1 Chapter One: Shattered Trust

The grand ballroom shinned with elegance as Marcus Gallagher stood at its center, surrounded by a sea of smiling faces and glittering chandeliers. Tonight was no ordinary evening; it was a secret celebration of love, orchestrated by Marcus and his loyal friend, Richard, to propose to his beloved Victoria.

As the cameras flashed, Marcus couldn't contain his excitement; his heart thumped with anticipation of the life-changing moment he had planned with Richard.

As the night progressed, Marcus excused himself, unaware that his blissful world was about to crumble. A sense of unease washed over him as he stepped outside to take an urgent phone call, the city lights twinkling like stars above.

"Hello who is on the line he asked", it was the delivery guy from Soulmate Jewelry who sounded the caller," are you Mr. Gallagher the delivery man asked, ", yes answered Marcus, can you please step outside to receive your package".

Returning to the ballroom, Marcus followed the back door as he had to unwrap the package he received which contain a beautiful diamond ring which a heart inscription, "This is beautiful I know Victoria will love it" Hiding the ring in his suit pocket he followed the passage which led to the ballroom from the back door there he spotted Victoria engrossed in conversation with Alex, her eyes s shimmering with a mixture of love and desire. His heart faltered, sensing that something was amiss. He watched from afar, the sinking feeling in his gut growing with each passing second.

As Marcus observed their exchanged glances, he couldn't help but feel like an outsider in his own love story. Unbeknownst to him, the woman he adored was weaving a web of deceit, enslaving his heart in her carefully crafted trap.

Desperate to dispel his growing suspicion, Marcus discreetly followed Victoria and Alex, his heart pounding like a drum. With each step, anxiety gripped him tighter, until he stumbled upon them locked in an embrace, their lips pressed together in a passionate kiss.

"You look beautiful and sexy tonight said Alex" amidst the kissing with his hands roaming around her two peaks and her ass, "you also look hot and dashing Victoria" uttered in between moans coming from her mouth as her hands caress his neck down to his chest and other sensitive parts of his body.

Betrayal struck Marcus like a thunderbolt. The world around him seemed to slow down as he witnessed the woman he loved, the woman he was about to propose to, entwined with another man in an act of unforgivable treachery.

"His voice trembled with hurt as he confronted them, "Victoria, how could you do this to me?"

Victoria's eyes widened with guilt, her facade crumbling before him. At that moment, all her carefully crafted lies were exposed, leaving her vulnerable and exposed.

"It's not what it seems," Victoria stammered, her voice betraying the truth she had tried so hard to hide.

Marcus felt a surge of anger and sadness wash over him. "How long have you been seeing him behind my back?" he demanded, his heart breaking with each word.

Alex sneered, his arrogance evident, "You can't hold onto someone who doesn't want to be held."

Victoria's silence spoke volumes, confirming his worst fears. The love he had believed to be pure and true had been tainted by deception, leaving him feeling like a fool for not seeing through her charade earlier.

At that moment, Marcus realized that Victoria had never truly loved him. She had been drawn to his wealth and status, using him as a means to elevate her social standing. The warmth of their love had been replaced by the cold calculation of a woman driven by greed.

The pain of betrayal cut deep, leaving Marcus feeling hollow and broken. The engagement ring he had chosen with such care now felt like a weight around his finger, a symbol of the love that had slipped through his fingers like sand.

Without another word, he turned away from Victoria, his heart unwilling to bear any more pain. He felt like a stranger in a world he had once called his own.

Marcus rushed back to the ballroom he picked up his car keys and walked out his face cold as ice, Richard noticing the change in his attitude run after him.

"What's up buddy why are you looking like an ice prince at your engagement party are you still nervous or do you want me to organize some chicks to calm down your nerves Richard joked".

Turning to Richard Marcus "shouted am not ever going to be engaged to that slut and gold digger and don't ever mention her or any chick to me again", "Read my lips ever again" Marcus raged as he continues to his car, he got in and drove out with high speed nearly knocking off Richard.

Richard rushed back to the hotel and summoned the hotel manager, "bring me to see your CCTV of an hour ago he commanded, "yes sir answered the manager shivering in his mind he wondered what could be the problem hoping he was not implicated as he knows the influence of Richards family and worse still he's a close friend with the Gallaghers sole heir Marcus a word from either of them can render him a destitute.

Some minutes later Richard understood what happened no wonder Marcus was in so much rage, no man will tolerate such betrayal not even him a renowned playboy not to talk of Marcus who was faithful and dedicated to his partner.

Turning to the hotel manager, "Delete this footage and make sure the words of this never get out or seen by another person", or else you don't have to bother remaining alive he threatened", yes. "Sir..you can be rest assured that I will handle this well I swear with my life", the manager voiced out with sweats rolling down his face.

"You better make sure of that" Richard scoffed and walked out with hands in his pocket. That was a close call, mr Simon the hotel manager breathed out of relief, at the pressure he had just survived he wouldn't want a part two, he quickly rushed out to carry out the necessary arrangements.

Back in his penthouse, Marcus crumbled to his knees, tears flowing freely down his cheeks. The love he had believed to be pure and true had turned out to be nothing more than an illusion, a mirage that had vanished before his eyes.

Picking up his phone he dialed a number

"Hello, Mr. Gallagher" what can I do for you" answered the person on the phone.

"Find out everything about Alex and Victoria my fiancee" within the shortest period" ok answered the caller".

"And note you must not miss out on any details about these two for the past ten years including what they do daily and even wear to bed or else don't bother resuming back to work understood" Marcus ordered before hanging up. Marcus still hopes that what he saw tonight was a mistake hence he ordered an investigation.

Richard drove in shortly to be by his side, he tried consoling him to no avail, he just has to sit near him accompanying him in swallowing down bottles upon bottles of whiskey, he feared that Marcus would harm himself out of grief if he leaves him alone.

The vibrant ambitious businessman now found himself in sorrow, his drive and passion quelled by the heartbreak that consumed him. His once warm smile vanished, replaced by a vacant stare that mirrored the void within.

The proposal that had been meant to be a celebration of love now became a painful reminder of his shattered dreams. The ring he had chosen with such care now lay hidden away, an emblem of the love that had slipped through his fingers.

Victoria's lack of remorse only deepened Marcus's heartache. He couldn't fathom how she could walk away from the love they had shared, leaving him to pick up the pieces of his shattered heart.

No one could understand how heartbroken he felt only Richard could catch a glimpse of the love he has for Victoria, he so much loved Victoria that he was willing to include her name in the family asserts and businesses after the proposal but thank God he found out on time if not he would have been giving out billions of dollars to a cheat.

Ping….. The sound of the phone rang, and reluctantly he picked it up, trying to hide his pain he answered "Hello Grandpa what's up with you, "Marcus are you alright questioned senior Gallagher", "am cool Grandpa" responded Marcus trying to fake a laugh. "You don't have to try hiding anything from me as I know already", don't forget kid am mr Gallagher "Marcus' grandpa chuckled".

I called you to let you remind you that you are a Gallagher" "Don't disappoint me you have to be strong ok" And don't forget to drop by for dinner on Sunday night, "I will have your favorite dinner prepared bye boy" grandpa hanged up.

Marcus buried his face in his palms the whispers of his heart echoed through the empty spaces of his penthouse, a haunting reminder of the love he had lost. The walls that once bore witness to their laughter and affection now seemed to mock him, their memories haunting him at every turn.

In the depths of his pain, Marcus couldn't have imagined that this devastating betrayal would happen to him.

Marcus was lost in the abyss of betrayal and heartbreak when his phone rang "Hello Andrew, am done with the assignment mr Gallagher Andrew answered, ", email it to me Marcus replied".

After some minutes Marcus received a notification from Andrew, he logged into his computer with his hands shivering as his hands danced through the keyboard.

"what exclaimed Marcus, I can't believe this he muttered with tears rolling down his face.

What is the content of the email that could cause the number young billionaire to shed tears find out in our next chapter.