A Liar's Vow of Eternity

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.