Chapter Two

NICHOLAS POV

I was just a man, my life has always been about one thing: my family name. The Sterling name is more than just a name; it’s a whole world. It's power, it's money, it's a history that goes back a long time. At thirty years old, I am the one who will take over. I have been trained for this my whole life, so I know every move I make is important. Tonight, that importance is why I am at this party.

The party is a pre-engagement dinner. It's a way of showing the world what's about to happen. The room is filled with bright lights from hanging chandeliers. I can see the most important people in the country here. But for me, this isn't a party. It’s a business deal. My father, Richard Sterling, believes in old rules. He thinks the best way to keep our family strong is to marry into other important families. The Winchester family is not important anymore. They are a family in trouble. My father knows all about their gambling debt, which is a huge amount of money. This marriage is the way they will pay it back.

I stand by a big window, holding a glass of scotch. The feeling in the room is strange. Everyone looks happy, but I feel like I am just playing a part. I look at all the people, but my mind is focused on one family. The Winchesters. My father told me they would be here. I am supposed to meet my future wife tonight.

I see them across the room. Greg Winchester looks pale and worried. My father told me Greg is desperate. His wife, Victoria, is trying to look happy, but I can see the fear in her eyes. And with them is their daughter, the one I am supposed to marry.

From where I am standing, she looks perfect. Her dress is a light color, and her blonde hair is in a neat bun. She looks like she belongs here, in this world of wealth. I notice she has some of the same features as her father, a sharp jaw and the same color hair. But she also looks different. She has a soft kind of beauty that seems to be hidden. I can’t quite figure it out.

My mind, which is always working like a calculator, is looking at her. Is she a good choice for me? Yes. She is beautiful. A Sterling wife needs to look the part. Her family may be in trouble, but she has a good public image. I've read all the reports about her. She goes to the right parties and does good work for charities. She seems like the perfect woman for an arranged marriage. She will understand her role and not complain.

My father, Richard, walks over and stands next to me. He puts a hand on my shoulder. "There she is," he says in a low voice. "Bianca Winchester. She will be a good wife for the Sterling family."

I nod, still watching her. "She seems calm," I say.

"That's exactly right. She understands her duty. The Winchesters, for all their problems, have raised a daughter who is ready for a life like ours. This marriage will be good for everyone. Their debt is gone, and our family name is connected to a woman who knows our world."

I have no interest in falling in love. My life is the business, the company, the big deals that change the world. Love is a distraction, and I don't have time for it. I need a partner, a smart woman who can stand next to me at parties and in meetings without any problems. The woman I am watching seems to be exactly that person. She looks calm and confident. It’s the kind of strength I need in a wife.

As I watch her, I feel a curious feeling. I am about to marry a woman I have never spoken to. It feels strange, but it also feels right. This is my duty. This is what I was born to do.

She looks up and her eyes meet mine from across the room. For a quick moment, I feel a small jolt, a flash of something I can’t name. Her eyes are deep, and I feel a connection. But it's gone as fast as it appeared. She gives me a polite smile, the kind of smile she has probably practiced in a mirror. I give her a small nod back, showing her that I accept my role, just as she accepts hers.

"We will go over there soon," my father says, smiling a little. "I've already spoken with her parents. They are eager to get everything done. We have a marriage contract ready, of course. Everything is in place. After tonight, we will get ready for the Loyalty Ritual."

I stand up a little straighter. The words "Loyalty Ritual" are very important to me. It's a very old tradition that has been in my family for many generations. It is a sacred test of honor and loyalty. It’s a final, private moment for the bride and groom to be together before the wedding. I believe in it completely. It’s more than just an old rule; it’s the most important part of getting married in my family. It is a way to make sure my future wife is truly committed to the Sterling name.

I have no doubt that Bianca Winchester will do it. She seems like a woman who understands duty. A woman who will not be scared by our family's old ways.

I finish my scotch. The glass feels heavy and important in my hand. "I’m ready, Father," I say, my voice steady.

We begin to walk across the ballroom. As we go, I can feel everyone in the room watching us. I am a Sterling, and the world is always watching. I am about to go meet my future bride, say the right things, and get the process of our marriage started. I believe completely that the beautiful, calm woman in the silver dress is the one I am supposed to marry. I have no idea that I am about to walk into a lie, a carefully planned trap. I think I am in control, but I have no idea that the person I am about to meet is not the person I am meant to be with.