I walked over to Sterling obediently. "Sterling."
His cold gaze shifted to me. "You're leaving?"
I swallowed and spoke softly. "Sterling, I'm not a Winthrop. The one betrothed to you should've been Willa. Now that she's back, it's only right to return everything to her. Grandma Vance has already reassigned the engagement to Willa."
The butler stepped back another ten paces. I could feel the murderous intent radiating from Sterling's eyes.
He spoke in a low voice, "Did I give you permission?"
My throat went dry. I couldn't answer.
Willa seized the moment and cut in, "Sterling, Grandma Vance is doing so for your reputation and the Vance family's standing. My sister was adopted, an outsider by blood. Staying by your side would only invite gossip. I'm different. I'm the real heiress. We'
