Chapter 2

After leaving the bar, I went to the hospital to have my wound treated. Back home, I systematically packed away everything related to Dylan Sterling, sealing it all in boxes. My parents, returning home, noticed and paused.

"Eleanor, have you truly let go of Dylan? Do you no longer love him?"

Seeing my unhesitating nod, they looked relieved, a smile gracing their lips. "That's good. Julian has been busy abroad, but today the Sterling family video-called us and finalized the arrangements. He's calm and composed, certainly a better match for you than Dylan. His reputation precedes him, and his accomplishments are impressive, so we hadn't dared to consider him. We expected him to refuse, but he readily agreed."

My eyes welled up. When I first made up my mind, I knew Julian Sterling would agree. In my past life, due to the age difference and the awe he commanded, even among the influential families, I, too, kept my distance. We rarely interacted outside of family gatherings.

I only knew he was utterly devoted to his career, building a brilliant business empire from scratch, and remained unmarried. It wasn't until he took his own life at thirty-five that, while his belongings were being sorted, a stack of love letters was found in his bedroom. Each letter was addressed "To Star." No one in the Sterling family knew who "Star" was. Only I knew: I was born on a night of dazzling stars, and "Star" was the nickname given to me by my closest elder. I had never realized that the man who seemed so cold, distant, and unapproachable had loved me silently all along.

Now, with this second chance, I was willing to give us both an opportunity.

Lost in thought, my parents presented a gift box, their voices filled with contentment.

"Eleanor, tomorrow is your birthday. Julian couldn't make it back, so he had his assistant retrieve this gift from his study. See if you like it?"

I opened the box to reveal a dazzling ring. It was "Star-Picker," the most expensive diamond ring sold by Sotheby's in nearly fifty years. I'd seen it once and had never forgotten its beauty. It warmed my heart to think Julian Sterling would send such a priceless gift. In my previous life, Dylan Sterling hadn't given me any gifts since the alliance was announced. I had long forgotten what it felt like to receive a present from someone who cared.

The next day, my birthday banquet began promptly at seven in the evening at the city's most luxurious hotel. Guests offered their congratulations, and with the alliance settled, a huge weight lifted from my shoulders, allowing a genuine smile to grace my lips.

Then, a sudden commotion broke out among the crowd, and everyone turned to stare at the entrance. I followed their gaze, only to see Dylan Sterling, accompanied by Serena Hayes, walking into my birthday party. But that wasn't the most mortifying part – what truly made me want to vanish was Dylan's group of friends, making a grand entrance, carrying a massive banner straight towards me. Emblazoned in the center of the banner were the words:

**HYPOCRITE**

For: Eleanor Vance.

Guests pressed closer, whispering and murmuring, eager for the drama. My face turned stark white. I clenched my fists tightly, my eyes fixed on the troublemakers. My voice was dangerously cold.

"What is the meaning of this?"

A few of Dylan's friends sneered back, deliberately shouting their words across the room.

"So the wedding preparations have begun, huh? No one's better at playing hard to get than Ms. Vance. I'd say 'hypocrite' describes her perfectly!"

"I told you yesterday she was just saying things in a fit of pique! Everyone knows she's been chasing Dylan for years, even willing to give up her dignity! Now suddenly she claims she doesn't like him, doesn't want to marry him? That's just a temporary tactic. In the Sterling family, only Dylan is a suitable match. Who else could Ms. Vance possibly choose?"

A burst of laughter filled the hall. Dylan Sterling looked at me, his face grim. "Eleanor Vance, stop with these fake theatrics. Don't think you can still attract me. When we get married, you'll have the title of Mrs. Sterling, nothing else. I won't give you anything more."

I'd heard those exact words from him in my past life. And he hadn't lied. In seven years of marriage, beyond the title, I truly had nothing. The murmurs around me grew louder. I took a deep breath, my voice rising.

"Dylan Sterling! I don't need your title! Listen carefully: my fiancé isn't you, nor is he from your generation. He's your…"

The name was caught in my throat, interrupted by a sudden incident. Serena Hayes suddenly clutched her nose and mouth, her face erupting in a dense rash. Her eyes red-rimmed, she collapsed into Dylan Sterling's arms. "Young Master, I'm so itchy! Why are there so many hyacinths here? I'm allergic to hyacinths!"

Hyacinths were my favorite flowers, so the entire hall was decorated with them. Hearing Serena's increasingly ragged breathing, Dylan Sterling's face grew anxious. He kept calling her name, then scooped her up in his arms.

He left me with two parting statements. One for me: "Eleanor Vance, after we're married, you're forbidden from planting or displaying hyacinths anywhere!" The other for his friends: "After I leave, trash this banquet hall!"

"You got it, Dylan! Mission accomplished!"

Before his words even faded, his friends descended like thugs, grabbing tables and chairs and smashing everything. Birthday cake was smeared across the floor, shards of glasses and dishes flew through the air, and flowers were trampled into mud by dodging guests.

"Stop! How dare you trash my birthday party? Stop!"

"You're marrying Dylan soon! Everything revolves around your husband, so what Dylan says, goes, hahahaha!"

My throat grew hoarse from shouting, but I couldn't stop the rampage. Instead, it only drew endless mockery. Finally, all the guests left, and my birthday ended in utter wreckage.

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