Chapter 188
Nora's POV
By the time we returned to the living room, the late afternoon light had turned golden, streaming through the tall windows in soft, slanted beams.
Diana was still seated, a book open in her lap. She looked up as we entered, her gaze flicking to the bouquet in my hands.
"Beautiful choice," she said approvingly.
Before I could respond, the sound of a car engine rumbled from outside. Moments later, the front door opened.
Heavy footsteps. A low, clipped voice speaking to the butler.
Then a man appeared in the doorway.
He was tall—broader than Julian, with brown hair shot through with silver, and a jawline that could cut glass. His suit was immaculate. But it was his eyes that froze me in place. Sharp, assessing.
I stood automatically, my hands twisting together.
This was Brandon Sterling. Julian's father.
And he looked like he could dismantle me with a glance.
Diana rose smoothly. "Brandon, you're home. This is Nora."
Brandon's gaze swept over me—clinical, detached—and he nodded coolly. Then he turned to Julian. "I thought you'd forgotten this house existed."
Julian's expression didn't change. "I've been busy."
Brandon's mouth thinned into a line. "Come to the study."
Julian gave me a reassuring look before following his father upstairs.
Diana moved closer, her hand lightly touching my arm. "Let the men talk. "
I nodded mutely.
I sat on the sofa, my fingers absently tracing the strap of my purse. Victoria's words flashed through my mind—"You'll never be good enough for a Lycan family." I tried to look composed, but my breathing had gone shallow, and my spine felt like it might snap from how rigidly I was holding myself.
Diana set down her porcelain teacup and tilted her head slightly, studying me. "Nora, you look tense. Are you worried about Brandon's scowl?"
I forced a smile, but it felt brittle on my face.
She leaned forward, her expression softening. "The first time I met Brandon's mother, I was so nervous I spilled an entire glass of red wine onto her carpet. Do you know what she said?" Diana's eyes sparkled with amusement. "She laughed and said, 'Good. I've been meaning to replace that hideous thing for years.'"
Despite myself, I let out a small laugh. The tension in my shoulders eased just a fraction.
Diana reached over and gently squeezed my hand. "Brandon may seem intimidating, but he's a stubborn romantic at heart. When he married me, his father threatened to cut him off entirely. They didn't speak for two years. But Brandon chose me anyway."
Her words settled something inside me. She wasn't just trying to make me feel comfortable—she was telling me she understood what it meant to be an outsider in this world. That she'd fought for her place, just like I would have to fight for mine.
"As for Julian," she continued, her voice turning softer, almost proud, "he rarely brings anyone home. The last time he insisted we meet someone, it was Lily." She paused, and I blinked at her in confusion until she clarified with a grin, "His shepherd."
This time, my laugh was real. The absurdity of it broke through the last of my anxiety.
Diana stood, brushing down her skirt. "You stay here and eat some of these scones." She gave me a knowing look. "I'm going upstairs to make sure those two haven't started a cold war in the study."
She squeezed my shoulder once before disappearing through the doorway.
---
Julian's POV
I stood in front of my father's desk, refusing to sit. This wasn't a negotiation. It was a statement of fact.
His eyes tracked my every movement.
"I came here to tell you something," I kept my voice steady. "I'm going to marry Nora. As for the arrangement with the Stewarts—I'll handle it myself. I'll explain everything to them personally."
Dad stood so abruptly his chair scraped against the floor. "The engagement with the Stewarts was decided years ago. That's a commitment between two families, Julian. You can't just dismiss it."
"It was never an engagement," I said flatly. "It was a political arrangement I never agreed to. I never made any promises to the Stewart family."
His jaw clenched. "Do you think your position came from nowhere? The Sterling family's influence in the Federal Government depends on alliances like this one. You're not marrying just for yourself—you're marrying for the family's future."
Something cold settled in my chest. I'd known this conversation would go this way, but hearing him say it out loud still felt like a punch to the gut.
"Then tell me, Dad," I said quietly, "why did you marry Mom?"
He froze.
I took a step closer. "Grandfather opposed it, didn't he? He said you were ruining the Sterling legacy by marrying a woman from a family with no political power. But you defied him anyway." My voice hardened. "So what you're telling me now is that your choice was justified, but mine is irresponsible?"
"That was different—"
"How is it different?" I cut him off.
His mouth opened, then closed. For a moment, he looked genuinely rattled, and I pressed the advantage.
"I'm not asking for your permission," I said. "I'm telling you what I'm going to do. Nora is the woman I'm going to marry, and if you can't accept that, then I'll deal with the consequences."
Dad's hands braced against the desk, his knuckles white. "Who told you about your grandfather?"
Before I could answer, the door opened.
Mom stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the hardwood. She looked calm, composed, but I saw the faint glint of steel in her eyes.
"I told him, Brandon," she said evenly.
Dad's head snapped toward her. "Diana—"
She walked over and placed a hand on the edge of his desk, her gaze steady. "Do you remember what your father said to you when you told him you wanted to marry me?"
Dad said nothing.
"He said you were ruining the Sterling family's future for a woman who had nothing," Mom continued. "He said I would be a liability. That I had no connections, no resources, nothing to offer." She paused. "And yet, here we are. The Sterling family didn't collapse. In fact, I'd say we've done quite well."
I watched Dad's expression shift—surprise, discomfort, something that looked almost like shame.
Mom turned to me, her voice softening. "Nora is a good woman, Julian. She's intelligent, compassionate, principled. She challenges you in ways you need." She looked back at Dad. "And she makes him happy. Isn't that what we wanted for our son?"
Dad exhaled slowly, his shoulders sagging just slightly. He looked at me for a long moment, and I held his gaze, refusing to back down.
"You really intend to go through with this?" he asked.
"Yes."
Another pause. Then he sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. "Fine. But you handle the Stewarts yourself. I won't have the Sterling name associated with breaking commitments."
Relief flooded through me, though I kept my expression neutral. "Thank you, Dad."
He waved a hand dismissively. "You're as stubborn as I was. God help us all."
Mom smiled, clearly pleased with herself, and gave me a small nod. You're welcome.
I allowed myself the faintest hint of a smile in return.