Beyond The Broken Promise

“Hello, ma’am. Welcome,” a maid greeted as Ariel stepped into the Halton mansion. Laughter and cheers drifted from the garden, loud enough to echo through the living room. Ariel paused, her brows knitting together. “Is there something going on?” The maid smiled warmly. “It’s a surprise for Miss Brittany.” A surprise? Ariel’s stomach dropped. Why wasn’t she informed about this and when did Brittany get back?” Before she could press further, a familiar voice called out. “Hey Ariel, you’re here.” “Mom.” Ariel leaned in to kiss Mrs. Halton’s cheek. Mrs Hilton pushed her back lightly, guiding her toward the garden. “We thought you’d be busy with work, so we didn’t disturb you. Come on, go in before you miss it all.” Ariel felt uneasy as she walked down the path leading to the field. The garden was glowing with lights and flowers. Guests were all over the place, sitting across decorated tables, their glasses clinking, and voices cheerful. For a moment, Ariel’s chest eased a bit when her eyes found him. Mason Halton. There he was in a well tailored suit, his hair perfectly blown by the evening breeze. He looked like something out of a painting. A silly, wide smile spread across her face. She felt like a love struck teenager. Even after two years of them being engaged, he still had that effect on her. Her gaze shifted to Brittany, her oldest friend, she didn’t even know she was back in California. Ariel started walking toward her to say Hi. Halfway, a repeated clink of glass pulled her attention. “Ladies and gentlemen,” Darren’s voice rang out, “Mason has something to say.” The crowd hushed, all eyes turning to him. Ariel stood still waiting to hear what he had to say. Mason Halton stood, straightening his jacket. He walked toward the direction of Brittany. Ariel’s stomach tightened. And then he bent down, then he was on one knee. The garden erupted with gasps, cheers and applause. Ariel’s heart stopped, she didn't understand what was happening. “Brittany,” Mason called out with a steady voice and a smile plastered on his face. He pulled out a red velvet box, flipping it open. “Will you marry me?” The ring shined bright. No doubt it was a diamond. Ariel’s lips parted, but no sound came. Brittany’s hand flew to her mouth before she let out a giggle. “Yes.. Yes, I’ll marry you!” The guest's voices roared with cheers as Mason slid the ring into Brittany’s finger. He stood up and they kissed passionately, the guest cheered even louder. Ariel stood there frozen, her heart racing in a way she couldn't control. Something inside her caved in. Ten years, ten years of loving him, of waiting for all the promises he made to be fulfilled. Two years of finally being engaged but silently and secretly, because he needed “time” before telling his family. For two years she believed in him. She felt like a fool for thinking she, an orphan, would be able to marry into a prominent family like the Haltons. Her legs refused to move, her body became numb, while her heart screamed inside her chest. The betrayal was too much for her. She tried to control her raging breath and turned abruptly, fleeing before anyone else could see her. But Mason saw her back and excused himself walking behind her. Ariel was halfway to where she packed her car. When his voice called out. “Ariel!” She pretended not to hear and kept walking, holding the tears in. He ran to her and grabbed her hands pulling her back. “Don’t you dare touch me!” Ariel yanked her hand free. “Ariel.. why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” Mason said, his voice soft, almost casual, as if none of this had just happened. Her chest heaved. “Are you insane? That’s the first thing you say to me?” Her voice cracked, but anger pushed the tears back. “Ariel, please, I can explain…” “Explain?” She let out a bitter laugh. “What exactly are you explaining Mason? Is the marriage between you and Brittany not already finalized?” He was silent. Ariel clung to the smallest bit of hope there is, hoping he'd say NO, to say it wasn’t true. But his silence answered everything. Her throat tightened and her vision blurred. She didn’t want to cry in front of him, he didn’t deserve that. Turning on her heel, she fled, refusing to let him see her torn apart. “Ariel, wait please.” He wanted to run after her, but at that moment, his phone rang, he stopped. He glanced at the caller ID. “Darling.” Ariel heard him say. “Where did you run off to…” came the voice on the other end. Ariel slammed her car door shut behind her. Her sobs came hard and fast, ripping through her chest. Ten years, ten years wasted loving him. She pressed her forehead against the steering wheel, the leather cool against her burning skin, praying this was a joke, a twisted prank. That he’d come running to tell her it was all fake. But the garden lights twinkled in her rearview mirror, and no one came. This wasn’t a movie. This was her reality. She remembered the night he proposed to her in her apartment, how she’d cried with joy, how she’d respected his wishes to keep it hidden. She hadn’t even worn her ring once for two years. She gave him time. She gave him all of herself. And now she realized how foolish she’d been. She did what some people would do after a heart break… Get drunk. By the time she reached a local bar, she was already too hollow inside. The alcohol burned down her throat and she welcomed the sting. One glass became two, then three. Untill the bartenders stopped her before she staggered outside, she kicked her shoes off and walked barefoot, the rough pavement biting her feet. Her phone buzzed. She squinted at the screen. The name Mason with a lot of heart emojis filled her screen. “Ariel, where are you? Please respond, i'm going crazy” Before, his name would have made her smile. Now it carved deeper wounds. She swiped the notification away, only to accidentally open a message from her boss. “Be at work by 6 a.m. to revise the project.” “F*ck,” she muttered. In her state, that was a miracle waiting to fail. A loud bitter laugh escaped her lips. Strangers glanced at her as if she were dangerous but she was already broken. She clenched her fists, pounding them weakly against her chest as if she could beat the ache out. Mason had been her closest person for many years. He’d nursed her when she was sick, held her when she cried, he basically knew the in and out of her life. He cared and loved her so much. Had all of it been a lie? Deep in thought, she didn’t see the black Lamborghini speeding in her direction. The man inside cursed softly, his temples throbbing from an headache. By the time his vision cleared, A woman in the blue dress staggered in front. He slammed the brakes. Ariel’s scream pierced through the air The tires shrieked a few inches from her, but she was already on the ground unconscious. Lorence Artan stepped out, the evening light shining on his tailored suit. He crouched, checking her pulse. He breathed a sigh of relief. She was still alive. He debated between taking her to the hospital or his place. Hospital would mean headlines and news. He couldn’t risk it. So it was the latter. Without a word, he lifted her carefully and placed her in the back seat of his car.