Chapter One: The Night Everything Changed
551 Words
The soft glow of the city lights reflected against the glass walls of the Grand Monarch Hotel as Ariana Cole stepped out of the taxi, her heart pounding with excitement.
Tonight marked three years with Ethan.
Three years of late-night phone calls, shared dreams, and promises of forever.
Earlier that afternoon, he'd texted her.
"Meet me at the Grand Monarch. Room 2501. Wear the red dress I bought you."
Her cheeks warmed as she looked down at the elegant red dress flowing around her knees.
Was this finally it?
Was he going to propose?
She smiled to herself as she entered the luxurious hotel lobby. Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, and soft piano music drifted through the air.
She clutched the small gift box she'd bought for Ethan—a silver wristwatch she'd spent two months saving for.
The receptionist smiled politely.
"Good evening, ma'am."
"I'm here to see Ethan Walker. Room 2501."
The receptionist checked the computer before nodding.
"You may go up."
Ariana thanked her and hurried into the elevator.
Her heart raced faster with every passing floor.
Twenty-two...
Twenty-three...
Twenty-four...
Twenty-five.
The elevator doors slid open.
She walked down the quiet hallway until she reached Room 2501.
Taking a deep breath, she knocked.
No answer.
She knocked again.
Still nothing.
Just as she reached for her phone, the door, which hadn't been properly closed, slowly creaked open beneath her touch.
"Ethan?" she called softly.
Silence.
She stepped inside.
The gift box slipped from her fingers.
On the king-sized bed...
Ethan was kissing another woman.
Not just kissing her.
His hands were tangled in her hair while she laughed against his lips.
Neither of them noticed Ariana standing there.
Her world shattered in complete silence.
Finally, Ethan looked up.
His eyes widened.
"Ariana..."
The woman turned.
"Oh..." she said lazily. "So this is the girlfriend?"
Tears blurred Ariana's vision.
"Ethan..." she whispered.
He quickly stood.
"Listen... I can explain."
She laughed.
A broken, trembling laugh.
"Explain?"
He took a step toward her.
"It's not what you think."
She stared at him in disbelief.
"Then tell me..." Her voice cracked. "What exactly am I supposed to think?"
The woman crossed her arms.
"You should probably leave. You're making this awkward."
Ariana felt something inside her snap.
She picked up the wristwatch she'd bought with her savings...
... and threw it onto the bed.
"It was supposed to be your anniversary gift."
Without another word, she turned and ran.
The elevator felt suffocating.
By the time she reached the lobby, tears streamed freely down her face.
She didn't care who stared.
She didn't care that her mascara had run.
She didn't care that three years of love had just been reduced to a cruel joke.
Instead of walking outside, she wandered into the hotel bar.
The bartender noticed her shaking hands.
"What can I get you?"
"Something strong."
As the glass was placed before her, she wiped away another tear.
At the opposite end of the bar sat a man dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.
He hadn't touched the expensive whiskey in front of him.
His sharp jaw was tense.
His eyes were cold...
... yet strangely filled with the same loneliness she carried.
Neither of them knew that before this night ended...
... their lives would become forever intertwined.
- Writer
