The Jilted Heiress's Contract Marriage

e glittered under the light of a thousan

amiliar edges of an antique engagement ring on her finger. It had be

noons that bled into a decade of quiet devotion. Her mother, on her deathbed, ha

rumpets announce

, familiar sound that mad

th a baron, a smile already formi

But he was not alone. Her cousin, Isabella, was on his a

oze. Her sm

s he swept past her without a glance, leading

led on Isabella's waist, drawing her close. The

his friends. Eleonora found herself trapped nearby, caught

ew all too well, carried across the polished floor. "Julian,

sharp and sudden, seized her as the eyes of the goss

he sound, amplified by the ballroom's acou

ll marry, my future Lady Sterling." He announced it not to Isabella

ripped the back of a nearby chair, her knuckles turning white. The only t

pathy, hiding a thrill of victory. "But...

e that made Eleonora's stomach churn. He stroked Isabella's arm for a

y to his friends, yet his voice was j

oming the treasured mistress of the Ster

roaring sound filled her ears, drowning out t

armaments," Julian continued, his voice cold and practical

ng sound full of malice. "Oh, Jul

ight there in the middle of the ballroom. The image burned itself into El

pain. Not a

hing nausea and a cold tha

. The lingering chill on her finge

mocking gazes of the guests. The last flicker of warmth with

ears of waiting. Turned

ger. It was no longer a promise. It wa

She smoothed the wrinkles from he

ying serenity. Her green eyes

liers, through the tall windows, toward the distant, cloud-wreath

liant idea sparked in the f

ctacle, on Julian and Isabella

h parted for her like water. Her s

. She simply exited the ballroom, le

ring from her finger. The metal edges dug into

whispered in the depths of her soul. It was her

, Julian, wil