chapter 3 : Betrayal

Ariana Pov

"Your fiancée?"

I whispered, my voice barely audible. I took a step toward him, staring at him in disbelief. My hand slowly rose to my chest as I shook my head.

"So I was just a replacement all along?"

I let out a bitter laugh, spreading my hands in disbelief.

"Oh, so this was one of the reasons you always gave me for keeping our relationship a secret?

I let out a humorless laugh. "Well, you really did play your cards well. I will give you that. I never even noticed she had been in the picture all along."

"You're making a big deal out of nothing, Ariana."

I stared at him, my lips parting slightly.

"A big deal?" I pointed at myself, unable to believe what I was hearing. "I'm the one making a big deal? I caught you cheating, and instead of taking responsibility, you're turning the blame on me."

I shook my head. "You can't even own up to what you did. That's unbelievable."

Adrian's jaw tightened. "Don't make this into something it isn't."

"Then tell me what it was." My voice shook, but I held his gaze. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like I spent three years loving a man who already belonged to someone else."

Adrian glanced at Tessa, his expression softening for a moment before he looked back at me.

"Tessa is different. She knows what I want, understands the life I live, and she belongs beside me. That's why I chose her."

Tessa smiled and slipped her arms around Adrian's neck.

"You always know what to say."

Adrian's hand settled around her waist, pulling her closer before he leaned down and kissed her.

When he pulled back, Tessa rested her head against his chest, and his arm tightened around her. I watched them for a moment before my fingers gripped the fabric of my dress. I closed my eyes, pressing my teeth together as I fought to keep myself composed.

"Enough, Adrian. Just enough." I opened my eyes and looked at him. "I gave you everything I had for three years, and this is how you repay me? You have to stand there with her and rub it all in my face?"

Adrian's expression hardened.

"I didn't rub anything in your face. You barged into my apartment and came in uninvited. If you hadn't, you wouldn't have seen any of this."

I stared at him for a moment before a small breath left me.

"You know what? For once, I'm grateful I barged in. I've been coming here for three years, Adrian. I never thought I needed an invitation to see you, especially not today. It's our three-year anniversary. How was I supposed to know I'd walk in and find this?"

I shook my head slowly.

"If I hadn't come here today, how long would you have kept lying to me?"

I gave him one last look before taking a step back. My heel brushed against something on the floor. I looked down and saw my hair clip. It must have fallen when Adrian shoved me earlier.

I bent down to pick it up, but my gaze caught the ring on Tessa's finger. I froze. It was the same diamond ring I had once seen among Adrian's things, the one he had promised he was going to buy for me. I had spent so much time imagining that ring on my finger.

I picked up my hair clip and got to my feet. I pulled my hair back, smoothing it with my fingers before clipping it into place. A small smile crossed my face as I looked at Adrian again.

"I guess the ring finally found its rightful owner."

Adrian shrugged, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

"It belongs to her. I'm glad you noticed it. She deserves it. She is my woman."

He slid an arm around Tessa's waist and pulled her against him before leaning down and kissing her.

I watched them for a moment before slowly clapping my hands.

"Wow. You two are a perfect match. Made in heaven."

Adrian's expression shifted, his eyes narrowing as he stared at me. I could see the surprise on his face when I didn't react the way he expected.

I smiled.

"I was done searching for clarity in a maze of lies, looking for explanations from a man who had never intended to tell me the truth."

I turned toward the door and started walking, my steps steady.

"At least now I don't have to waste another day settling for a man who lies, cheats, and manipulates the woman he claims to love."

Just before the door shut completely, Adrian's voice stopped me.

"Don't come back to me when you realize you made the biggest mistake of your life."

The door shut behind me.

"The biggest mistake of my life was ever falling for someone like you," I whispered to myself. "A relationship built on lies was never going to last anyway."

I lowered my gaze, my hand gripping the strap of my bag.

I had been so blinded by love that I never saw this side of him. I only saw the man who made me believe he cared.

******

Damian Pov

I poured myself a glass of whiskey and settled back into my chair, the documents spread across my desk. I took a slow sip as I scanned the figures, my eyes narrowing at the numbers.

The office door opened, and Ava walked in with her tablet.

"Any updates?"

"Yes, boss. Sterling Silver Corporation has sent their proposal. They're offering Cole Enterprises fifty percent of their shares in exchange for financial backing."

I looked up.

"Fifty percent?"

Ava nodded.

"They're struggling financially and need immediate support to avoid bankruptcy."

I leaned back in my chair.

"Send everything to legal. If the documents check out, we'll proceed."

"Yes, sir." She glanced at her tablet. "The board meeting has been moved to twelve, and your appointment with the Kingston Group is confirmed for eight tonight at D'Main's Club."

"Fine," I said as Ava closed the door behind her.

As I resumed reviewing the documents, a voice from the television caught my attention. I looked up at the screen as a news anchor spoke.

"A major announcement has been made concerning one of the city's most influential families, the Coles. The family is currently seeking a suitable woman to marry their heir. According to a statement released this morning, interested candidates have been invited to step forward."

I switched off the television before the news anchor could continue and slammed the remote onto the desk.

"Marriage?" I muttered, leaning back in my chair. "Where the hell is this coming from?"

I dragged a hand over my jaw. I was certain my grandfather was behind this stunt. He was the only man in the Cole family who could make an announcement like this and have half the city listening before I even heard about it.

And knowing him, he had probably already decided how this was going to end. I stared at the blank television screen.

"I don't need a wife," I muttered. "I have a company to run."

Marriage had never been part of my plans. My attention was on Cole Enterprises, expanding its influence and keeping everything under control. I had no intention of allowing my grandfather's sudden obsession with my personal life to become another distraction.

I picked up the file in front of me, forcing my attention back to work, when my office door opened again. I looked up to see Nathan standing there.

"Boss, your grandfather wants you at the mansion."

I raised an eyebrow.

"Now?"

Nathan nodded.

"He said he wants to see you."

My gaze drifted briefly toward the blank television screen.

"Fine."

I closed the file and stood, reaching for my suit jacket. The moment my grandfather summoned me, I doubted I would be walking out of that mansion as a free man.