CHAPTER FOUR: I PROMISE TO HAVE MY REVENGE

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The Sterling household was abuzz with excitement, a rare atmosphere of celebration filling the halls. Vivian paced back and forth in the grand living room, her smile growing wider with every step. Natasha sat across from her, barely able to contain her excitement. The letter from Ethan Blackwood's office had arrived earlier that morning, confirming what they had hoped for-a marriage proposal from the most powerful man in X City.

"We did it, Mother!" Natasha squealed, clutching the letter tightly in her hands. "Ethan Blackwood wants to marry me. Can you believe it? Me, married to the richest man in the city!"

Vivian smiled, a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. Everything had gone exactly as planned. The night of Natasha's birthday, the carefully orchestrated events, the drugs-everything had fallen into place. At least, that's what they believed. Vivian was convinced that Ethan had slept with Natasha, and now he was making the only honorable decision: to marry her.

Victor Sterling entered the room just as Natasha began planning out her extravagant wedding. He looked tired, his face lined with stress, but there was no denying the relief in his eyes. The marriage proposal from Ethan Blackwood meant a significant boost for their family, both socially and financially. It was the alliance he had been hoping for.

"Father, isn't this wonderful?" Natasha beamed. "Ethan wants to marry me, and it's going to be the biggest wedding this city has ever seen."

Victor nodded, offering a faint smile. "It is, indeed, good news. Ethan Blackwood is a powerful man. This marriage will secure our family's future."

Vivian's smile didn't falter, but she quickly shifted the conversation. "We should start preparing for Leah's marriage as well. It's happening tomorrow, and we must make sure everything goes smoothly. I'll have the final arrangements done."

Victor's face darkened at the mention of Leah. He hadn't been happy about forcing her into marriage, but after the events of the previous night, there had been no other choice. Vivian had made sure of that, accusing Leah of ruining their family's reputation by engaging in such disgraceful behavior. The hickeys and marks on her body had been undeniable proof. His heart had hardened after hearing what had supposedly happened, and he had no choice but to arrange for her marriage to one of his old business partners, a man in his sixties who had already been married five times.

Natasha, never one to miss an opportunity to steal the spotlight, interrupted his thoughts with a devious smile. "Father, I've been thinking... We should have a double wedding."

Vivian's eyebrows shot up in surprise, though the idea clearly excited her. "Natasha, dear, what do you mean?"

"Why not hold my wedding with Ethan on the same day as Leah's?" Natasha suggested, her voice brimming with self-satisfaction. "I want everyone to see my marriage to Ethan Blackwood. It will be the event of the century. We'll overshadow Leah's pathetic little arrangement completely."

Victor frowned, unsure about the idea. "But Ethan hasn't mentioned anything about a grand wedding. He's insisted that the marriage take place as soon as possible. In fact, he doesn't even want to meet before the ceremony."

Natasha waved off her father's concern, her excitement undeterred. "That's perfect! We can get married tomorrow, just like Leah. Ethan clearly wants things done quickly, and so do I. There's no need for a long engagement. I want the entire city to see that I'm Mrs. Blackwood."

Vivian seemed to be warming to the idea. "A double wedding would be quite the spectacle. It would cement your place in society, Natasha, and completely overshadow Leah's disgrace."

Victor hesitated, but as always, he gave in to Vivian's persistence. "If that's what you want, Natasha, I'll make the arrangements. We'll hold both weddings tomorrow."

Vivian clapped her hands together, the wheels already turning in her mind. "Perfect! I'll start the preparations immediately. Everything must be flawless. Leah's marriage will be nothing compared to yours."

Natasha leaned back in her chair, a smug smile spreading across her face. "I can't wait to see the look on Leah's face when she realizes her pathetic little ceremony will be outshone by mine. And Ethan Blackwood will be mine, Mother. All mine."

---

Meanwhile, at Blackwood Enterprises, Ethan sat in his office, reviewing the final arrangements for his upcoming marriage. His jaw was set in a firm line, his eyes focused on the papers in front of him, but his mind was elsewhere. He had instructed his team to ensure that everything was taken care of swiftly. He had no interest in long ceremonies, extravagant displays, or even seeing the bride before the wedding.

The woman he had spent that unforgettable night with-whom he believed was Natasha Sterling-was now going to be his wife. There was no room for doubt. He hadn't seen her face clearly in the darkness, and in the haze of the aphrodisiac, everything had been a blur. But he knew she had been under the drug's influence just as he had been. He had felt it in the way she had responded to him, the desperation in her touch.

And so, marrying her seemed the logical next step. It was a practical decision. He would fulfill his family's expectations, put an end to his grandfather's constant pressure, and settle the matter with the woman he had been with. Ethan wasn't a man who needed romantic attachments. This was simply another business transaction, albeit one with more personal stakes.

"Make sure the ceremony happens tomorrow," Ethan instructed his assistant over the phone. "I want everything done quickly. I don't need to meet her before the wedding. Just have the arrangements ready."

His assistant nodded. "Understood, Mr. Blackwood. Everything will be taken care of."

Ethan hung up the phone, his mind already shifting to his next task. The marriage would take place tomorrow, and then he could move on with his life. Natasha Sterling would be his wife, and everything would fall into place. He wasn't concerned with the details-only the end result.

---

At the Sterling household, the preparations for the double wedding were already underway. Leah, unaware of the chaos and plans surrounding her, sat alone in her room, her heart heavy with the weight of what was to come. Tomorrow, she would be married to a man she didn't know-a man she didn't love. But even worse, she couldn't forget the events of the previous night, the way she had given herself to a stranger, a man she hadn't even seen in the light.

Leah breathed in deeply, her mind seething with hatred, this was all Vivian and Natasha's fault, they where always making plans to destroy her life, and now they had finally found a way to do that successfully, tomorrow she would be living this life permanently, and who knows maybe yo another hell.

"If I ever manage to get out of this, I promise to destroy this family for all the sufferings I and my mother has had to face" she vowed in her mind, as she clenched her fist tightly in anger, while her eyes clouded with tears .