Chapter 1: Betrayed and Broken

Adam Bella

"What do you mean?" I asked, staring at Michael my boyfriend, or at least, the man I thought he was as he blocked me from entering his apartment.

His eyes held no remorse, no flicker of the love we had shared for six long years. The man I thought I knew stood before me now, cold and distant.

It was as if I were nothing more than an inconvenience, a piece of trash he could toss aside without a second thought.

"I'm sorry, Bella, but we can't be together anymore. We can just be friends. I'm focused on building my career, and I need a woman of my class. We're no longer in the same caliber.

I know you helped me through school, but I can't end up with you. I'm a manager now, aiming for something higher. I can support you with some money."

His words cut deeper with each sentence. My chest tightened, my breath quickened. I blinked rapidly, trying to process what he had just said when a woman's voice cut through the fog in my mind.

I turned, and there she was Vivan, my colleague. She sauntered up to Michael with a smug smile plastered on her face. My stomach dropped as disbelief washed over me. Vivan leaned in and kissed him, her hand slipping into his like it belonged there, like this had been their reality all along.

"You're invited to our wedding," Vivan smirked, shoving an invitation into my hand. "Now that you know we're together, stay away from my man."

I stared at her, but my focus was entirely on Michael the man who had whispered promises of a future with me just last night. Was it all a lie? My heart raced as betrayal twisted like a knife in my chest.

"Can I ask you one last question?" I managed, my voice trembling but resolute.

Michael nodded, his face void of emotion, as if this conversation held no more significance than talking about the weather.

"How long have you two been seeing each other?" My voice barely held steady as I braced myself for the answer.

"For the past year," he replied, emotionless.

A whole year. A year of lies and deceit.

My eyes locked on their intertwined hands, and I felt rage bubbling inside me. I wanted to scream, to lash out, to make them feel even a fraction of the pain they had caused me.

Instead, I gave Michael one last parting gift. "Here’s something to remember me by," I spat, before driving my fist into his stomach.

Vivan gasped, stepping back as fear flickered across her face.

"Anything else you want to say?" I asked, glaring at her. Her bravado crumbled, and she averted her eyes, silent.

I stormed out of the apartment, a bitter laugh escaping my lips. So this was why. Vivan young, beautiful, the CEO’s sister. I should’ve known. The signs were always there, but I had chosen to ignore them.

I sank onto a bench, my mind spiraling. Were the last six years of my life just a lie? Did he ever love me, or was I just a stepping stone for him? The tears came, hot and uncontrollable, as I cried openly. I didn’t care about the people passing by, staring at me like I was some tragic spectacle.

Maybe I was. Maybe I was crazy to believe that love like ours could last.

"Snap out of it, girl," I muttered to myself, wiping my tears. "You’re stronger than this." But no matter how hard I tried, my heart refused to listen.

My phone vibrated, jolting me out of my thoughts. A message from Elowen.

Check your phone. I told you he was trash.

She had warned me. Elowen had sent me a message earlier that morning, claiming Michael was cheating. I hadn’t wanted to believe it. But here it was the ugly truth staring me in the face.

If you’re wondering who Elowen is, she’s my best friend. She’s been by my side through everything since childhood. Blunt, fierce, and always ready to fight for me.

I looked at the wedding invitation Vivan had shoved at me. Elowen had been right. I should’ve slapped him, not just punched him.

And oh God, I was still in my pajamas. What had I been thinking, rushing out of the house like this? My hair was a tangled mess, and I looked like I hadn’t slept in days. I caught my reflection in a nearby window and almost laughed at the absurdity of it all.

I should’ve dressed up and shown Michael we weren’t in the same class after all.

The smell of noodles wafted through the air, making my stomach growl. I followed the scent like a moth to a flame, desperate for a distraction. I spotted a small boy eating with his mother, and a pang of hunger hit me. But I wasn’t carrying any cash. Who would’ve thought that I’d be here, broke and heartbroken, on the same day my life fell apart?

Elowen’s call snapped me out of my daze.

Did you confirm it?" Elowen’s voice was sharp, cutting through the fog of disbelief still clouding my mind.

"Yeah," I replied, watching the street in a daze. "He said I’m not in his class anymore." My voice was flat, as though saying the words aloud would make the hurt dissipate.

"Did you kick him?" Her tone was filled with righteous fury.

A small smile tugged at the corner of my lips. "Yeah, but... I forgot to slap him."

"Good enough. I’m at your apartment. Come quickly. We need to talk."

The line went dead, leaving me standing there, torn between laughing and crying. Elowen was always a fighter, always ready to battle my demons when I couldn’t. But today, it wasn’t enough. Nothing felt enough.

I turned to leave when, out of nowhere, a strong hand gripped mine. Startled, I looked up to meet the gaze of a man whose presence was as unsettling as it was captivating. His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, unblinking, unreadable.

"Let go," I demanded, though my voice betrayed the slight tremor of fear.

He didn’t release my hand. Instead, he leaned in, his voice deep and commanding. "Marry me.”