Chapter 29. Meeting the Sterlings

Lily’s POV

The sun was deceptively bright that Saturday morning, its rays failing to lift the apprehension coiling in my chest. Ethan had promised this visit would solidify our future—an engagement to silence any remaining doubts about my place in his life. Yet, as we approached his family estate, I couldn’t ignore the growing unease.

The Sterling manor loomed before us, a sprawling testament to wealth and tradition. It was my first time stepping into the home where Ethan had spent his childhood, and though I had anticipated an air of grandeur, I wasn’t prepared for the suffocating weight of its history. Every corner seemed to whisper expectations, traditions, and judgments—a daunting backdrop for the conversation ahead.

“Relax,” Ethan murmured, placing a reassuring hand on my knee as the car rolled to a stop. “They’ll love you.” He could tell I was nervous.

I nodded, forcing a smile, but his words did nothing to make me feel better. Love wasn’t what I