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Chapter 12 Lies
Sienna Hayes had always prided herself on her ability to read people.
It was how she had survived in high society, how she had climbed her way up from a nobody to a woman who belonged in exclusive circles. She knew how to manipulate conversations, how to be sweet and charming when necessary, and how to bend men to her will
But as she stood outside Liam Carter’s office, coffee tray in hand, something felt… off.
The air had been different between them ever since the charity gala. At first, Liam had assured her that everything was fine. That Ariana was just throwing a fit. That she would get over it.
But then the rumors started.
At first, they had seemed like nothing small, whispered gossip about Liam’s infidelities,
But now?
Now, people were talking, And not just about Ariana.
They were saying Liam had cheated on her, too.
Sienna had laughed it off the first time she heard it. Ridiculous, she had thought. I’m the one he chose.
But now, she wasn’t so sure.
Her grip tightened on the coffee tray as she knocked on his office door, taking a deep breath before pushing it
open.
Liam sat at his desk, fingers massaging his temples, his usually sharp blue eyes filled with irritation. Papers were scattered across the desk, his laptop open to an email thread filled with damage control messages.
She stepped inside, the click of her heels against the hardwood floor loud in the thick silence.
Liam barely looked up. “What is it, Sienna?”
Sienna’s lips pressed into a thin line. He had been snapping at her a lot lately. More distant, more agitated.
She forced a sweet smile, walking over and setting his coffee down in front of him. “I thought you could use a break.”
Liam exhaled, reaching for the cup. “Thanks.”
She perched on the edge of his desk, crossing her legs slowly, making sure his eyes lingered on her for just a second. “Busy morning?”
Liam let out a dry laugh. “You could say that.”
Sienna tilted her head. “Is it because of the rumors?”
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Liam’s expression froze for a millisecond. A flicker of something crossed his face–annoyance, maybe even guilt. But it was gone as quickly as it came
He leaned back in his chair, casual, unbothered. “It’s bullshit. Just Ariana playing games.”
Sienna hummed. “That’s what I thought. But it’s spreading fast, Liam.”
Liam’s jaw ticked. “And?”
Sienna exhaled. “And people aren’t just talking about her anymore.” She tapped her manicured nails against
his desk, her voice light but sharp. “They’re saying you cheated on me too.”
Liam’s eyes snapped to hers, something cold and dangerous flashing in them. “Do you believe them?”
Sienna let out a small, breathy laugh. “Of course not.”
But that was a lie.
And Liam knew it.
His expression didn’t change, but the tension between them thickened.
She watched him closely, looking for any telltale signs. A flicker of the eye, a tightening of the jaw–anything that would confirm that there was some truth to these rumors.
Liam leaned forward, placing his elbows on the desk. “Sienna, you and I both know Ariana is doing this to get back at me. She’s bitter. She’s hurt. She wants revenge. That’s all this is.”
Sienna nodded slowly, but the seed of doubt was already planted.
Liam had charmed her into thinking she was different.
That she was special.
But the thing about men like Liam?
They didn’t change.
They didn’t cheat once–they cheated until they got caught.
Sienna let out a soft sigh, feigning nonchalance. “You’re right. She’s just being dramatic.”
Liam smirked slightly. “Exactly.”
But his smirk didn’t reach his eyes.
Sienna bit her lip, lowering her gaze. “Still… it’s frustrating, you know? People looking at me like I’m just another woman you’re going to toss aside when you’re done.”
Liam’s fingers tightened around his coffee cup, but his voice remained smooth. “That’s not going to happen.”
Sienna tilted her head, testing him. “Isn’t it?”
Liam’s jaw tensed. “No.”
Silence settled between them, the weight of unspoken suspicions and mistrust hanging heavy.
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Chapter 12 Lies
Sienna studied him carefully, her heart pounding against her ribcage.
If he was lying… she would know.
Finally, Liam exhaled, leaning back again, shifting the subject. “You’re overthinking this, Sienna.” His voice softened, the charm returning. “I chose you, didn’t I?”
Sienna forced a small, relieved smile. “You did.”
She wanted to believe him.
She needed to believe him.
Because if Liam had been unfaithful to her too…
Then she had nothing.
She slid off the desk, smoothing out her dress. “I just needed to hear it from you.”
Liam stood, stepping toward her. “Then stop worrying.” He reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch gentle, reassuring. “I’m not Ariana’s fool. I’m with you.”
Sienna inhaled slowly, letting herself be convinced.
Because what other choice did she have?
If Liam was lying… she wasn’t ready to face it.
Not yet.
She exhaled, offering him a soft smile. “Alright. I’ll let it go.”
Liam smirked, brushing his thumb along her jaw. “Good girl.”
Sienna’s stomach fluttered, just like it always did when he looked at her like that.
But deep down, the doubt still lingered.
She just wasn’t ready to acknowledge it.
So instead, she kissed him softly, letting his arms wrap around her, allowing herself to believe just a little
longer that she had won.
That Liam Carter was hers.
But the truth?
The truth had already started unraveling.
And soon, Sienna would realize-
She had been playing a losing game all along.
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