She was playing the perfect role of the woman every man desired. And clearly, it was a massive success.

Mrs. Sterling sighed and offered a comforting smile. "Forget about him. There are plenty of fish in the sea. Quinton Foster isn't all that special. Greenvale is full of brilliant, handsome men. You won't have any trouble finding someone better."

Maeve let out a soft laugh. "Mom, what are you talking about? Before I left, Quinton promised me he'd never marry anyone else. I know he's waiting for me. He would never lie to me."

Mrs. Sterling stared at her daughter in absolute disbelief.

"What did you just say? Quinton knew you were leaving?"

Why was she, the girl's own mother, kept completely in the dark?

Realizing she had slipped up, Maeve quickly backpedaled.

"No, he didn't know the details. But I trust him to wait for me. He swore he'd love me

for the rest of his life, that I was the only one for him."

Mrs. Sterling was speechless. She had no idea how to break the news to her daughter.

"Have you been completely cut off from the outside world while living in Greenvale? Are you..."

Are you being controlled by someone? She didn't dare ask the question out loud, terrified the answer might be yes. And the first suspect that came to mind was Alastair. That monster was capable of anything.

Years ago, the Lyndon family had welcomed Alastair in as their son-in-law. Before he made a name for himself, he had been treated like a stray dog, constantly sucking up to her and Arthur Lyndon. But once the older generation of the Lyndon family passed away, Alastair finally showed his true colors.

He swallowed all of the Lyndon family's assets. From then on, Mrs. Sterling became nothing more than a trophy wife for display. Alastair spent his days partying and sleeping around, completely unchecked.

What infuriated Mrs. Sterling the most was that he had even slept with her best friend. The man was utterly shameless. But as she grew older, she learned to turn a blind eye. She knew Alastair would never agree to a divorce. She was trapped in this life forever.

Maeve brushed off the concern. "Mom, I have a great life right now. I don't need to keep up with the local gossip."

Mrs. Sterling's eyes darted away nervously. "So you really don't know about Quinton's engagement?"

Maeve's expression froze instantly.

"Quinton is engaged? That's impossible."

She refused to believe it. How could that be true? How could he promise himself to someone else when he swore he would wait?

"Mom, you have to be mistaken. So many people were jealous of our relationship. You must have heard a rumor. He promised me."

Maeve shook her head vehemently. Tears welled up in Mrs. Sterling's eyes, realizing her foolish daughter had been entirely manipulated.

"Men lie as easily as they breathe. How could you believe he would actually wait for you? Men like Quinton-handsome, wealthy,

surrounded by temptation net

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without a woman. Even when you two were together, half the city's socialites were practically throwing themselves at him. You've been gone for two years. What man could handle that kind of loneliness?"

Tears instantly spilled down Maeve's cheeks. "No. You're wrong. You have to be."

She had to go back. She had to find

Quinton and demand the truth.

Fighting through her escalating

panic, Maeve stared at her mother.

"Who is his fiancée? What's her name?"

Mrs. Sterling let out a heavy sigh. "Delilah Thorne."

Boom.

The name struck Maeve like a bolt of lightning. The shock was so severe her body swayed, and she nearly collapsed to the floor. Mrs. Sterling reached out and caught her fust in time

"Oh, my sweet girl. Why were you so naive?"

"No... Delilah is my best friend. How could she..."

How could she steal her boyfriend? Mentioning Delilah made Mrs. Sterling even angrier than Maeve.

"You considered her a best friend, but I doubt she ever felt the same way about you. If she was truly your friend, she would never have touched Quinton.