Chapter 3 Broken Promises

The night air was cold, but Ariana barely felt it. Her body moved on autopilot, her heels clicking against the pavement as she walked away from the penthouse that had once been her sanctuary. The city lights blurred around her, distorted by the unshed tears burning behind her eyes.

Her fingers curled into fists, nails digging into her palms. How could she have been so blind?

She had always believed in Liam. Trusted him. Loved him.

But now, as she walked aimlessly through the streets, one question clawed at her mind-Had the signs always been there?

And then, like a floodgate breaking open, the memories came crashing in.

Red Flag #1 – The First Lie

It had been six months ago.

Ariana sat on Liam's couch, her long legs curled beneath her as she sipped from a glass of wine. Her dark, wavy hair cascaded over her shoulder, framing her sharp cheekbones and full lips. Her golden-brown skin glowed under the dim living room light, but there was tension in her dark eyes.

She tapped her phone screen, staring at the unanswered text she had sent Liam earlier.

"Hey, are we still on for dinner?"

He hadn't replied, even though the message was marked as read. She frowned, setting her glass down.

The front door swung open moments later, and Liam strolled in, his tie loosened, his shirt wrinkled like he had been out for hours. He froze when he saw her.

"Baby," he greeted, recovering quickly. "Didn't expect you to be here so early."

Ariana tilted her head. "I called. I texted. You didn't answer."

Liam sighed, rubbing his temples. "Work ran late. My phone died."

Ariana frowned, watching as he dropped his keys on the counter. Something about his tone felt... off.

"Really? Because your phone was on when I texted you," she pointed out, studying him. "It even showed you read my message."

For a split second, something flashed across his face-something guilty. Then, just as quickly, it was gone.

"Must've been a glitch," he said smoothly, stepping closer and pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "I'm sorry, baby. It won't happen again."

She had let it go.

And that was her first mistake.

Red Flag #2 – The Weekend He Cancelled

It was supposed to be their weekend away.

Ariana had planned everything-a cozy cabin by the lake, just the two of them, no distractions. She had packed the night before, excited for a break from the chaos of work.

Then, at the last minute, Liam canceled.

She had been sitting on her bed, her dark curls tied in a loose bun, her suitcase zipped and ready to go when the call came.

"Baby," Liam's voice came through the speaker. "I have to cancel. Something urgent came up at work."

Disappointment settled like a weight in her stomach. "Can't it wait?"

Liam sighed. "I wish it could, but it's an emergency. I'll make it up to you, okay?"

Ariana hesitated. "You swear?"

"I swear."

She had believed him.

But two days later, she saw a picture on social media.

Liam-at a party, drink in hand, laughing with a group of friends.

Including Sienna.

Ariana had confronted him, anger burning in her veins. "I thought you had an emergency!"

Liam had sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I did. It was a work event, and I didn't want to stress you out. I knew you'd be upset if I canceled, so I figured it was better to just... not tell you."

And like a fool, she had let it go.

Red Flag #3 – The Way Sienna Looked at Him

Ariana had known Sienna since college. They had been inseparable-sisters in everything but blood.

So when Sienna had started getting too comfortable around Liam, Ariana had pushed down the unease, convincing herself she was overthinking.

But now, looking back? She should have trusted her instincts.

She remembered the night clearly.

They had been out for drinks, just the three of them. Liam had gone to get their second round, leaving Ariana and Sienna alone at the table.

Ariana had caught it then-the way Sienna's eyes followed him as he walked away. The way her lips parted slightly, like she was mesmerized by him.

It had been subtle. Too subtle. But Ariana had felt the shift in the air.

"You're staring," she had teased, forcing herself to laugh.

Sienna had blinked, snapping out of her daze. "What? No, I was just-" She giggled, shaking her head. "You know how it is. Liam's just one of those guys who commands attention."

Ariana had smiled, pushing down the tiny sliver of doubt that had wormed its way into her heart.

Why hadn't she pressed further? Why hadn't she trusted her gut?

Red Flag #4 – The Phone Call at Midnight

It had been late.

Ariana had been drifting off to sleep when she heard Liam's phone vibrate on the nightstand. She wouldn't have thought anything of it-except Liam's entire body had tensed the moment the sound filled the room.

Her sleepy mind had barely processed the shift in his breathing before he snatched the phone off the table, turning the screen away from her as he answered.

"Yeah?" His voice was hushed, cautious.

Ariana had propped herself up on one elbow, blinking the sleep from her eyes. "Who is it?"

Liam had glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "Work," he said quickly. "Go back to sleep, baby."

And then he had gotten up, stepping out onto the balcony, closing the door behind him.

Ariana had stared at the empty space beside her, unease creeping into her chest.

She should have demanded answers. She should have followed him outside.

But she hadn't.

She had ignored it.

And now?

Now she was paying the price.

Ariana inhaled sharply, her legs finally slowing as she came to a stop in the middle of an empty street.

The streetlights cast a soft glow against her golden-brown skin, highlighting the sharp angles of her jaw, the depth of her dark eyes.

She pressed a hand to her chest, feeling the rapid beat of her heart.

The signs had always been there.

The lies. The betrayals. The moments she had excused.

She had let it all happen.

But no more.

Ariana lifted her chin, her jaw tightening.

She may have ignored the red flags before.

But now?

Now she would never ignore them again.

And Liam and Sienna?

They were going to regret every single time they had fooled her.