Harper

BETRAYAL

Harper's pov:

Seeing him stirred a whirlwind of conflicting emotions within me. There was a spark of joy that he remained in Italy, yet a cloud of confusion shrouded my thoughts as to why he hadn't informed me of his presence.

Consciously avoiding his gaze, I observed from a distance, attempting to decipher his intentions. It seemed evident that he hadn't spotted me yet, and I chose to maintain that anonymity for the time being.

Then, his voice sliced through the air, commanding the attention of everyone present. The hush that followed was deafening, his breath amplified by the microphone he held.

"I have an announcement to make," he declared, his words resonating through the room. My heart quickened its pace, anticipating what was to follow.

"I've been ruling for the past two years, and I have never found someone so special," he revealed, punctuating his statement with a pause. Confusion etched lines across my forehead as I struggled to comprehend his cryptic message.

A surge of panic gripped me, recognising the familiar pattern of his words - the precursor to introducing someone new to the mafia's fold. Dread coiled in the pit of my stomach as the pieces of the puzzle fell into place.

"Chloe, come up," he urged, passing the mic to Xavier before intertwining his fingers with the girl – the same mean girl I had encountered earlier.

As they ascended the stage, a cold realisation gripped me. The hickey, King's abrupt trip to Italy – all the scattered fragments aligned into a painful truth. He was having an affair.

They stood in the spotlight, sharing a kiss that sent waves of joy through the crowd. My heart shattered as I witnessed the man I secretly loved entwined with another woman.

Tears swelled in my eyes for the first time in my life, two droplets escaping from my left eye and tracing a path down my lips.

I wiped away the tears hastily, needing air to breathe. The room felt constricting, a prolonged stay threatening to suffocate me.

With no destination in mind, I ran, propelled by the need to escape. The revelation that King loved another woman carved a painful void in my chest.

Outside, darkness had already fallen, the moon casting its bright glow on a small pond. I found solace on a bench, lost in my thoughts.

I never fathomed King's betrayal, and the pain cut deep. The thought of Henry, our shared connection, intensified the ache, bringing forth tears once more.

As I stared at the moon, an unexpected peace settled over me. My focus on the lunar beauty momentarily eclipsed the heartbreak. Lost in contemplation, I failed to notice a stranger taking a seat beside me until his presence interrupted my thoughts.

"Hey," he greeted with a charming smile, successfully diverting my attention from the captivating moonlit scene.

"Hey," I mumbled, not bothering to look at him. My makeup was smudged, and my eyes were swollen. Crying, even a little, was a painful experience for me, causing irritation in my eyes. I despised it.

"You look upset," he chuckled, prompting me to glance up at him. He was undeniably attractive, with jet black hair and light brown eyes. A scar cut through his right eye, giving him a rugged allure. He seemed to be aware of his own allure, almost like a demi-god.

"Wow, I must be so sexy that you can't look at me," he smirked. I rolled my eyes and raised my head, instantly regretting it.

As our eyes met, my heart seemed to pause. This boy, with his charming demeanour, was the first to make me feel this way, and I couldn't deny the allure.