The Ultimate Betrayal: A Birthday Party from Hell
Six months ago, my world fell apart. My husband, Nathan, the man I’d loved for years, walked out on me after I caught him cheating—again. The divorce nearly broke me. But my sister, Lena, was my rock. She moved in, forced me to eat, dragged me out of bed, and reminded me I was still alive.
“Get up, Rach,” she’d say, yanking open the curtains. “One step at a time. Today, we’re just going to the coffee shop. That’s all you have to do.”
And slowly, I started healing.
My job as a marketing coordinator at a publishing house helped. I threw myself into book launches and campaigns, and bit by bit, the pain faded. My coworkers noticed.
“There she is,” my friend Kim grinned one day. “I’ve missed that smile.”
Then came my 35th birthday. For the first time in forever, I felt happy. I decided to celebrate—nothing big, just a small dinner at my place with close friends and family.
The night started perfectly. My parents brought a homemade cake, my cousin Derek brought his famous spinach dip, and Kim showed up with my favorite wine.
“Thirty-five looks good on you,” she said, hugging me. “This is your year. I can feel it.”
I wanted to believe her.
Laughter filled the apartment. My dad told his terrible jokes in the corner while my mom rearranged the food for the tenth time. For a moment, everything felt right.
Then the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it!” I called, expecting my yoga buddy or another cousin.
I swung the door open—and my heart stopped.
There stood Lena.
Holding hands with Nathan.
Smiling.
Like this was normal.
My stomach dropped. The room spun. I couldn’t breathe.
Lena stepped forward, still gripping Nathan’s fingers. She was wearing a dress I’d never seen before—something expensive-looking. Nathan looked the same as always: perfectly styled hair, that smug half-smile, eyes locked on me like he knew how much this would hurt.
“Happy birthday, Rach,” Lena said, handing me a gift bag. Then, in a hushed voice, “I hope you understand.”
“Understand?!” My voice cracked. *”Understand that my *sister*—the one who held me while I cried over *him*—is now *dating* him? That the person I trusted most betrayed me?”*
Silence.
Every guest froze, staring. My mom rushed over, forcing a nervous smile.
“Look who’s here!” she chirped, like I hadn’t noticed the two traitors in my doorway.
“What. Are. You. Doing. Together?” I hissed.
Lena glanced at Nathan, then back at me. “We’ve been meaning to tell you. We didn’t want to upset you, but… Nathan and I have been together for three months.”
Three months.
Three months of her asking how I was coping. Three months of her pretending to care.
“It just happened,” Nathan added smoothly. “We didn’t plan it… but we’re in love. We want to get married.”
Married.
The word hit me like a punch to the gut. My sister and my ex-husband.
“Get out,” I growled. “Both of you. Get out of my house.”
“Rachel,” my dad said, stepping forward. “Let’s just talk about this—”
*”Talk about *what*? How my sister *stabbed me in the back*? How the man who *destroyed* me is now with the one person I trusted?”*
“They didn’t mean to hurt you, honey,” my mom said, patting my arm. “Maybe it’s time to… move on.”
I looked around. My family was acting like this was fine. Like I should just accept it.
*”If *this* is what family is,”* I snapped, grabbing my coat, “then I don’t want it.”
I was about to storm out of my own party when—
BAM.
The door flew open again.
Standing there was a silver-haired man in an expensive suit—Nathan’s boss, Mr. Hargrave. Beside him, his much younger wife, Lillian, her belly slightly rounded under her designer dress.
Mr. Hargrave’s eyes locked onto Nathan like a predator spotting prey.
“YOU.” His voice was ice. *”How *dare* you seduce my wife?”*
The room exploded in gasps. Nathan went pale.
“Sir, I don’t know what you’re—”
*”Don’t *lie* to me,”* Mr. Hargrave snarled. *”I know *everything. This child?” He pointed at Lillian’s stomach. *”It’s *yours*. And I’ve traced every *cent* you stole from my company.”*
My mom shrieked. Someone dropped a glass.
Nathan looked like he was about to pass out.
“Prepare for a lawsuit—and unemployment.”
Nathan’s face drained of color.
Lena whirled on him, horrified. *”Oh my God… it’s *true*? How could you do this to *me?”
Nathan didn’t even look at her. His eyes were glued to Mr. Hargrave as the older man turned to leave, Lillian scurrying after him in tears.
“WAIT!” Nathan lunged forward—but Lena grabbed his arm.
“HOW LONG?!” she screamed, tears streaming.
Nathan shoved her off. *”Let *go*! Can’t you see my *paycheck* is walking out that door?!”*
And just like that, he bolted after them.
Lena turned to me, eyes wild. *”Please… I didn’t *know,” she begged.
I stared at her—my sister, my hero, the one who saved me. Now she was the one drowning.
*”You *should* have known,”* I said coldly. *”You *knew* what he did to me. You knew he was a liar. Sorry, Lena, but you walked into this with your eyes wide open.”*
I turned to the room. *”Actually, *all* of you should’ve seen this coming. I don’t know if you don’t trust me or if you’re just stupid, but since you all love Nathan so much… you can leave with him. Get out.“*
This time, they listened.
Later, alone in my apartment, I sipped tea and smiled.
Karma had finally caught up to Nathan.
Worst. Birthday. Ever.
But at least I got closure.