Beneath The Perfect Lie

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲: 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗜𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝗸.

The morning sun spilled through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Aria's office on the thirty-second floor of Sunset Beauty headquarters.

The city stretched endlessly below her, alive with honking traffic and hurried footsteps.

Normally, the view calmed her.

Today, it did nothing.

She stared at the untouched cup of coffee on her desk while yesterday's events replayed in her mind.

Lior Voss was back.

After nearly ten years.

She had spent so long convincing herself that the past belonged in the past. Then one smile from him had shattered the walls she'd spent years building around her heart.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Her assistant, Sophia, stepped inside carrying a tablet.

"Your ten o'clock meeting has been moved to eleven, Ms. Moretti."

"Thank you."

"And..."

Sophia hesitated.

"You have a visitor."

"I don't remember scheduling anyone."

"He says you're an old friend."

Aria looked up.

"Lior?"

Sophia smiled.

"Yes."

Aria's heart skipped.

"Send him in."

Seconds later, the office door opened again.

Lior entered wearing a charcoal suit, his dark hair neatly combed, his expression calm.

For the first time in years, Aria felt herself smile without forcing it.

"You still drink coffee you never finish?" he teased, glancing at the untouched mug.

She laughed softly.

"You remember that?"

"I remember everything."

The words lingered between them.

He walked closer, admiring the office.

"You've done well."

"We all have."

"You always dreamed of running your father's company."

"And you always wanted to build your own empire."

"I suppose we were both stubborn enough."

Their laughter faded into a comfortable silence.

Then Lior noticed it.

As Aria reached for a file, the sleeve of her blazer shifted just enough to reveal the edge of a fading bruise near her wrist.

His smile disappeared.

"Aria..."

She immediately pulled the sleeve back down.

"What happened?"

"I bumped into a cabinet."

He didn't believe her.

"You've never been a good liar."

"I'm telling the truth."

"No."

His voice was gentle.

"You aren't."

For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

Finally, Aria forced another smile.

"Business meeting?"

Lior understood.

She wasn't ready.

So he let it go.

For now.

...

That evening, the Moretti family welcomed Lior to their villa for dinner.

The atmosphere was warm.

Alessandro spoke proudly about Sunset Beauty's expansion into Asia.

Matteo joked about childhood memories.

Even Aria managed to laugh.

For a little while.

Then the front door opened.

Nikolai Volkov arrived.

He greeted everyone politely before walking straight to Aria.

Without asking, he rested a hand at the small of her back.

Possessive.

Claiming.

Lior noticed the way Aria instinctively stiffened.

It was subtle.

Almost invisible.

But it was there.

Dinner continued with conversations about business and international markets.

On the surface, everything appeared perfect.

Beneath the table, Aria's fingers trembled.

When dessert was served, she excused herself and stepped out onto the moonlit terrace.

Fresh air filled her lungs.

For the first time all day, she allowed herself to breathe.

"You always came out here when something was bothering you."

She turned.

Lior stood in the doorway.

"I wanted a minute alone."

"So did I."

He joined her, leaning against the stone railing.

The garden was silent except for the sound of the fountain.

"You don't have to tell me anything," he said quietly.

"But if you're hurting..."

His eyes met hers.

"...you don't have to carry it by yourself."

For a dangerous moment, Aria wanted to tell him everything.

About the fear.

The lies.

The bruises hidden beneath expensive clothes.

Instead, tears gathered in her eyes.

She blinked them away before they could fall.

"I'm fine."

Lior looked at her for a long time.

Then he shook his head gently.

"No," he whispered.

"I don't think you are."

Before either of them could say another word, the terrace doors opened.

Nikolai stood there.

His expression was unreadable.

"Aria."

His voice was calm.

"Everyone is looking for you."

She stepped away from Lior immediately.

"I'll be right there."

Nikolai's eyes shifted briefly to Lior.

The silence between the two men spoke louder than words.

A storm was coming.

And none of them would escape it.