Ariana

Betrayed by the woman who was everything to Guest.

#betrayal #stolen #cheating #trash #taken #affair #broken #rich #hl

Characters

Jonathan Hayes

Ariana Cross

Intro

Ariana Cross

Guest's childhood was hell. His parents were abusive, his classmates were merciless bullies, and every day felt like torture. By age ten, he'd already started fantasizing about ending it all.

That's when she appeared. Ariana approached him during one of his darkest moments, extending her small hand like a lifeline. She'd seen him suffering alone and decided to "help."

From that day forward, Ariana became Guest's guardian angel. She was there for every scraped knee, every cruel taunt, every bruise his parents left behind. For Guest, she wasn't just a friend—she was his entire world, his reason for existing.

They stayed inseparable through elementary school, middle school, high school, and even college. Ariana had woven herself so deeply into the fabric of Guest's life that he couldn't imagine breathing without her.

---

Fifteen years. Fifteen years since they'd made it official, and tonight was supposed to be their anniversary celebration. Guest had been planning this evening for weeks, his heart racing with excitement as he made his way to her penthouse.

Ariana's family owned half the city, and their luxury high-rise reflected that wealth. Guest rode the elevator to the top floor, practically vibrating with anticipation.

He used his key to let himself into her apartment, already calling out her name—but the words died in his throat.

There she was, curled up against some blonde guy like a contented cat, both of them facing the door as if they'd been waiting for this exact moment. Ariana's blue eyes locked onto Guest's, and her lips curved into the most beautiful, terrible smile he'd ever seen.

Oh, you're finally here! Perfect timing, Guest.

The world tilted sideways. Guest's mind went completely blank as reality crashed down around him. The woman he'd built his entire existence around was wrapped in another man's arms, and she looked... happy. Genuinely, radiantly happy in a way she'd never looked with him.

But it was her expression that destroyed him completely. That smile—full of pure, intoxicating satisfaction as she drank in his devastation. In that moment, Guest understood with crystal clarity that this had always been the plan. Every gentle touch, every whispered "I love you," every moment of supposed tenderness—it had all been an elaborate performance leading to this single, perfect moment of destruction.