The Billionaire's Hidden Bride: The Secret Heiress

Maya choked on her drink instantly. The liquid burned up her throat and out through her nose as she coughed uncontrollably, her face flushing red.

Ethan's expression didn't change. He just gave a single glance to one of his men standing silently behind him. The man moved, poured a glass of water, and handed it to Maya.

She took it with trembling hands, gulping it down between coughs.

"Thank you," she managed to whisper.

Nelly rolled her eyes dramatically. "Seriously..." she muttered under her breath, crossing her arms.

Mrs. Sterling cleared her throat and continued as though nothing had happened. "I know this sounds... sudden," she began, smiling. "And you may be wondering about our reason for this change."

Ethan didn't even look up, he simply swirled his wine, his expression unreadable.

Mrs. Sterling went on. "You see, Nelly is still in college, in her final year. And juggling marriage and studies would be... very stressful for her. So we thought it best that Maya takes her place instead. After all, she is still a Sterling by blood. It's practically the same thing, isn't it?"

Maya's eyes darted toward Ethan. The same thing?

Ethan finally spoke. "It doesn't matter," he said flatly. "Nelly or Maya, it makes no difference to me."

Maya froze. What? Her heart racing against her ribs. She had thought Ethan and Nelly were together out of love. But the way he said it... as if he didn't care who stood beside him at the altar.

Behind that calm exchange, however, was a much darker truth.

The Sterlings were struggling, their empire suffering debts and failed investments. Their once-flourishing businesses were crumbling, and only one man had the influence and power to keep them afloat was Ethan Ashford.

But Ethan didn't offer charity. He offered terms. And his terms had been marriage.

Originally, it was supposed to be Nelly. Nelly admired his wealth, personality and amazing looks but she couldn't imagine being "tied down" to a man who couldn't walk beside her.

So when Maya arrived from the countryside, quiet and out of place, Nelly and her mother had found the perfect replacement bride.

Maya's heart was racing, her head spinning. Was she imagining this? What was going on? Were they really serious, saying she was going to marry Ethan Ashford, someone she didn't even know and had just met tonight?

It couldn't be true. Why would they push a marriage on her?

Her hands trembled as she held her head. "Uhm. No. I mean... how can I get married to him? I don't even know him. I-"

"Shut it, Maya," Mrs. Sterling snapped harshly. "What does you knowing him have to do with this, hm? You should be ashamed. Do you know it's a privilege to even be sitting here, in our presence, in the presence of Ethan Ashford? You're a lowlife. And getting married to him? That's you doing your pathetic self a favor."

Maya swallowed hard, clenching her teeth. "Marriage is a choice. You can't force me to-"

"Nobody's forcing you," Mrs. Sterling interrupted smoothly. "We're simply telling you what is going to happen. This is what's best for the family. And if you cooperate... you might even survive the night without embarrassment."

Nelly chuckled cruelly beside her. "Don't act so shocked, Maya. You've been plucked from the countryside, tossed into our world. This is how things work here. Adapt or be stepped on."

Maya's gaze moved toward Ethan. He sat there with an unreadable expression, his hands folded neatly on the table. There wasn't a hint of emotion in his eyes. She had no idea what he was thinking, but the coldness in his gaze made her chest tighten.

"I just... I can't get married," Maya stammered, her voice trembling, but determined.

Mrs. Sterling's eyes narrowed. "Listen carefully, Maya. Mr. Sterling is your father, whether you like it or not. You getting married to Ethan is doing your own father a favour. You see, this marriage with Mr. Ethan is going to help our family as we have certain... financial problems going on right now. And Mr. Ethan is the one who can help us, on the condition of marriage. And you can't be so selfish to turn us down."

Maya looked down at the table, her fingers tightening around the edge. "Then why isn't your daughter-"

"She's in her final year in college," Mrs. Sterling cut her off harshly. "I'm pretty sure you didn't even go to college. Didn't finish high school, did you?"

Maya didn't respond, and Mrs. Sterling pressed on. "Listen, from what I've heard, your mother, still living in the countryside, handed you over to us when she realized who your father was. Meaning, you are in our custody. You have nowhere else to go. So you better say yes to this marriage."

Maya's eyes darted up, her voice trembling. "You're making me get married to help your family... and you're not even treating me a little bit nice."

Nelly's eyes widened. "Oh my gosh... the audacity."

Mrs. Sterling gave a mocking laugh and folded her arms. "Aw, poor Maya wants to be treated nicely now," she said, feigning sympathy. She turned to Nelly with a smirk. "We should take notes, darling. Maybe we've been too harsh on her delicate feelings."

Nelly let out a scoff, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Please. She should be grateful we're even letting her sit here. If it weren't for Dad's sense of pity, you'd still be in that muddy little town you and your mother came from."

Maya's chest tightened, but she stayed quiet.

"Respect is earned in this house, Maya," Mrs. Sterling said coldly. "And so far, all you've done is remind us why charity is wasted on the ungrateful."

Nelly giggled. "Exactly!"

"But getting married is my choice to make-"

"Oh, you can talk now, can't you?" Mrs. Sterling snapped. "Disrespectful urchin! Where did you even come from? Couldn't your mother train you properly?"

Maya flinched but rose to her feet, her brown eyes blazing. "Don't speak about my mother! You can talk about me all you want, but you have no right to speak about my mother!"

Mrs. Sterling gasped, anger flashing across her face. She slammed her hand down on the table, then stepped closer. "What did you just say to me?"

Before Maya could respond, a hot slap landed across her cheek. The room seemed to freeze for a moment. "You insolent brat!" Mrs. Sterling hissed. "You're nothing but a pathetic bastard!"