Chapter 13

Chapter 13
Sterling POV
Willow's gentle fingers pressed against my head. The faint fragrance at the tip of my nose made me drowsy.
Just as I was closing my eyes to sleep, a damned phone call came in.
Willow quickly made an excuse and left.
I could see she was very nervous. I felt uncomfortable. Did she really not want to be alone with me?
Before long the doorbell rang again. Thinking it was Willow, I got up to open the door.
The person standing outside made me frown.
Gloria wore a well-tailored beige suit, a smile on her face, carrying an elegant handbag.
"Why are you here?"
My tone turned cold. I made no move to let her in.
By rights, Gloria shouldn't know my address. This apartment complex had extremely high security. Anyone entering needed my authorization.
She must have pestered Blake until he gave her the address.
"Sterling, I wanted to see where my future fiancé lives."
Gloria's voice carried a coquettish tone. "You wouldn't deny me this small wish, would you?"
She tried to take my arm.
I stepped back half a pace.
A wave of jasmine scent hit me.
Heavy. Deliberate. Carrying the cloying sweetness of cheap perfume.
I didn't know why—the same scent. Willow's scent and that night's scent soothed my mood.
But this smell on Gloria only disgusted me, irritated me.
It wasn't that I hadn't been suspicious. But the necklace left in the room was one Gloria had worn since childhood.
"Don't come here without reason from now on."
I turned and walked into the living room, not inviting her in.
But Gloria followed anyway, closing the door.
"Sterling, what's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"
Her voice carried grievance.
I sat on the sofa, rubbing my temples.
A bit of a headache. The day after Blake gave me the information, I'd arranged to meet her.
She seemed nervous facing me. "Sterling, was it really you that night…"
I stared at her for a long time.
Unfamiliar.
Her eyes, her aura, the way she spoke—nothing connected to that night.
That woman who'd held me tightly in the darkness, whose body had entwined with mine.
"The necklace is yours?" I asked directly.
Gloria nodded, pulling a photo from her handbag and handing it to me.
In the photo, that pearl necklace hung around her neck.
"The necklace was a birthday gift from Mom. I've always worn it. I've never taken it off."
Her eyes reddened. "That night… I really didn't expect it would be you. I…"
The evidence was conclusive.
The necklace was definitely hers.
But why didn't I feel any familiarity?
"What compensation do you need?" I asked very directly.
I wasn't someone who liked dragging things out.
Since it had happened, I should take responsibility.
Gloria's face instantly went white.
She bit her lip. Tears rolled down.
"Sterling, I don't want compensation. I… I've always liked you."
She cried miserably, voice choking. "I gave you my first time… but now you're asking what compensation I want? Do you hate me that much?"
I frowned.
This matter was indeed my fault.
When my sex addiction flared, I'd taken a woman's virginity.
Whether I liked her or not, I should be responsible.
My father's promiscuity had driven my mother to depression and death—I'd hated irresponsible people since childhood.
I'd always believed I'd only have one relationship in my life, and it would lead to marriage.
Devoted. Loyal.
This was my requirement for myself, and my promise to my mother.
I said coldly, "I'll form an alliance with the Brown family."
Gloria froze, then broke into a delighted smile. "Really? Sterling, you're really willing to marry me?"
"I'll take responsibility." That's all I said.
But for Gloria, it was enough.
She was thrilled. "Sterling, I'll be a good wife. I'll…"
"Get engaged first."
I interrupted her. "Let Blake discuss the details with your father."
Now she stood in my living room, trying to loop her arms around mine.
I coldly pulled away.
Having my personal space invaded felt terrible.
So I made an excuse. "The jewelry set you wanted arrived. Go see Blake for it."
Gloria's eyes lit up. "Really? The Cartier set?"
"Yes."
"I'll go find Blake right now!"
She happily turned to leave. Before going, she looked back at me. "Sterling, let's have dinner together tonight? I want…"
"We'll see."
I answered perfunctorily, getting up to see her to the door.
The moment the door closed, that irritating scent dissipated.
I noticed something draped over the sofa armrest.
Willow's jacket.
She'd left in such a hurry, she'd forgotten it.
I walked over and picked up the jacket.
A familiar jasmine scent washed over me.
Faint. Sweet. Carrying a reassuring quality.
Completely different from that harsh smell on Gloria just now.
Miraculously, my nerves instantly relaxed. My headache eased.