Secret Temptation

Bella Hart stared at her reflection in the mirror, smoothing down the soft fabric of the red dress that clung to her curves. The dress had cost her more than she could afford, but tonight was special. It had to be. Her fingers trembled slightly as she adjusted her hair, pinning it back just as Liam liked, soft waves cascading down her shoulders. Tonight was their anniversary, and Liam had promised something unforgettable.

"Unforgettable," she whispered to herself, forcing a smile. That's what he'd said. She needed this night to be everything she hoped for-an end to the distant looks, the terse words, the lingering silences that had taken over their relationship in recent months. Maybe Liam had been stressed at work, maybe it was the pressure of everything they'd been through, but tonight would fix it all. He would remember why he loved her, why they were perfect together.

She slipped into her heels and took one last look at herself before heading out of her tiny apartment. The neighborhood was quiet, the streetlights flickering as she waited for the cab Liam had sent. He hadn't come to pick her up, but she brushed the thought aside. He was probably just busy.

The cab pulled up, and she slid into the backseat, her heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nerves. The drive to the hotel was quick, too quick for her to mentally prepare herself. Her fingers danced on the edge of her clutch, trying to shake off the nervous energy. Liam had reserved a room at one of the city's finest hotels-a place far out of their usual reach.

As she stepped into the hotel lobby, the grandeur of the place hit her-marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and the soft hum of wealth. She couldn't help but feel a little out of place, her anxiety spiking. But then she saw Liam standing near the elevators, looking as sharp and polished as ever in his tailored suit. His smile didn't quite reach his eyes.

"There she is," he said, his voice smooth but somehow distant.

Bella smiled, stepping closer, hoping that a hug or kiss would bridge the invisible gap between them. "You look incredible," she whispered, her voice filled with a softness that matched her hopes for the evening.

Liam didn't meet her embrace. Instead, he motioned toward the elevator. "We should head up. I've got something special planned."

She tried to hide her disappointment at his coolness, her smile faltering for a brief second. "Of course," she said, following him into the elevator. As the doors closed, silence settled between them. Bella tried to think of something to say, something that might reignite the spark between them, but her mind was a blank slate of apprehension.

Once they reached the suite, her breath caught in her throat. The room was luxurious, dripping with opulence-silk sheets, a stunning view of the city lights, and a table set for two. Yet something about the scene felt off. It was too staged, too perfect.

Liam moved toward the minibar, pouring two glasses of wine. "I got your favorite," he said, handing her a glass.

Bella took it, staring at the dark red liquid, her fingers grazing the rim of the glass. She smiled at him, though his gaze was still elsewhere, distant. "This is amazing, Liam. I wasn't expecting..."

He cut her off. "I know things have been rough between us," he began, leaning against the bar as he swirled the wine in his glass. "But I wanted to do something special for you. For us."

Her heart softened at his words, and she took a small sip of the wine, tasting the sweetness on her tongue. "I've missed you," she admitted quietly. "I've been feeling like we've been drifting apart, but I want us to work. I want to-"

He interrupted again, his tone suddenly sharp. "Bella, I've been thinking."

Her stomach clenched at the sudden shift in his demeanor. "Thinking about what?"

Liam took a deep breath, setting his glass down on the table. "About us. About our future." He paused, his eyes flicking away from her. "You know how important my reputation is, especially now with the deal I'm trying to secure. I've worked too hard to let anything ruin it."

Bella's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

He stepped toward her, his voice low, almost rehearsed. "You come from a different world than I do. We've been trying to make it work, but the truth is... you're not what I need. I've met someone else."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut, knocking the breath from her lungs. She blinked, trying to process what he'd just said. "What?"

"Her name is Chloe. Chloe Sterling. She's... different. She understands the world I live in, the pressure I'm under. She comes from a family with connections I need. I'm sorry, Bella, but this isn't working."

Her mind was spinning, her heart racing. "Liam, what are you talking about? You're just going to throw everything away? After everything we've been through?"

He sighed, his expression unreadable. "I'm not here to debate this. I wanted to do this face-to-face to avoid a scene, but you need to understand that this is over. We're over."

Bella's hand shook as she set the wine glass down, her throat tightening with the urge to scream, to cry, to demand answers. "So that's it? You're just going to walk away and leave me for someone richer? Someone who fits your perfect little world?"