Sweet Betrayal

Chapter 16

Chapter 16: A Storm Beneath the Sand

A week after his father was discharged, Lorenzo had to fly to the Middle East for urgent business. As he packed, his mother knocked gently on the door, a small smile on her face.

“You should take Shanaya with you,” she said softly.

Lorenzo turned. “It’s business, Mama. Not a honeymoon.”

“Exactly. You never had one. She’s your wife, Lorenzo. Take her. Let her see your world,” she insisted, gently placing her hand on his arm. “Besides… a change of scenery might be good for both of you.”

And so, that evening, Shanaya found herself boarding a sleek private jet with Lorenzo. She had never flown like this before—luxury seats, soft lighting, and a quiet hum that made her feel like she was floating through a dream. Lorenzo, ever the gentleman, made sure she was comfortable, offering her a drink and even adjusting the blanket when she dozed off halfway through the flight.

They arrived in Dubai the next morning.

Lorenzo’s penthouse was perched atop a high-rise building overlooking the city skyline. Floor-to-ceiling windows flooded the apartment with sunlight, and the view of the desert meeting the ocean was surreal.

“This place is beautiful,” Shanaya breathed as she stepped inside.

“It’s yours for the week,” Lorenzo said, offering her a warm glance. “Make yourself at home.”

While he was busy with meetings, Shanaya spent her days exploring the city with a chauffeur, walking along the beach near the penthouse, and journaling her thoughts—trying to make sense of the emotions stirring within her heart.

On the third evening, the doorbell rang.

A tall, stunning woman with wavy chestnut hair, bronze skin, and emerald eyes stepped inside like she owned the place.

“Mia,” Lorenzo said, surprised, and stood up to greet her. “It’s been forever!”

She hugged him tightly—too tightly—and smiled over his shoulder. “I had to see if it was true. You got married?”

Shanaya stood, politely offering her hand. “I’m Shanaya.”

Mia looked her up and down, her smile thin. “Lovely. Didn’t expect Lorenzo to settle down so soon.”

Mia was everything Shanaya wasn’t—bold, flirtatious, effortless in her charm. She spoke quickly, laughed loudly, and wasn’t shy about touching Lorenzo’s arm during conversations.

At first, Shanaya thought nothing of it. They were old friends. She had no right to feel anything… right?

But the next day, when Mia showed up again—this time in a tight dress, bringing Lorenzo coffee from “their favorite café”—something inside Shanaya began to twist.

Especially when she leaned in and whispered something in his ear, making him laugh.

Shanaya smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes.

When Mia brushed past her and called from the kitchen, “Lorenzo, remember that time in Morocco? I still can’t believe we shared that little room for three days,” Shanaya stiffened.

Lorenzo just chuckled, “You nearly burnt down the entire hotel trying to make pancakes.”

Shanaya looked away. Her fingers clenched the edge of the sofa cushion. She hated the unfamiliar feeling rising inside her—tight, prickly, and burning behind her chest.

Jealousy.

She didn’t want to admit it. But Mia was invading her space. Her time. Her husband.

Later that night, while Lorenzo reviewed documents in the study, Shanaya stared out the window, her reflection faint against the glittering skyline.

She didn’t love him. But something inside her ached every time Mia smiled at him.

And that terrified her more than she wanted to admit.