The Birthday Betrayal

Liora’s POV

“Cancel all my meetings for today,” I instructed my assistant, Ava, rising from my office chair as I slipped into my tailored suit jacket.

“Yes, ma’am,” she replied promptly, already typing on her tablet.

“Where is the Patek Philippe watch?” I asked, glancing at her.

“It’s in your car, ma’am.”

“Good. Once I get home, take the car and pick up the exact pair of shoes I ordered,” I added while walking toward the door.

“Of course.”

A small smile curved my lips as I imagined the look on Lucien’s face when he saw the watch. It was from his favorite brand, and I had spent weeks searching for the perfect one.

Today was his birthday, and no matter how busy my schedule was, I had to make it home in time. After all, the reason I stood where I was today was partly because of him.

“It’ll definitely make his day,” I murmured softly.

Ava grabbed my briefcase, and we headed out together.

When I arrived home, something immediately felt strange. The gates were open, and so were the front doors.

I stepped into the living room, the gift box still in my hands, but the house was eerily quiet.

“Lucien?” I called, but there was no response.

Just as I was about to head upstairs, faint voices drifted from the guest room down the hallway.

My lips curled into a playful smile. “Perfect”. 

I quietly slipped off my heels and tiptoed toward the door, planning to surprise him.

But just as I got closer, a voice stopped me in my tracks.

“Your supposed wife isn’t even here.”

The soft, mocking tone was painfully familiar.

My heart skipped a beat.

That was Elara, my half-sister. But… she had been overseas for years.

What was she doing here?

“Five years already… you actually kept the bet?”

Another voice spoke, deep and amused.

That was James, one of Lucien’s closest friends.

My brows furrowed in confusion.

What bet?

Then Lucien’s voice followed, filled with pride and amusement.

“Of course. Making a woman like Liora fall in love isn’t that hard.”

The words struck me like a slap across the face.

My body froze.

“Stupid woman,” Elara scoffed with a mocking laugh. “Acting all high and mighty. She probably still thinks you saved her and the company.”

My heart began to pound in my chest.

“I was the one who destroyed her father’s company,” Lucien said casually.

The words exploded in my mind like a bomb.

“We did it together,” Elara corrected proudly.

A sharp pain shot through my chest.

After my father’s death, he left his company to me, his eldest daughter. Elara and her mother, Stephanie, had always hated that.

Not long after, the company mysteriously collapsed and was eventually bought by Lucien.

Desperate, I had gone to him and begged for help, but Lucien had offered me a deal; marry him, and he would help me rebuild the company.

I had believed he did it because he loved me… now everything suddenly made sense.

Then I heard the unmistakable sound of lips meeting.

My stomach twisted.

“You two really are perfect for each other,” Anderson said with admiration.

The same Anderson who had once praised Lucien endlessly in front of me.

The same man who had told me Lucien loved me so much he would die if I ever left him.

Was this all a lie?

“I’m grateful you’re taking good care of Bianca, our daughter,” Elara said softly.

My world stopped.

How was that possible? Bianca was my own biological daughter. Three years ago, I was pregnant and gave birth to her myself. Lucien had held me as I cried in labor.

What was Elara saying?

“I bet she still thinks she’s her mother,” Lucien said, bursting into mocking laughter.

“When her own child is probably suffering on the streets… or maybe even dead by now,” Elara added as they all burst into laughter.

Now I understand why he always said he didn’t want another child, that Bianca was enough, and that we should transfer our companies into her name.

Silly me, I had accepted, believing she was my daughter.

Now the truth stood before me like a blade piercing through my chest; my own husband had swapped my child with his mistress… my half-sister.

“Now her company belongs to Bianca, thinking she’s her daughter,” Lucien added.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to remain still.

“I’m so proud of my baby,” Elara laughed. “Soon, we’ll throw her out of your house and life.”

The gift box slipped from my trembling hands. I barely caught it before it hit the floor, but the faint sound still echoed through the hallway.

My breath hitched.

I quickly stepped backward, quietly returned to the living room, then ran outside.

My hands were shaking as I pulled out my phone.

“Ava,” I said the moment she answered. “Don’t bother picking up the shoes anymore.”

Without waiting for her response, I ended the call.

I took a deep breath, forcing the tears threatening to spill to retreat.

Then I walked back into the living room and called loudly.

“Lucien! Lucien!”

Footsteps approached almost immediately.

Lucien walked out first, followed by Elara, James, and Anderson.

“Happy birthday,” I said, forcing a smile as Lucien smiled warmly and stepped toward me.

I handed him the gift box.

“Oh! What a lovely couple,” James said with admiration.

Lucien opened the box, and the familiar charming smile appeared on his face, just as I had imagined it.

“Thank you,” he said before setting it down on the sofa and pulling me into a hug.

My gaze shifted toward James and Anderson as they smiled… fake smiles.

Elara stood behind them with her arms folded, her expression sour.

“Ah!” Elara suddenly cried out, clutching her stomach.

Lucien immediately released me.

“What’s wrong?” he asked anxiously.

Without answering, Elara rushed toward the bathroom, and Lucien hurried after her without hesitation.

I stood there silently as the two men remained behind.

“It’s nothing serious,” Anderson said quickly. “Just menstrual cramps.”

A faint smile appeared on my lips.

“Oh… really?”

“You married a good man,” James added with a grin. “Lucien cares deeply about you and your family.”

I nodded slowly. “I must be very lucky.”

I turned and walked away before the bitterness in my chest could spill over.

Once inside the bedroom, my strength finally collapsed.

I sank onto the bed, my body trembling.

“How could he…”

The words never finished as the tears I had been holding back finally burst free.

Just then, my phone rang.

I wiped my face quickly and glanced at the screen: Ava.

I answered immediately.

“Ava, I need you to send someone to Morgan Hospital,” I said coldly.

“Ask to see Nurse Kay. Tell him to see me tomorrow in my office.”

My fingers tightened around the phone.

“Tell him to see me tomorrow in my office.”

“Ma’am… I…” I ended the call without waiting for a response, I turned and faced the ceiling while lying on the bed.

An hour later, my phone began ringing again, It was still Ava.

“Yes?” I answered coldly.

“Ma’am, I went to get Bianca from school, but when I got there she was unconscious,” Ava revealed.

I sat up immediately.

Though she wasn’t my biological daughter, I had taken care of her since she was little and loved her as my own.

“Where are you now?” I asked quickly.

“At Morgan Hospital.” She answered, and I ended the call.

In the living room, they were all sprawled on the couch. They drank until they fell asleep.

Elara was lying on Lucien while he held her protectively, even in his sleep.

I took out my phone and quickly took pictures of them together, fighting back my tears.

“I will destroy everything you love,” I whispered.

Then I turned and left.