The Night of Betrayal (Part 1)
Chapter 1: The Night of Betrayal (Part 1)
The dazzling lights of the Grand Imperial Hotel reflected against the marble floors, making every crystal chandelier sparkle like a sky full of stars. Waiters moved gracefully through the crowded ballroom, serving champagne to elegantly dressed guests while a live orchestra filled the room with soft romantic melodies.
Everything looked perfect.
Everything except Ava Carter's heart.
Standing in a breathtaking silver evening gown that hugged her slender figure, Ava smiled politely as another guest congratulated her.
"Congratulations, Miss Carter! You and Ethan make such a beautiful couple."
"Thank you," she replied with a graceful smile, though something inside her felt strangely uneasy.
Tonight was supposed to be the happiest night of her life.
It was the celebration of her engagement to Ethan Brooks, the man she had loved for nearly four years. Their families had spent months planning this luxurious party, inviting the city's wealthiest businessmen, politicians, celebrities, and socialites.
In less than an hour, Ethan was supposed to announce the date of their wedding.
Yet...
He had disappeared.
Ava glanced around the crowded ballroom again.
No Ethan.
She checked her phone.
No calls.
No messages.
No explanation.
Her fingers tightened around the delicate crystal glass she was holding.
"Have you seen Ethan?" she asked one of his close friends.
The young man looked surprised.
"I thought he was with you."
Her smile stiffened.
"No..."
"He left about twenty minutes ago."
Twenty minutes?
Without telling her?
A strange feeling settled deep inside her chest.
Not fear.
Not yet.
Just...
Uneasiness.
Across the ballroom, Ava noticed her younger sister, Emily, was also missing.
Emily never missed an opportunity to be the center of attention.
Especially tonight.
She had spent nearly an hour taking photos and showing off her expensive designer dress.
Now she was nowhere to be seen.
Ava shook her head.
"I'm overthinking," she whispered to herself.
Maybe Ethan was preparing a surprise.
He loved surprises.
Didn't he?
She forced another smile as guests continued congratulating her.
"Excuse me for a moment."
Leaving the ballroom, Ava stepped into the quiet hallway outside.
The music became faint.
The cheerful laughter faded behind the heavy golden doors.
Silence welcomed her.
She dialed Ethan's number.
Ring...
Ring...
Ring...
No answer.
She frowned.
Again.
Still nothing.
"Ethan..." she murmured.
Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she walked toward the hotel's private suites.
Every instinct told her something wasn't right.
She reached the elevator and pressed the button.
Ding.
The doors opened.
The ride to the executive floor felt unusually long.
Her reflection stared back at her from the mirrored walls.
Beautiful makeup.
Perfect hairstyle.
Diamond engagement ring.
Everything she had dreamed of.
Everything she believed symbolized forever.
The elevator doors slid open.
The hallway was empty.
Only dim golden lights illuminated the expensive carpet.
"Ethan?"
Her voice echoed softly.
No reply.
She walked farther.
Suite 801.
Empty.
Suite 803.
Silent.
Then...
She heard it.
A laugh.
A woman's laugh.
Soft.
Playful.
Familiar.
Very familiar.
Ava froze.
"No..."
It couldn't be.
Another laugh followed.
This time accompanied by a man's deep chuckle.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
The voices came from Suite 809.
The presidential suite Ethan had reserved earlier that afternoon.
Her breathing became shallow.
Slowly...
She walked toward the door.
Every step felt heavier than the last.
Halfway there, she stopped.
"You're imagining things," she whispered.
"They're probably discussing the surprise."
She wanted to believe it.
She needed to believe it.
But then...
She heard Ethan's voice.
"I've wanted this for so long."
A woman giggled.
"So have I."
Ava's entire body went cold.
That voice...
Emily.
Her sister.
"No..."
She hurried forward, her hands trembling violently.
The suite door wasn't fully closed.
A narrow gap remained.
From inside came another laugh.
Then Ethan's voice again.
"I should've chosen you from the beginning."
Emily laughed softly.
"You still can."
Ava felt as though someone had driven a knife straight through her heart.
Her vision blurred.
Her breathing became uneven.
Slowly...
She pushed the door open.
The room fell silent.
Two shocked faces turned toward her.
Ethan.
Emily.
Her fiancé...
And her own sister...
Standing in each other's arms.
The champagne bottle lay forgotten on the floor.
Emily's lipstick stained Ethan's collar.
His tie hung loosely around his neck.
Neither of them could deny what had happened.
For several long seconds...
No one spoke.
Ava simply stared.
Unable to breathe.
Unable to move.
Unable to believe the nightmare unfolding before her eyes.
A single tear escaped down her cheek.
Then another.
And another.
Finally, she found her voice.
"...Emily?"
Her sister looked away.
"Ethan?"
The man who had promised to love her forever lowered his eyes in guilt.
At that moment...
Ava realized that tonight wasn't the beginning of her happily ever after.
It was the beginning of the greatest betrayal of her life.
End of Part 1...
