CHAPTER 4: THE FIRST SIGN OF BETRAYAL

Arabella Rose Montgomery woke up the following morning with a smile on her face.

She remembered Alexander's promise to consider having dinner with her. Although he hadn't confirmed their plans, she remained hopeful that they would finally spend some quality time together.

After getting dressed, she checked her phone.

There was no new message from Alexander.

She sighed softly before placing the device on her bedside table.

"Maybe he's just busy," she whispered to herself.

Downstairs, Margaret Montgomery was preparing breakfast when Arabella entered the dining room.

"Good morning, sweetheart."

"Good morning, Mom."

Margaret noticed her daughter checking her phone.

"Still waiting for Alexander?"

Arabella gave her a small smile.

"He might be busy with work."

"Perhaps. But remember that a relationship requires effort from both people."

"I know, Mom. I'm sure he'll make time for me."

Margaret didn't argue. She simply hoped her daughter wouldn't have to learn an important lesson through heartbreak.

Meanwhile, at Blackwood Corporation, Alexander Blackwood was sitting inside his private office.

His attention was fixed on his phone, where several unread messages from Vanessa Claire were waiting.

Vanessa: Are we still meeting tonight?

Vanessa: I need to talk to you, Alex.

Vanessa: Don't tell me you're planning to spend another evening pretending to be the perfect boyfriend.

Alexander rubbed his forehead.

He knew Vanessa was becoming impatient, but he wasn't ready to deal with another argument.

Finally, he replied.

Alexander: We'll meet after work. Don't make a scene.

Vanessa immediately responded.

Vanessa: I'll be waiting.

Alexander locked his phone and returned to his documents.

He had no idea that his secretary had noticed the unusual frequency of Vanessa's calls.

Later that afternoon, Arabella decided to visit a shopping center to buy a gift for Alexander.

Their third anniversary was approaching, and she wanted to prepare something meaningful.

While browsing inside a luxury watch boutique, she remembered how Alexander once mentioned wanting a particular watch.

She smiled.

"This would be perfect for him."

After making her purchase, she walked toward a nearby café.

However, before entering, she noticed a familiar black car parked across the street.

It belonged to Alexander.

Arabella stopped walking.

Her heart lifted with excitement.

Perhaps he had finished his meetings early.

She was about to call him when she noticed a woman approaching the vehicle.

Vanessa Claire.

Arabella's smile disappeared.

Vanessa opened the passenger door and entered the car without hesitation.

A few seconds later, Alexander stepped out of a nearby building and walked toward the driver's side.

He didn't look surprised to see her.

Instead, he smiled.

Arabella stood frozen.

Why was Vanessa with Alexander?

She tried to find a reasonable explanation.

Perhaps they were discussing business. Perhaps there was something important involving the company.

But then Alexander leaned toward Vanessa and gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

Arabella's fingers tightened around her shopping bag.

That gesture wasn't something she expected to see between ordinary acquaintances.

Before she could process what was happening, Alexander leaned closer and kissed Vanessa.

Arabella felt the world around her become silent.

Her breath caught in her throat.

The gift she had carefully chosen suddenly felt meaningless.

"No..." she whispered.

She blinked several times, hoping she had misunderstood what she had witnessed.

But there was no mistake.

It was Alexander.

The same man who had told her he loved her.

The same man who had promised to marry her.

And he was kissing another woman.

Arabella quickly stepped behind a nearby pillar, trying to control her trembling hands.

She wanted to approach them.

She wanted to demand an explanation.

But fear held her in place.

A moment later, Vanessa laughed at something Alexander said before resting her hand on his arm.

Then they drove away together.

Arabella remained standing on the sidewalk long after the car disappeared.

Her phone vibrated.

It was a message from Alexander.

Alexander: Sweetheart, I might be busy tonight. Something urgent came up at work.

She stared at the message.

A bitter laugh escaped her lips.

He was lying.

For the first time, she could no longer convince herself that everything was fine.

She typed a reply but stopped before sending it.

Instead, she put her phone away and returned home.

That evening, Margaret immediately noticed something different about her daughter.

"Arabella? What's wrong?"

"Nothing, Mom. I'm just tired."

Margaret approached her.

"Sweetheart, look at me."

Arabella tried to smile, but tears quickly filled her eyes.

"I saw him, Mom."

"Saw who?"

"Alexander."

Margaret gently held her daughter's hands.

"What happened?"

Arabella swallowed painfully.

"He was with Vanessa. They kissed."

Margaret's expression changed.

For a moment, she couldn't find the right words.

"Oh, sweetheart."

"I saw everything. He wasn't even trying to hide it."

Tears rolled down Arabella's cheeks.

"I don't understand, Mom. He told me he loved me this morning. How could he do that?"

Margaret pulled her into a comforting embrace.

"You don't deserve to be treated that way."

Arabella buried her face against her mother's shoulder.

"I gave him three years of my life."

"I know."

"I believed every promise he made."

Margaret gently stroked her hair.

"His betrayal doesn't make your love foolish. It only shows that he failed to value what you gave him."

Arabella cried silently.

For the first time, the future she had imagined with Alexander began to crumble.

Meanwhile, inside a private restaurant, Alexander and Vanessa were having dinner.

Vanessa noticed him checking his phone.

"Is that Arabella?"

Alexander placed his phone on the table.

"Yes."

"Does she know we're together?"

"No."

Vanessa smiled faintly.

"Good. I don't want to keep hiding forever, Alex."

Alexander looked at her seriously.

"Don't pressure me."

Vanessa leaned back in her chair.

"Then make a decision. You can't keep both of us waiting."

Alexander said nothing.

Back at the Montgomery residence, Arabella sat beside her bedroom window, holding the anniversary gift she had bought.

She looked at the beautiful watch box and slowly closed it.

Then her phone vibrated again.

Alexander: Good night, sweetheart. I love you.

Arabella stared at those words.

For three years, they had meant everything to her.

Tonight, they felt like the cruelest lie.

She placed the phone down and wiped her tears.

Tomorrow, she would ask him for the truth.

And this time, she wouldn't accept another excuse.