Betrayed by Promise Ring

The candlelight flickered across Maddox's face as he reached into his pocket. My heart fluttered as I watched him pull out a small velvet box.

"Macie," he said, his voice low and sincere, "one year ago tonight, you chose to stay for me."

I smiled, remembering that night when I'd torn up my plane ticket and told my parents I wouldn't be leaving the country with them. The night I'd chosen Maddox over everything else.

"This is for you," he said, opening the box to reveal a delicate silver ring with a small diamond. "A promise ring. I want you to know that no matter what, I'll always choose you too."

I gasped as he slipped it onto my finger. "Maddox, it's beautiful."

"You're beautiful," he whispered, reaching across the table to take my hand. "I love you, Macie. More than anything."

The waiter approached with our wine, and I felt like I was floating. This was everything I'd dreamed of when I'd given up my parents' plans for us to be together.

Maddox's phone buzzed on the table between us. He glanced at it, then back at me.

"Sorry," he said, but his eyes kept darting to the screen.

"Aren't you going to turn it off?" I asked softly.

He hesitated. "It might be important."

Before I could respond, the phone lit up again. This time, when he looked at it, his expression changed.

"I have to take this," he said, already standing.

"Maddox, please," I whispered. "It's our anniversary."

"Just one call," he promised, stepping away from the table.

I watched him walk to the corner of the restaurant, his expression growing increasingly concerned as he listened to whoever was on the other end.

"Macie," he said when he returned, already reaching for his jacket. "I'm so sorry, but I have to go."

"What? Why?"

"It's Danielle," he explained, not quite meeting my eyes. "She's having a flare-up. She says it's the worst one yet."

"Danielle?" I repeated, the name tasting bitter on my tongue. "Can't someone else help her?"

"No one understands her condition like I do," he insisted, already moving toward the door. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."

"Maddox," I called after him, my voice barely audible. "Please stay. Just for tonight."

But he was already gone.

---

Three nights later, I was walking home from the library. It was nearly midnight, and the campus was eerily quiet. I decided to take a shortcut through an alleyway to save time.

That's when I heard footsteps behind me.

"Hey there, pretty girl," a male voice called out.

I quickened my pace, but they matched it easily.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you," another voice said.

I turned to see three men blocking my path. One of them stepped closer, and I could smell alcohol on his breath.

"Please," I whispered, backing away until I hit the wall. "I don't want any trouble."

"Neither do we," the tallest one said with a smirk.