, either.

Ethan watched as "Sophia Quinn" moved with effortless grace among artists and business magnates.

A sharp, searing pain pierced his chest.

This was unmistakably Megan.

The same Megan who wept endlessly in his dreams, her expression icy.

"Why pretend you don't know me?"

Ethan murmured to himself as he stared at her slender silhouette.

"But it doesn't matter. You're back now. That's all that matters."

A faint smile touched his lips, the gloom that had shadowed him for half a year lifting slightly.

Megan Sullivan—we have time.

Two hours later, Montgomery Residence.

Ethan had his assistant, Liam, deliver the news of Megan's reappearance to the Montgomery family.

"What did you say? You've seen Megan?"

Mrs. Montgomery nearly dropped her teacup in shock.

Emily Montgomery caught it just in time.

"Sister Megan… where is she now? Is she alright? How is her health?"

Setting the cup down, Emily couldn't hide her urgency.

"Rest assured, Miss Emily, your sister is doing well. It's just…"

Liam hesitated, unsure whether to reveal that Megan was now going by "Sophia Quinn."

"Just what? Speak plainly!" Emily pressed.

"She's changed her name. She's now Sophia Quinn, a rising star in the art world, highly acclaimed for her paintings."

Under the family's anxious gazes, Liam finally disclosed the truth.

Mrs. Montgomery froze. "Painting? I never knew she could paint…"

As if lost in memory, her eyes reddened.

"Liam, wait here a moment."

With that, she hurried upstairs to her bedroom.

Moments later, she returned with a large bundle of what appeared to be sketches.

These were drawings she had made twenty-seven years ago, while pregnant with Megan.

"If possible… please give these to her. I never gave her a mother's love, never raised her. And when she returned, I favored the one who stole her place. I'm not making excuses…"

Her voice trembled with emotion.

"But when I was carrying her, I truly swore I would love her dearly. These sketches were for her before she was born. If she wishes to see them, fine. If not… burn them or throw them away."

Mrs. Montgomery smiled faintly.

"Her father and I were wrong. We don't expect her forgiveness. As long as she's well, as long as she's happy and healthy…"

"That's enough for us."