Chapter 2

The few lingering guests instantly froze, their smirks vanishing, heads whipping around in sheer shock.

I opened my eyes, equally stunned.

Looking past my parents' shoulders, I saw Vincent Sterling striding toward me.

He pulled his ID from his jacket pocket and flashed it at me.

"Got my documents. I also notified your parents so they can serve as witnesses."

"Let's go. We're getting our marriage license right now."

Before I could even process it, Vincent took my hand and led me out, giving me no time to change out of my wedding dress.

I was in a complete daze until the clerk at City Hall handed us the official marriage certificate. Only then did reality finally hit.

I had actually... married Vincent Sterling.

I glanced sideways. He was staring down at the certificate in his hand, lost in thought.

"You walked away earlier. I thought you rejected me."

"Everyone was laughing at me."

Vincent looked up and gently ruffled my hair.

"I'm sorry. I was terrified that once you cooled down, you’d change your mind, so I rushed back to get my papers."

"Don't worry. I won't let you be wronged. The ring, the gifts, the proposal, the real wedding... I’ll give you everything you deserve. And from now on, no one will ever laugh at you."

He slipped an sleek black Centurion card from his inner suit pocket and pressed it into my palm.

"Take this card. Spend whatever you want. As soon as I wrap things up at the office, I'll come straight to you."

"My assistant already bought you fresh clothes. Go change in the restroom. The dress you're wearing is the wrong size, and the fabric is terrible. It doesn't suit you at all—the lace chafed your chest raw."

I glanced down, noticing for the first time the bright red, stinging irritation across my collarbone where the cheap, scratchy lace had rubbed against my skin.

Julian had picked this wedding dress for me.

He had claimed that as an illegitimate child, he had no money to splurge on luxuries, so he had pulled strings just to rent this cheap piece.

Back then, completely blinded by love, I didn't care. I felt that as long as I could marry him, I’d gladly wear a burlap sack.

I had stood there in that loose, fraying dress, practically moved to tears by my own devotion.

Yet today, the gown Chloe wore down the aisle was shimmering, custom-fitted, and spun from the finest silk. A bespoke designer masterpiece.

Julian wasn't broke.

He just didn't care enough to spend a dime on me.

I sniffled, choking back the sudden wave of bitterness.

Vincent instinctively reached out to comfort me, but right before his fingers touched my face, he paused and pulled his hand back with practiced restraint.

"Be good. Don't cry."

"Sienna, move into the Sterling Estate tonight. I'll have Julian thrown out."

I paused, blinking through my red-rimmed eyes. "Wait... isn't he your son? I know he's illegitimate, but still..."

Vincent gave a soft, dry laugh and offered me a tissue. "He's an illegitimate son of the Sterling family, not mine."

"Julian was my late older brother's kid from an extramarital affair. My brother died years ago in an illegal street race. To protect the family’s public image, my father claimed Julian was my secret child. It's a Sterling family secret. But since we're married now, I shouldn't keep secrets from you."

So that was why Julian always called himself a "fake heir."

I stared at him, mesmerized, until Vincent gently leaned down and wiped away my stray tears himself.

"All right, no more tears."

"I need to discuss a few things with your parents first. Once you're changed, my driver will take you home, and my assistant will help you pack your things. See you tonight, okay?"

He coaxed me like a cherished child.

I nodded. By the time I finished changing, Vincent and my parents had already left.

The driver dropped me off at the Vance mansion.

The moment I pushed the front door open, I found all my luggage packed and neatly stacked in the foyer.

"Well, well. Look who decided to show up—the grand Mrs. Sterling!"

Chloe’s smug, venomous laughter echoed through the hallway.

She stood near the staircase, chin tilted high in the air.

"Didn't you notice? The maids came by and boxed up every single thing you own."

"Looks like Mom and Dad have officially kicked you out of the family!"