One Night With My Ex's Billionaire Cousin

Vee's pov Ugh, I’m twenty-two. My birthday’s supposed to be exciting, but I’m not feeling it. I squint at the bright light and try to shake off the sleep. Last night was a struggle, and now I feel like I’ve been hit by a bus. My head’s throbbing, and my body aches all over. I finally took a break from work yesterday after a grueling series of reporting, analyzing, and interviewing famous people around the country. I’m exhausted, but the thought of Liam’s surprise party is keeping me going. It’s supposed to be a fun night, but right now, I can barely muster the energy to get out of bed. I get up slowly, each movement feeling like a chore. My phone, on Do Not Disturb mode, is vibrating with notifications. I switch it back to normal and see messages from Mandy, Kayla, Jasper... and Liam. I open Liam’s text first. ‘Happy Birthday, my girl. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. Cheers to a new age! See you tonight, I have a surprise for you.’ His words always bring a smile to my face. Liam has this way of making everything feel special. I quickly type a response, my thumbs flying across the screen. ‘Can’t wait to see you tonight, babe.’ I hit send and head to the bathroom, trying to shake off the fog of sleep. As I brush my teeth and wash my face, I think about the party. Liam’s been hinting at something big, but he won’t tell me what it is. I can’t decide if I’m excited or nervous. Surprises aren’t really my thing—I’d rather know what’s coming. I choose a pair of comfy jeans and a black tank top, something casual but cute. I want to look nice but not overly dressed up. The thought of being the center of attention at a big party makes me uneasy. Downstairs, Vanessa and Noah are waiting. “Happy Birthday, Vee. I love you always.” Vanessa gives me a warm hug. Our family’s been through a lot, and though Vanessa and I aren’t super close, we’ve become each other’s support system since our parents died. I’m grateful for her, especially today. “Vee, we love you so much. Happy birthday.” Noah smiles warmly. I smile back, feeling a mix of gratitude and anxiety. “Thanks, guys. It means a lot to me.” Vanessa steps back, looking at me with a playful grin. “We’ve got a special breakfast planned for you. Noah made your favorite pancakes, and I brewed your favorite coffee.” We sit down, and Noah serves up the pancakes, each one stacked high and topped with fresh berries and whipped cream. It’s a simple but sweet gesture that makes me feel appreciated. Vanessa raises an eyebrow, teasing me a little. “So, Liam’s got something special planned, huh?” I blush slightly, feeling a flutter of nerves. “Yeah, he’s been hinting at it for weeks.” Noah chuckles. “Well, whatever it is, I’m sure you’ll love it. He’s a great guy.” Yes, he is. ******* The evening arrives, and the anticipation is almost unbearable. Liam leads me to a darkened room, his hand covering my eyes. “Just trust me,” he whispers, his breath warm against my ear. My heart races with a mix of excitement and nervousness. We step inside, and suddenly, a chorus of “Surprise!” erupts. I’m surrounded by friends, balloons, and laughter. For a moment, I’m overwhelmed, but then I see Liam’s smile, and it feels like it’s all worth it. “I love you, Vee.” Liam pulls me close, kissing me slowly and passionately. I’m lost in the moment, feeling like everything is perfect. “Use a room.” Mandy approaches us, her voice cutting through the haze of happiness. Liam looks at me, still holding me close. “Should we?” “I need to pee first, I’ll be back.” I gently push him away, trying to shake off the weird feeling in my gut. I walk through the crowd, excitement mixed with a hint of unease. As I head back, I notice Liam isn’t where I left him. I ask around, but no one has seen him. My heart starts to race, and I can’t shake the feeling that something is wrong. The laughter and chatter of the party fade into background noise as I start searching for him. I try another room, and as I approach the door, I hear moans and giggles. My heart sinks. I push the door open slowly, my hands trembling. What I see is like a punch to the gut. Liam and Mandy are together, lost in a moment of intimacy. His hands are under her shirt, and she’s clinging to him, their bodies entangled. The sight is more than I can handle. “How long has this been going on?” I stutter, my voice barely a whisper. The room feels like it’s spinning. “Right after New Year’s,” Mandy says boldly, not even bothering to hide what they’re doing. “He told me you guys never had s*x. I had to help him out. You should be thankful, b***h!” What the heck. My mind goes blank. I feel like I’ve been punched in the gut, my breath stolen away. I try to process the betrayal, but everything is frozen in shock. How could they? How could he? My boyfriend, my friend... together. Liam doesn’t even try to explain. He just stares at me, continuing his actions. Was I not good enough? Did I not love him enough? I’ve been working so hard since I got my job as a journalist in a prestigious company. It hasn’t been easy, especially after losing my parents. I’ve sacrificed so much for my career and for Liam, only to be betrayed like this. I had plans to surprise him too... by finally having a special moment together. But not anymore. He doesn’t deserve it. “f**k you, Liam!” I spit the words out, my voice trembling with anger and hurt. I turn away from the scene, unable to look any longer. Tears sting my eyes as I stumble out of the room. “Vee, wait!” Alex calls after me, but I’m already gone. I burst out of the party and into the cool night air. The cold hits me like a slap, but I welcome it, desperate for something to jolt me out of this nightmare. Tears stream down my face as I walk, my heart heavy with pain and betrayal. “I’ll never forgive them,” I vow, my words echoing in my mind like a promise. I don’t know where I’m going, but I need to get away. Away from the lies, the betrayal, and the shattered remains of my heart.