That year, when I was at my absolute lowest, I pretended to be my sister to care for her blind fiancé, all for half a million dollars to save my family. The day he regained his sight, I disappeared without a trace. We met again at a business interview. I was just an unknown intern reporter. He had reclaimed his identity as Liam Sterling, the powerful young scion of the Sterling Group. He was being interviewed: “We hear that during your illness, you were incredibly fortunate to have Ms. Serena, your fiancée, by your side through thick and thin. Are wedding bells ringing soon for you two?” His lips curved ever so slightly. He raised his hand, revealing a ring. “Yes. She and I… we’re getting engaged.” But his gaze, almost imperceptibly, drifted past his glasses, landing on me in the corner. Before the interview began, the room buzzed with chatter. “The young master we’re interviewing today, he’s the actual head of the entire Sterling Group.” “I heard five years ago he went blind and was even kicked out of the family. If his fiancée hadn’t stayed by him, he probably wouldn’t be alive today.” “Shh, keep your voice down—” I sat there, forcing a faint smile. My nails, though, dug deep into my palms. Suddenly, Mike, my senior colleague, turned to me. “Anya, could you get me some water? My throat’s dry.” As I walked to the water cooler near the door, the main entrance suddenly swung open. A familiar silhouette crashed into my vision, and my mind went utterly blank. In three years, Liam Sterling had changed almost completely. His once slightly slender, boyish frame had grown tall and imposing, and the lines of his face were sharper, more defined. Those eyes, once misty and unfocused, now held an icy stillness. “Excuse me.” He spoke flatly, his gaze sweeping over me through his glasses, like I was a stranger. No pause whatsoever. He walked onto the stage, surrounded by several bodyguards. As he passed, he left behind a cool, woody scent. I stood frozen, taking a few seconds to process. The two years I spent by his side were Liam Sterling’s most desperate. He had been cast out of the Sterling family, his eyes blinded in a car accident. Of course, he didn’t know what I looked like. …Maybe that was for the best. By the time I returned with the water glass, the interview had already begun. Liam Sterling sat on stage, fingers intertwined, resting against his chin, observing the room with composed confidence. He was answering business questions. Suddenly, the side door near the stage opened. Serena walked in, smiling as she complained to Liam Sterling. “Sorry, Liam.” “Something came up on set, so I’m a little late.” She held up the hem of her opulent champagne-colored dress and took a seat beside Liam Sterling. The entire room fell silent for a moment, then the atmosphere immediately grew warm and buzzing with implied romance. Mike, holding his water glass, glanced at me, as if he’d discovered something new. “Anya, don’t tell me, but you and Serena, you actually look quite alike.” I pursed my lips, managing a forced smile. “She’s a celebrity. You’re being too kind, Mike.” Of course we looked alike. Because she and I, we were sisters.
“We hear that during your illness, you were incredibly fortunate to have Ms. Serena, your fiancée, by your side through thick and thin. Are wedding bells ringing soon for you two?” My throat suddenly tightened as I watched Liam Sterling on stage. He curved his lips, then raised his left hand, revealing his ring finger. On it, a simple silver ring. …It was the one I’d bought from a side job, back then, just to cheer him up. The distinguished young scion of the Sterling family, wearing such an inexpensive ring, it looked out of place. But he seemed oblivious, his fingertip gently tracing the surface. “Yes. She and I… we’re getting engaged.” He said, his gaze sweeping across the audience. Almost imperceptibly, it landed on me in the corner. Only for a fleeting few seconds before he pulled it back. The microphone was handed to Serena again. “Ms. Serena, we hear you’re currently filming Director Miller’s new movie. He rarely works with new actors. Is Mr. Sterling a factor in this?” She admitted with a charming smile, “Of course.” “I’ve always been confident in my professional abilities, but I won’t deny that Liam has truly done so much for me.” “And I completely deserve this special treatment.” Her poised and confident attitude earned her widespread admiration. Someone asked, “Could you share the story of how you and Mr. Sterling supported each other during your lowest point?” Serena’s smile faltered for a moment. In the eerie silence, time seemed to slow down. After a long pause, Liam Sterling let out a soft chuckle, taking the microphone. “There’s nothing much to tell.” “The memories she and I share, it’s enough for just the two of us to know.” My eyes suddenly stung, and I tightened my grip on my pen, lowering my head in a scramble. If I just closed my eyes, I’d be taken back. Liam Sterling, in his younger days, had been rebellious and difficult, offending many people. After he fell from grace, some people deliberately came seeking him out for trouble. To protect him, I was pushed down a flight of steps, falling, covered in blood. The bullies were startled and ran off. I gritted my teeth, stood up, and pretended nothing had happened, walking back to his side. “Let’s go, home.” But Liam Sterling suddenly grabbed my hand. “You’re hurt. We’re going to the hospital.” “I’m not…” “I smell blood!” His voice suddenly rose, tears rolling down from his misty, unfocused eyes, like stars covered in dust. His not-yet-broad shoulders pulled me into a tight embrace. But the name he uttered was my sister’s: “Serena.” “When I recover, I’ll give you the grandest wedding in the world.”
After the interview, the sky turned gloomy. A fine curtain of rain fell outside the venue. Mike patted his pocket and started bossing me around again. “Anya, I left the memory card inside. Go back and get it.” I trotted across the damp ground, making my way back. The elevator display flashed to one. The next second, the doors opened. I ran straight into the two people inside. Serena was slightly tilted her head, chatting with Liam Sterling about trivial things from the film set. Though his expression was indifferent, he listened patiently. Their posture was intimately close. Seeing me, Serena’s expression instantly turned incredibly nasty. “…Sorry.” I mumbled an apology, then turned around, intending to take the stairs. But Liam Sterling spoke from behind me. “Stop.” I froze in place. “Aren’t you using the elevator? Go on up.” I slowly turned around, deliberately lowering my voice. “Thank you, Mr. Sterling.” He said he wanted me to use the elevator, but he didn’t move, just stared at me. “Are you also a reporter for today’s interview? How come I didn’t hear any questions from you?” I lowered my eyes. “Mr. Sterling, I just graduated and returned to the country. I’m an intern reporter, so I don’t have the privilege to ask questions.” “I see.” He responded flatly, lost in thought. Serena, standing beside him, shot me a venomous glare and spoke. “Let’s go, Liam. We still have to meet with Director Miller and the others tonight.” Liam Sterling finally looked away. “Let’s go.”
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