BIANCA POV

I Bianca Winchester was born to have everything. I didn't care about my family's debts or my father's stupid mistakes. All I cared about was my place in the world. And that place was at the top. The Sterling name was my ticket there. It was more than just a name; it was a kingdom of money and power, and it was about to be mine. But before I could claim my crown, there was one little problem I had to handle. A secret that smelled of perfume and late-night phone calls.

The secret’s name was Lucas. I met him in a small, private café that was hidden from the rest of the world. It was my favorite place to get away from the rules and the expectations of my family. The café was old, with soft music and the smell of coffee and pastries. Lucas was already there, sitting at our usual table in the corner. He looked handsome in a simple way. His hair was neatly cut, and he wore a nice sweater. He wasn't like Nicholas Sterling, who was all sharp suits and cold power. Lucas was warm, and he was mine. He was a secret that made me feel like a regular person, not just a Winchester.

He smiled when he saw me, a genuine, happy smile that I rarely saw on anyone in my own house. "Bianca," he said, and the way he said my name always made me feel like I was the only person in the world.

"Lucas," I said, sliding into the chair across from him. I didn't kiss him right away. We had to be careful, even here. We were like two actors on a small, hidden stage. "I don’t have much time. I had to sneak away from a lot of wedding planning."

His smile faded a little. "Wedding planning. With the Sterling heir." He said the name like it was a bad word. "Bianca, we need to talk about this. I've been thinking."

"Thinking about what?" I asked, already knowing what he was going to say. I had heard it a hundred times before.

"About us. About the baby." He put his hand on my stomach, a soft touch that made me remember the night we had made this new life, though it's just three days."You're showing now. Soon, you won't be able to hide it anymore. We can't keep living like this. With you sneaking away, and me waiting. It's not fair to the baby."

I took a deep breath and looked around the café. No one was paying attention to us. I had to remind myself that this was a safe place. "I know, Lucas. But this is the only way. The Winchesters are in trouble. We need the Sterling money."

Lucas shook his head. "No, you don't. I've been saving. I have enough to get us away from all this. We could go to Switzerland. Or Dubai. We could start over. Just you, me, and our child. No more secrets. No more lies. We could be a real family."

He reached across the table and took my hand. His hand was warm and strong. I looked at his face, and for a moment, I could see the life he was painting for me. A simple life. A life without all the stress and the expectations. A life where I was just Bianca, and he was Lucas. It sounded peaceful. It sounded… boring.

I pulled my hand away slowly. "Lucas, you don't get it. This isn't just about money. It's about a name. My name. The Sterling name is power. It's respect. It's a key that opens every door in the world. Your money is nice, but it’s nothing compared to that. I can’t give that up."

His face fell. "So you're really going to go through with this? Marry him? Lie to him about everything?"

"It’s not a lie," I said, trying to believe it myself. "It's a plan. A very good plan. I will be his wife, and our child will be his child. It will all work out." I didn’t mention the baby swap. Not yet. I didn't want him to know all the messy details. He was too good for that kind of dirt. He was my sweet secret, not my partner in crime.

Lucas looked at me for a long time, his eyes full of disappointment. "I’m giving you a way out, Bianca. A real way out. The last one. If you don't take it, I won't wait around forever. I will have to start making my own plans."

His words made me feel a little scared. But the fear was not as strong as the feeling of wanting to be a Sterling. I wanted it more than anything. I wanted to be at the top of the world, with all the power that came with it. I gave him a small smile, trying to reassure him, and myself. "Just trust me, Lucas. This is the best thing for all of us." I stood up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. "I have to go. My parents are expecting me."

I walked out of the café and back into the real world, the world of power and wealth. My father's car was waiting for me. I slid into the back seat, already feeling the pressure of being a Winchester again.

Back at the house, I went straight to my parents’ study. I had to talk to them about this new, crazy thing my father had mentioned. The "Loyalty Ritual." I couldn’t believe they were even considering it. My parents were sitting in their chairs, both looking nervous. My father, Greg, was drinking a whiskey. My mother, Victoria, was playing with a handkerchief in her hands.

"You wanted to see me?" I asked, my voice cold and firm.

My father put his glass down. "Yes, Bianca. About the ritual. You have to do it."

"No, I don't," I said, my voice rising. "I am not an animal to be tested. That whole idea is crazy. It's old and barbaric. I refuse to do it."

My father's face turned red with anger. "You refuse? You refuse the one thing that will save this family? We have a deal! We are lucky they are even still talking to us after my mistake."

"Your mistake, Dad! Not mine!" I shouted. "You are the one who gambled all our money away! I shouldn't have to do some crazy ritual because of your stupidity! I've already agreed to marry Nicholas Sterling. That is more than enough. The Sterling name is the prize here. I am the prize here. They should be grateful I'm even going through with this."

My mother, Victoria, spoke up, her voice small. "Honey, it's tradition. It's just a night. It's part of the deal. If you don't do it, they will back out, and we will lose everything. The house, the cars... everything."

The thought of losing everything made my stomach churn. I couldn’t live without all of this. But the idea of that ritual... a masked night with a man I didn’t know, even if he was my future husband. It felt dirty. It felt like I was losing all control. I was a Winchester, and I was about to be a Sterling. I was not some piece of property to be tested.

"I won't do it," I said, my voice full of finality. "I refuse. Find another way."

My father stood up, his hand shaking with anger. "There is no other way, Bianca! Do you understand? No other way!"

I met his gaze, my own eyes filled with fire. "Then I guess you'll have to come up with one. I won't be a part of this ritual. It's a deal-breaker. Find a way to give them what they want without me. Or lose everything. The choice is yours."

With that, I turned and walked out of the study, leaving my parents to deal with the mess my father had made. I was firm in my decision. I would have the Sterling name, and I would have the power that came with it. But I would do it on my own terms. The Loyalty Ritual was not one of them. Little did I know, my refusal had just set a new plan into motion, a plan far more twisted than I could have ever imagined.