Caged as His Canary, I Choose to Escape

Chapter 2

In the eyes of the outside world, Sterling was a man of stunning looks who commanded a vast business empire. He was the golden boy every wealthy family in the city was desperate to align with.

Countless heiresses went to great lengths to get into his bed, hoping to secure even a sliver of partnership resources. And I, as the woman by Sterling's side, was considered unbelievably lucky.

But only I knew the truth.

Sterling had the temperament of a wild wolf—sharp, prickly. For a man of thirty, his features were cold and chiseled, his build powerful. When he didn't smile, he looked like a god. But gods have mercy. He had none.

He was volatile and unpredictable. One moment, he would kiss my lips with tenderness; the next, he would bite me until I bled, simply because I forgot to breathe.

As for dealing with the women who threw themselves at him, it was far from simple. Sterling controlled half the industry and held the financial fate of countless people. Rivals, business competitors, and even branches of his own family all plotted against him, constantly sending women his way, lacing his drinks, and setting traps.

Too many people wanted him dead.

Over the years, I had taken the brunt of every scheme and dirty trick aimed at him.

Once, at a banquet, a woman slipped something into his drink. One sip was enough to turn his eyes bloodshot. He threw me onto the bed, choked me, and lashed my body with a belt. His mouth never stopped hurling insults.

When he came to his senses, he noticed the fresh welts all over me. That was the first time I saw something other than cruelty in his eyes, something that looked almost like remorse.

So he slid that newly purchased diamond bracelet onto my wrist. "Wear it," he said. "Never take it off."

So I wore it. Not out of affection, but out of fear.

A million dollars a month, at the cost of my dignity and my life.

Being Sterling's woman was only glamorous on the surface.

Yet they thought I was living the high life and should be grateful to my family.

I didn't argue. I just looked at Willa and said softly, "If you want this marriage, you can have it."

Willa froze. Then she raised her voice. "What do you mean by that, Zara? Are you provoking me? Do you think I can't do it?"

I didn't answer her. I turned to my parents and said, "Mom, Dad, I've met my sister. I should be going now."

I turned and left. Getting out even for a short while was precious to me, so I slowed my steps.

Walking down the street with a gentle breeze, I clutched my purse tightly, but my heart suddenly began to race. If Willa truly could take my place, that would be wonderful.

I had tried before. I had begged my parents and Grandma Vance. I showed them the bruises on my body and told them I couldn't bear it anymore.

At the time, my parents did feel sorry for me. They went to Grandma Vance and told her that our family had fallen from grace and didn't dare to aim so high, hoping the engagement could be dissolved. Grandma Vance was reasonable and cared about her children, so she agreed.

But somehow, word reached Sterling's ears.

That night, he forced a drug down my throat and made me kneel before him. He sat under the lamp, his face pale as death, and asked, "You want to call off the engagement?"

Naked before him, I was overwhelmed with shame, anger, and grievance. My body grew hotter, but I dared not utter a single word.

He walked up to me, pinched my chin, and forced my head up. "You want to leave me? For another man? Tell me who it is, and I'll chop off his head and give it to you as a gift. How about that?"

I trembled in terror.

After that, he made me beg him to help me through it. Ever since that drugging incident, his anger always brought out his violent urges in bed. I was covered in scars.

Afterward, he sat at the bedside and applied ointment to my body. His fingers were cold, and when they pressed into my wounds, I cried from the pain. But he only asked in a low voice, "Aren't I good to you? Why do you want to leave?"

After that, I never mentioned leaving again. Neither my parents nor the Vances brought it up. His family stopped looking for other suitable heiresses for him.

Now, the true heiress had returned. I was afraid she might only be bluffing, but I was also afraid she would go straight to Grandma Vance and end up alerting Sterling, who would then take his anger out on me.