THE BILLIONAIRE'S BIRTHDAY GIFT

CHAPTER 1

MY BIRTHDAY GIFT

Sophia's POV

I slumped into the bed like a helpless orphan as soon as I placed Jaydon into his crib. Just one month into motherhood, but the stress was weighing me down like it's been two years of raising triplets. I was completely oblivious of the fact that I was still putting on sandals until I heard a dinge on my phone.

"Fuck! Can't someone rest for at least a minute?" I muttered angrily to myself as my peaceful sleep got disrupted by the call. Before my hand could reach the phone, the call had ended, and immediately, a message beep followed suit.

"Meet me at the Crescent Lounge, room 105, by 4:00 pm," the message read. It was from Frank.

I raised my eyes to the wall, and they met with the ticking clock, which was at the fourteenth hour already. Jaydon was sound asleep due to the high temperature he ran and excess cry he did since he was given the immunization.

Should I be happy or sad? Today is my twenty-fifth birthday, and the one person I was hoping to get a birthday wish from, expecting it to come along with unforgettable kisses, didn't even take a second look at my face before he left for work in the morning. Without hesitation, I called Frank's line to suggest an indoor celebration, due to Jaydon's health, but the phone rang till the end with no one picking up.

After trying relentlessly for five times, my faint smile faded, allowing my face to finally welcome a frown when I called for the sixth time and heard that the number was switched off.

"Well, I'm sure he's planning a surprise party for me," a convincing voice in me struck my thought, and I shrugged, dismissing every negative thought that was sprouting in my imagination.

I already knew that Frank can never forget my birthday! For the two years I've been with him, my birthday has always been an unforgettable day in our lives.

"Alice!" I screamed the nanny's name and gave her instructions on how to take care of Jaydon before I returned.

"Wow! You look really gorgeous, ma'am," the nanny complimented my dress with a smile, and I just imagined how Frank's eyes would be caught up at my seductive features once he sights me.

At exactly 3:50 pm, I was at the enormous building called the Crescent Lounge because I know how Frank hates it whenever someone is late to an appointment. I couldn't help myself from blushing at the first sight of the lounge, which one need not be told that only the elites can afford a meal in such a lounge, not to talk of a room. Well, that's one thing I love about Frank: he can spend even his last penny to put a smile on my face.

For more than fifteen minutes, I stood at the door and knocked without getting a response.

"What the hell is going on! Am I in the wrong room?" I muttered after a futile attempt to turn the doorknob of the silent room.

Drenched in disappointment after knocking for thirty minutes without getting any response, I turned to take my leave, but my steps were halted when I heard the loud sound of a door closing from inside, followed by the intensive laughter of two people.

At that moment, I knew I was in the wrong room, so I tried calling Frank to confirm the room number. Maybe he mistook a figure in the first message he sent to me, but his line was still switched off.

Taking a deep breath to relax my mind before leaving, my ears perked up when I heard the woman's scrupulous moans as the man slammed into her.

"Oh, I love that baby. Do it harder, Frank! Awww, I need it harder Frank!" The lady moaned.

"What? Did I just hear her mention Frank?" My brows creased as my heart sank. I waited to hear the man speak, but I never heard his voice.

If Frank didn't make a mistake in the room number, does it mean he's the one having that fun? But why would he invite me to the same hotel room that he's hosting another woman?

Several conflicting thoughts flooded my head, but I didn't allow the negative thoughts to ruin my happy mood. Besides, Frank is not an uncommon name, so there's every possibility that it's a different Frank in there. Nevertheless, I was a bit upset because that could have been me and my lovely husband, having the best of fun. I had made up my mind to give it to him in all styles on that large hotel sofa before we returned home, but I ended up being disappointed.

As soon as I returned home, I went straight to Frank's home office. I remember seeing an expensive jewelry box in his drawer when I was cleaning the room yesterday.

"What?" My brows furrowed when I couldn't find the jewelry box again.

"Isn't he supposed to give it to me on my birthday?" I thought to myself and slammed the door, feeling disappointed.

Just as I walked past the door, a knock on it vibrated the room. Frank is back.

I made sure to fake a little frown on my face before getting the door so that he'll know how mad I am at him, but my frown dissipated when I opened the door and saw how Frank's face was glowing with a smile, concealing the stress he must have passed through at the office.

"Happy birthday, Mrs. Lorenzo. I got this for you," he said, presenting me with the exact jewelry box I saw yesterday.

"Awwww, thanks, sweetheart. I know that you'll always be the best husband." I said as I blushed, running into his arms while my lips quickly located his for a sharp kiss, but Frank turned his face abruptly, avoiding the collision of our lips.

"Open your gifts, first," he said while staring directly into my eyes as he held his briefcase with one hand and the other in his pocket.

Joyfully, I opened the box gently, but my smile slowly got replaced with a deepening frown when I saw a neat envelope inside the box instead of the diamond jewelry.

"Frank, what is this?" I asked with an inquisitive look, my voice barely above a whisper.

Frank only nodded with his head, signalling me to open the envelope in my hands instead of asking questions. And as gentle as a scolded child, I unsealed the document with mixed feelings.

"What! Y–you're divorcing me, Frank Williams?" I stammered , screaming his full name for the first time in two years.

"Yeah, that's my birthday gift to you. Sign it and get out of my life," he said coldly as he peered at me without remorse.

At first, my breath ceased, and I felt my body turning stiff as if a bucket of cold water was poured on me.

"No, Frank! What have I done to deserve this, please? You can't do this to us!" I whimpered as the cold, salty liquid rolled down my cheeks.

"Us? There's no us, Sophia. Please, don't waste my time." He said coldly and pushed me to the floor as he made his way into the house.

CHAPTER 2

GOODBYE, SON

Sophia's POV

"Frank!" I screamed my husband's name, but my voice was barely above a whisper.

My body ached from the simple but painful fall.

With the little shred of strength in me, I managed to bundle myself up and followed after him to our bedroom.

"Frank, please, tell me where I've gone wrong, and I'll apologize. Please, divorce is never an option no matter the crime. Think about our vows, think about Jaydon, think..." I kept on mentioning things that he needed to consider, but Frank rather shut me up angrily.

"Ok, that's it. Stop right there, Sophia. Just stop!" he yelled.

"Thirty minutes is too much for you to spend in this house." He mentioned, his voice devoid of any emotions, as he took out all my clothes from the wardrobe and flung them on the floor.

"Frank, I'm sorry." I fell to the ground and cried, grabbing his knickers as he walked towards the door, but he kicked me off with his legs.

Frank and I loved each other so much that I never thought a day like this would come. Frank was my life. I know I can't survive without his love and support. When I saw him walk out on me, I lost all hope. I know that he can never be mine again.

My hand trembled as it held the divorce papers, which were just like a death sentence to me. Then, my eyes sighted the bottle of sniper, which we bought newly for the cockroaches and other ants in the house.

"What more do I have to live for?" I mumbled and approached the bottle. I just want to forget about everything!

"Stop, Ms. Sophia! How can you be so stupid because of a man? What about Jaydon? Isn't he enough reason for you to live and be happy again?" A loud voice from behind echoed, Just as I was about to gulp down the sniper.

I turned, and I found myself crying and wholly engulfed in Nanny Alice's arms.

"You need to be strong for Jaydon, my dear. He needs you more than any other thing." She whispered, and I saw every reason to work with her words.

With Nanny Alice's help, I gathered my things into the two boxes Frank got for me before our wedding and asked for her assistance in carrying the luggage while I carried my child from the crib.

"Here is it," I said and thrust the signed divorce papers into his hands while I held my baby in my arms.

"Huh, and what do you think you're doing?" Frank asked, his lips curling up into a smug smile as he dropped the glass of whiskey that he just finished gulping down.

I remained silent, since I was clueless about what he was insinuating.

"Are you trying to run away with my child?" He asked, raising his brows."Come on, Sophia. Why are you making this thing harder than it should be? Was it not your signature that's on the marriage certificate? Or, are you trying to tell me that you don't know the condition you signed for?" He said, sprouting more confusion in my head.

"What condition, Frank?" My heart raced as I asked, dreading his response.

"Take a look at the bottom right corner of the certificate you signed. Were you not aware that this marriage is to be dissolved once a child is birthed and is up to a month old?" He said as he presented the original of our certificate to me.

"What! Frank, you set me up!" I screamed when I saw that all he said was true.

Oh, I'm doomed!

"Are you surprised? I guess you were too overwhelmed to be lucky to get married to such a handsome man like me; that's why you foolishly signed without reading everything." He said, swirling his hands over his beard in mockery.

"No...no...no. This can't be! What did I just do to myself?" I questioned my conscience as I held my little son while uncontrollable tears streamed down my face.

"Hey, baby. What took you so.." I heard a familiar voice say as she marched into the living room. I was facing the door with my back, and with this heartbreak, I was not willing to make a turn.

"Oh my goodness! Sophia, what are you still doing here?" She asked, throwing a disdainful look at me before redirecting her gaze towards Frank.

"Honey, didn't you give her the papers on time? Or, is she arguing over our son?" The woman asked and moved forward to give Frank a peck.

"Claire!" I exclaimed in shock.

"Is this some sort of prank?" I asked, but only got a cold laughter from both parties as though I was saying rubbish. Claire was my best friend at the office before I met Frank.

She took me out for lunch on that fateful day that Nathan, my ex-boyfriend, broke my heart after six years of relationship. How I was able to capture Frank's heart at first sight with my gloomy face was something I still can't explain.

One thing led to the other; Frank and I exchanged contacts and began to hang out. Thank God for bringing him by my side; I was able to heal from my heartbreak.

"It's a good thing that you're not yet blind, Sophia. Frank and I had been married for three years before you even met him, and today is even our anniversary," Sophia said, without any iota of fear in her. It was at that moment that my eyes caught sight of her neck.

There, she was putting on the diamond jewellery that I foolishly thought was my gift from Frank.

"What?" My brows furrowed as I flinched. Wh...what is" I tried to talk, but my voice was lost, and I listened to Claire as she continued.

"Well, it was just so unfortunate that my womb got damaged after the first abortion I had for Frank, and Frank's parents are not willing to allow us to enjoy our marriage peacefully because they needed a grandchild. That's why I suggested that we get separated and plan for him to marry you. So, can I have my baby now?" Claire explained, sneering at me like some piece of trash and grabbed my baby from me.

I was speechless. My only voice was my stream of tears, which seemed to be meaningless to Frank and his mistress.

"So, was this why you invited me to the hotel, Frank?" I asked when I finally found my voice.

"Hotel?" He muttered with creased brows before Claire interrupted.

"Oh, that. I was the one who invited you. I thought of making you witness our reunion, but unfortunately, **" I saw the anger in Frank's look as he peered at her, but he tried to conceal it behind a faint smile.

"Oh, I love you, my precious angel," she said and kissed my little Jaydon.

I couldn't stand the heartbreak anymore; my body began to tremble. My vision began to turn blurry as I stared at Frank with a pool of tears. I know I had lost it, because the signature on the paper was truly mine.

"I swear, you will regret this when I come back to get my son. Mark my words!" I declared before I and Alice left for the gate where my ride was waiting for me.

"Ma'am, please, take it easy on yourself. Trust me, you should be thankful that you left the lion's den while you're still breathing." Nanny Alice whispered in a consoling tone.

"No, Alice. My marriage can never be compared to a lion's den. Frank loves me. It has always been a bed of roses!" I countered.

"Hmmm, I don't think you know what you're saying." She said and continued.

"Do you think that man ever loved you? I'm sure he doesn't, which was why he had your mother's two kidneys harvested with one transplanted to Claire and the other one sold to get money for her drugs."

"No, this can't be, Alice!" I screamed in disbelief.

My jaw dropped, and my head began to spin as if I was hit by a heavy iron. Then, all the pains my mother passed through before her death flooded my head.

"I swear, I will crush you two to death, so long as I live!" I muttered to myself bitterly.

"Ma'am, there's another thing you need to know,"

"Please, shut the hell up for once, Alice!" I yelled at the innocent woman, but that didn't stop her from talking.

"Frank and Claire are planning on relocating to the Philippines with your son in the next two days," she added.

CHAPTER 3

Sophia's POV

GETTING BACK TO LIVE

I felt a shard in my guts.

Where do I start from? I felt like going back into the mansion and devouring those two heartless idiots and take my son away, but I remembered that I was powerless.

After all, Jaydon is the only heir to the Williams family, and I'm sure that Frank would take good care of him because he's his blood. If at all I'll love to take revenge on those two; it should be carefully planned and well executed.

"Ma'am, where exactly are we heading to? You've not mentioned any address," the chauffeur asked, jolting me out of my thoughts.

"Just continue to move straight," I said before it finally dawn on me that I had no destination in mind.

"Ma'am, is everything okay? You've been shedding tears since you got into the car," the chauffeur observed, but I shut him up with an angry glare.

"Drop me here," I said when we approached one large building, which happened to be a hotel.

I nearly screamed when the receptionist mentioned the price of a night to me, which cost almost 50,000 dollars.

"Well, you have no other option, Sophia," I said to myself and staggered a few steps before I slumped on the big hotel bed. I tried to get some sleep, but the moment I closed my eyes, all the memories of my wasted two years with Frank flipped my head.

Tears of regret welled down my eyes. All this wouldn't have happened if I had listened to Christine, who never liked Frank even for a second since the day I introduced him as my boyfriend, and I began to feel guilty over my mother's death.

Just when I tried to welcome some sleep in the morning, my phone beeped with a message.

"Hope you had a great night, ma'am. Please, are you checking out, or would you love to extend your reservation?" It was a mail from the hotel.

"What!" My eyes widened when I saw that my account balance was below $20,000.

Immediately, I dashed out to the nearest bank to get some cash from our joint account.

"B–ut the account doesn't have up to this amount , Ms. Sophia," The bank teller told me. I remained quiet for a while, trying to process and understand her statement.

"Wait, what the hell is going on! Because this can't be happening!" I screamed when I saw that the balance left was just $9.99 instead of the millions of dollars that I know had been deposited into the account. My breath almost ceased.

Immediately, I took out my phone and called the only person that could have an explanation for this.

"Why are you calling me, Sophia? Did you forget.." Frank began to respond with a cold voice, but I shut him up immediately.

"What happened to the joint account, Frank?" I asked.

"Scoff." Frank scoffed before he finally spoke.

"I knew it! I know that you'll definitely go for that account; that's why I emptied it. Besides, why are you asking, Sophia? Were the funds not meant for Jaydon? So what do you expect me to feed Jaydon with, if I had left the money for you to access?" He said it coldly and hissed before ending the call. Not even waiting for a second to hear what next I'll say.

Hearing these words, my feet became rooted to the spot. My head spins, and I felt a sharp pain strike my heart like a lightning thunderstorm.

When I finally managed to lift up my leg, I returned to the hotel immediately and checked out before the clock would click past 12:00 noon.

"Where would I even go, from here?" I asked myself a question that I couldn't find the answer to it.

"Boom!" I heaved a heavy sigh of relief when I remembered one person, Mr. Mac Hutton!

Never! I can never allow myself to die in suffering while I still have a father who, with just one call, can order the arrest of every soul in New York City.

"Dad, please pick up!" I murmured as I dialed his number, but unfortunately, it was switched off. No matter the differences we had in the past, I have to let us settle because he's my only hope in this kind of situation.

As we drove towards the Hutton's mansion, my heart was deeply in connection to God as I prayed earnestly for the man to be home, hoping that he hadn't relocated to another of his numerous apartments.

About two decades ago, my dad got divorced from my mom when I was barely seven. Since then, my mother did everything in her power to keep me away from my dad based on reasons best known to her.

What she didn't know until her death was that my father and I reunited when I turned eighteen, and since then, we have been seeing each other occasionally behind her back.

The ride to the Hutton's mansion took only thirty minutes.

A wave of relief washed over me when I saw his car in the parking lot.

Gently like a snail, I approached the entrance door, but before I turned the door knob with my hands, the door creaked open from inside. My father was already dressed and about to step out.

"Sophia!" He exclaimed in shock, and before I knew it, his warm hands were wrapped around me already, while I was crying uncontrollably like a baby.

"Call Mr. Williams and reschedule the appointment for another date. I have to attend to something more important," my dad instructed his assistant, who was already waiting for him in the car.

The assistant 's brows furrowed in confusion. I'm sure he was wondering about my level of connection with his boss that could get him to take a drastic change in decision in the nick of time.

"Get her things to the room upstairs." He ordered one of the maids even before hearing anything from me.

"Alright, whatever might have brought you here, I know it hurts; that's why I allowed you to cry your heart out. So, tell me, what is the problem?" He asked after leading me to his personal living room upstairs.

"It's my husband, Frank. He gave me a divorce and confiscated my son. To top it all, I just discovered that he was the reason behind my mother's sudden death." I continued to sob as I explained.

"What!" He screamed and jolted up from the chair.

"You mean that bastard did all that to you? Did he even know whose daughter he's dealing with? I swear, I'll deal with him so much that he'll live the rest of his life regretting why he even crossed paths with you in the first place!" My dad ranted as he took out his phone from his pocket to place a call.

"I'm calling for his arrest, now! Just tell me how you'll want me to deal with him, and consider it done!"

"Dad, please, don't do that," I said with a pleading voice, and thank God, the old man heeded to my plea.

"Why are you stopping me, Sophia? Are you trying to tell me that you still love that man? He asked, shotting an angry glare at me.

"No, Dad. But this is my fight, so please let me deal with him the way I want to. Just do me one favor, Dad; promise me your support in everything I do." I requested calmly.

"Sure, you have my full support. In fact, from now on, I will make you the Ceo of Hutton's group. Just tell me if you need my help with anything." My dad said as he embraced me warmly into his arm, until the dinge on my phone interrupted.

When I checked the caller ID, I quickly picked up the call without hesitation. "Hello, Ben. Any news?" I asked.

"Yes, ma'am. Everything has been done just as you wanted. Right now, Claire is in custody. They found those drugs in her bag at the airport." The person on the other end of the phone reported.

Immediately, my gloomy face was washed with a smile.

"Good. Now, make sure you post it on the major blogs on social media with immediate effect." I told him.

"Sure, ma'am." He answered before I ended the call.

"What was the call for, Sophia? My dad asked with an inquisitive look.

"It's nothing, Dad. It's just a way to stop Frank and Claire from leaving the country before I'll strike properly with my revenge.