Not being bound by a marriage certificate was, perhaps, a stroke of luck. When I left, there would be no messy legal disputes.

If anyone was going to get hurt, it wouldn't be me.

I used an encrypted phone to call Piper, my best friend in New York.

"Everything is ready. In three days, on Friday night, I will erase every trace of myself here."

"Understood. But be careful—Steward has tightened security at the private docks. The official story is to prevent harassment from corporate spies."

"Don't worry."

I ended the call with a cold snort.

The only reason Steward tightened security was to cover for his secret rendezvous.

"Three more days," I whispered to the night air, steeling my resolve to end this charade for good.

Just then, I heard soft footsteps stop a short distance away.

"What are you thinking about all alone out here?" Steward asked, his tone as gentle as ever.

He came to my side, maintaining a polite distance befitting an "engaged couple."

He had clearly heard my whisper but pretended he hadn't.

I turned slightly, offering the shy, hopeful smile of a bride-to-be. "Just praying for our upcoming partnership."

It was the truth.

Friday night was our scheduled engagement party—the perfect occasion for a grand farewell and a silent escape.

Steward smiled too, turning to gaze at the distant night sky. "Your prayers will be answered, Sloane."

He sounded so confident, as if the universe had personally promised him success, never suspecting my prayer was for a safe departure from this gilded cage.

"It's getting cold. Let's go inside," he said, ever the perfect gentleman.

I nodded and followed him back into the hall, a place filled with endless deception and anticipation.

The crystal chandeliers cast our shadows long, making them seem to merge into one. But in reality, an insurmountable chasm lay between us.

Just like our marriage certificate, which would never exist.

Back in the bustling ballroom, Steward held my hand as we mingled with the guests.

His palm was warm, and my smile was gracious, but my mind was miles away.

Noticing my distraction, he murmured, "Are you tired?"

He led me to a quiet rooftop terrace, fetching me a glass of water while he held a glass of red wine.

"What's on your mind, darling?" he asked, his arm wrapping around my waist.

I turned to study his impeccably handsome face, carved by moonlight and city neons.

I lowered my head. "Just a college friend," I murmured. "She was venting about her fiancé… he cheated on her."

He immediately pulled me deeper into his embrace. "Don't let other people's problems worry you. That will never be us. You're my one and only, Sloane, a gift from fate. I swear I'll protect you with my life."

I leaned against him, listening to his familiar heartbeat, and suddenly asked, "What if?"

"What if what?"

"What if you betrayed me?"

I felt him stiffen, his arm tightening around me in a flash. "There is no 'what if.' I swear on my honor, you are my only choice."

"Like I said… what if."

After a moment of silence, I felt his warm breath tickle my ear as he said in a low, clear voice, "If I ever betray you, may I lose everything, be utterly disgraced, and never be able to stand by your side again."

I smiled, but my heart felt like ice.

Just then, he pulled something from his pocket and placed it in my palm.

It was an antique watch, clearly of great age. Its platinum case gleamed in the moonlight, its face set with tiny sapphires.

The crests of his family's heirs were engraved on its back. It was warm from his touch, clearly an object of immense symbolic meaning.

"This was my grandfather's," Steward said, watching me. "It protected him until he engraved my grandmother's name on it, sealing their bond. And now, I'm giving it to you."

"It carries my promise. You'll feel it wherever you go. It will know you as its one true lady."

As he fastened the watch, the metal settled against my wrist bone, its warmth almost searing. It felt as if a distant heart was beating in time with mine.

"When we are officially married," he said, pressing his forehead against mine, "I will engrave our names on it with my own hands."

I held the watch, my fingers tracing the engraved crests.

It was heavy, burdened with too much history, too many promises… and now, one more deceptive vow of eternity.

"Mr. Sterling."

A charming voice greeted him respectfully. We turned to see a young woman standing in the shadows of the doorway, holding a file. "These are urgent documents from the marketing department. The board members are waiting in the conference room."

If I recalled correctly, this woman's name was Ava. Piper had mentioned her.

Steward's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly, but the reaction was gone in a flash.

He glanced at Ava and nodded. "Alright."

He turned back, cupping my face in his hands, his thumbs stroking my skin as he smiled. "I'm sorry, darling. This is an important company matter—I have to deal with it."

He leaned down and pressed a restrained, warm kiss to my forehead.

"Wait for me," he said, but paused before leaving. "The marketing alert came so suddenly. There's an unusual movement on a project, I must—"

"Go on," I said calmly, cutting him off.

He froze, surprised, but then relief washed over his face—so obvious he didn't bother to hide it. My easy acceptance meant he didn't need to elaborate.

"Alright."

With that, he turned and left with Ava, their footsteps disappearing quickly down the hall.

I didn't return to the ballroom. Instead, I walked down the corridor and hid behind a large modern art sculpture.