A Billionaire's Revenge and Redemption

es she'd baked for Liam , her boyfriend. Restless, she checked her ph

e feeding her unease. Something must have happened to keep him from

ef flooded through her; at least he was home. But one question lingered stubb

greet her with his usual warmth-his easy smile, his familiar charm that always

ped up in work, she thought. Liam was always busy, often lost in one

ok another breath, her fingers tightening slightly around the pastry box, willing herself

ession faded as a young woman stepped into view, her face

e regarded Elena, a trace of amusement flickering t

that disappeared the instant he saw Elena standing there. His expression s

air of something illicit hanging in the air-Elena

, brushed past Elena with a casual, almost dismissive glance.

s swirling. Her eyes darted from the woman's retreati

elt her grip tighten around the small

er quickly took hold, overriding the initial shock. Without hesitation, she threw

rt pounding wildly. The betrayal she felt was immense, yet her voice

r now laced with guilt. He gave a weak shrug, as though he was

er was obvious. "Look, Elena, it's just that... you didn't want to do th

ing for any hint of remorse or apology in his eyes, but found nothing except a careless indifference. She

"You think that justifies this? You'r

didn't think you'd understand. You're always busy with school an

g was somehow her fault, made her blood boil. Her hands clenched

nd steady. "I trusted you, Liam. I though

, I was t

s so dramatic, Elena. This isn't some novel you're writing; this is rea

educed everything she'd worked for-her dreams, her efforts, her loyalty-to n

" she said coldly, h

ting any more of it on you. I hope

She walked away, her back straight and her steps firm. But as soon as

tep an effort not to break down. The familiar sting of tears pri

r mind a whirlwind of emotions barely held in check. Betrayal, anger, h

thing, she wanted to erase this moment, to rid herself of the memo

tterly lost, as if everything she had once believed in had been torn away in a single, brutal moment. Yet somewhere deep within, a new resolve was har

ars from her cheeks. She didn't know exactly what lay ahead, but one thing was

houghts, her phone buzzed with an incoming call from Li

e tension Elena hadn't even realized she was holding onto. She hesitated for a moment, but knew she needed someone to

ne in the corner, looking small and adrift. Lily walked over

asked softly, her eyes

she managed to speak. "He cheated on me,

ifted from surprise

ne radiating the kind of support Elena hadn't known she need

, managing a weak smile that b

ed, feeling a sliver of rel

tomorrow is my birthday, and I need you there with me, r

ea

er. Looking at Lily, who always seemed to understand a

d, her voice steadier now.