The Sweetest Revenge For The Betrayer

Cleo stood at the door of her boyfriend's apartment with a wide smile. In her hands was a box of birthday cake decorated with a small candle, ready to be lit. She had already imagined the surprised expression on her boyfriend Evan's face when he saw the surprise.

Carefully, Cleo unlocked Evan's apartment door using the access code he had once given her.

The apartment was silent. The dim lighting in the living room made her think Evan might be asleep or unaware of her arrival.

It wasn't surprising for Cleo to assume Evan was asleep-it was already late at night. Even so, she was determined to surprise him.

Her steps were cheerful, almost soundless. But after just a few steps, she heard a faint sound coming from the bedroom. At first, she thought it was the television, but as the sound became clearer, Cleo's heart began to race.

"Ahh ... faster ...."

A woman's voice came through, soft and filled with moans, followed by the voice of a man Cleo knew all too well.

Evan.

Cleo froze in place. Her eyebrows furrowed, curiosity and unease rising in her chest. With hesitant steps, she moved closer to the bedroom door, which was slightly ajar.

She peeked through the crack. What she saw made Cleo's world crumble instantly. On the bed were Evan and her stepsister, Celine, completely naked.

Their bodies were pressed close together, sweat glistening on their skin under the glow of the bedroom light.

"So, when are you going to break up with that fool?" Celine's voice was sharp and clear, each word slapping Cleo with unbearable pain.

Cleo clasped a hand over her mouth, trying to stifle the gasp of disbelief. Her hands trembled, the cake box she held nearly slipping from her grasp.

"I'll end things with her soon. I'm tired of pretending to love her," Evan replied, his tone dismissive. "She's nothing compared to you. You're so much more exciting, especially in bed like this."

After finishing his sentence, Evan pulled Celine into his arms and kissed her passionately, as if unwilling to let even the smallest space exist between them.

Cleo couldn't hold back her tears any longer as she watched the scene unfold. Slowly, she turned and walked toward the door, leaving the apartment behind.

Once outside, tears streamed down her face. She had planned to give Evan a surprise, but instead, she was surprised. Her heart ached as if it had been ripped to shreds.

Inside her, a fiery anger began to build. She vowed to make them pay for what they'd done in a way that would be far more painful.

She could have stormed into the bedroom and confronted them right then, but she wanted to deliver a punishment so cruel they'd never forget it.

With determined steps, Cleo walked out of the apartment, ignoring the tears still streaming down her face.

Once outside, she paused to collect herself, then promptly threw the birthday cake in her hands into a nearby trash can.

Taking a deep breath, Cleo reached into her bag and pulled out her phone. She had decided to tell her stepsister's fiancé, Sean, about what she had just witnessed.

Quickly, she typed out a message.

[Sean, I need to talk to you. There's something very important you need to know.]

She hit send, and within seconds, a reply appeared.

[What's wrong, Cleo? We can meet now. I'm not busy.]

Cleo stared at her phone screen for a moment before replying briefly.

[I'll be waiting for you at the cafe nearby. Come quickly.]

Once the message was sent, Cleo headed toward the cafe where they would meet. Each step felt heavy, but she knew this was the first move in her revenge. She wouldn't let them get away with what they had done.

"How long have they been cheating?" she whispered. "I'll make you both suffer. Just wait."

With her determination growing stronger, Cleo continued walking, letting her anger fuel the revenge she had carefully begun to plan.

When she arrived at the cafe, only one thought crossed her mind: they had to feel pain far greater than what they had inflicted on her.

While waiting for Sean to arrive, Cleo ordered a cup of coffee. The warm steam rising from the cup in front of her should have been calming, but her mind remained in turmoil.

Evan and her stepsister Celine's betrayal replayed in her head like a broken record that wouldn't stop.

Cleo stared into the dark liquid in her cup, desperately trying to find a sense of peace that felt impossible to grasp. Unintentionally, her mind drifted to the past-to the days when Evan was her everything.

The memories came flooding back.

"Cleo, you know I can't live without you, right?" Evan had said, holding her hand tightly.

At the time, they were sitting in a small park near Evan's apartment, laughing and talking about the future. Evan had promised to always be there, vowing to be the one who would make her happy.

The memory was so sweet, like honey that had now turned to poison. Cleo smiled bitterly as she recalled how she had once believed every word Evan said without the slightest doubt.

But those sweet memories were quickly buried beneath the bitter reality she had just witnessed-Evan and Celine, in that room.

A betrayal she could never have imagined was now painfully real before her eyes. Suddenly, the ache in her heart transformed into anger, slowly taking over her.

Without realizing it, Cleo gripped the coffee cup in front of her tightly. Her fingers clenched around the porcelain, her breaths growing heavier.

"The cup will break if you hold it too tightly."

The voice startled her out of her thoughts.

Cleo was startled and immediately turned her head. Sean standing beside her with a smile, his gaze full of curiosity.

"Sean," Cleo murmured, her voice trembling slightly.

Sean pulled out a chair and sat across from her. He studied her for a moment before speaking.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

Cleo let out a long sigh, trying to control her emotions.

With a trembling voice, she began recounting the event she had witnessed-the surprise she had planned for Evan's birthday that instead turned into a bitter shock.

"Just imagine, I was standing in front of that bedroom door with a cake, but ... they ...." Cleo bit her lower lip, trying to hold back her tears. Her right hand clenched tightly on the table. "I saw them ... together, without clothes."

Her eyes started to well up, but she refused to let her tears fall again. Throughout the story, Sean remained silent, his face calm, his expression unreadable.

Once she finished telling the story, Cleo lifted her head and looked at Sean. However, the response she received left her confused.

"Why is your reaction so calm?" Cleo asked, her voice full of confusion. Her gaze searched for an answer behind Sean's eyes.

The man in front of her simply shrugged, as if it was no big deal.

"Because I already knew," he replied casually as if the betrayal was just old news.

Cleo was stunned, her body frozen for a few seconds before her emotions erupted.

"What?" Cleo slammed her hand on the table, making several other customers glance in her direction. "You already knew? Why didn't you tell me?"

Sean remained calm, as if unfazed. "There was no point in telling you back then. I thought you should find out on your own."

"No point?" Cleo glared at him, her eyes now filled with tears and rage. "If I had known sooner, maybe I wouldn't feel this broken, Sean."

Cleo covered her face with both hands. Her sobs finally broke free, though she did her best to stifle the sound so no one would hear.

Her body trembled softly, reflecting the deep hurt inside.

Sean looked at her with an expression full of regret. For the first time, his calm demeanor wavered.

He let out a long sigh, then stood up from his chair. With slow steps, Sean moved to sit next to Cleo.

Without saying much, Sean extended his hand and gently stroked Cleo's head.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, his voice sincere. "I should have told you too."

But Cleo didn't respond. She remained silent, hiding behind her hands.

After a few seconds of silence, Sean finally spoke again. His voice was low but filled with determination.

"What if we team up to get revenge on them?"

His words broke the silence. Cleo suddenly stopped crying. She slowly lowered her hands and looked at Sean, her eyes still red and wet.

"Are you serious?" she asked in a hoarse voice as if seeking reassurance.

Sean nodded, his gaze sharp yet gentle. "Very serious. They've betrayed us. It's time they feel the consequences."

Cleo paused for a moment, then without hesitation, wiped the tears from her cheeks. With a look in her eyes now full of determination, she nodded.

"Let's do it!" she said firmly, her voice filled with new energy.

Sean gave a small smile and patted her shoulder. "Good. We'll make sure they never forget this."

"But ... what should we do first?" Cleo asked, confused.

Sean looked at her for a moment before leaning in and whispering his plan, while Cleo listened carefully.

"What do you think?" Sean asked after finishing his explanation, his expression waiting for approval.

"That's ... amazing!" Cleo's eyes shone with burning enthusiasm. "When do we start?"

Sean gave a slight smile as if enjoying the enthusiasm of the girl beside him.

"Next week. For now, all we need to do is stay quiet and wait."

Cleo couldn't hide her disappointment. She had imagined the plan starting immediately.

Sean, quick to notice the change in her expression, spoke up, "Cleo, I know you're impatient, but this plan is too big to rush. We need time to make sure everything is perfect."

His voice was gentle yet firm, trying to calm her down.

Cleo sighed, trying to suppress the turmoil in her heart.

"Alright, I understand," she replied, though her tone still hinted at a bit of disappointment. "But if there's anything we can do before next week, you have to tell me."

Sean nodded. "Of course. We'll move together, Cleo."

After talking for quite some time at the cafe, Cleo and Sean finally decided to head home. The evening grew late, and the air turned colder.

Sean insisted on driving Cleo home. Though she initially refused, Cleo eventually gave in when she saw the concern on Sean's face.

Sean drove her in his car. Throughout the journey, they continued discussing their revenge plan. The conversation flowed so smoothly that before they knew it, they had arrived at Cleo's house.

"Thank you, Sean. I really can't wait to carry out our plan," Cleo said as they reached her house.

Sean smiled warmly. "Of course, Cleo. Now go inside. Remember, don't let anyone make you feel weak. You have to be a strong girl."

Cleo nodded slowly, her smile widening. "I'll remember. Be careful on the road."

After Sean left, Cleo entered the house with light steps. But, her happiness immediately faded when she saw the figure standing in the living room.

"Where have you been?" The cold, sharp voice greeted her. The woman was Meghan, her stepmother, who had always been a thorn in Cleo's life.

"Have you been busy selling yourself to rich men out there?" Meghan spat the words out mockingly, her eyes filled with contempt.

Cleo clenched her fists, trying to hold back her emotions.

"That's none of your business!" she replied firmly.

Meghan let out a cynical laugh. "Who do you think you are? You're just a burden to this family!"

"At least I don't destroy other people's families," Cleo retorted, glaring at her stepmother.

Meghan flinched, her eyes widening with rage. "How dare you speak like that!"

Before Cleo could respond, a deep voice suddenly cut through their argument.

"What's going on here?"

Cleo's father, David, stood in the doorway with a serious expression, his gaze shifting between Cleo and Meghan.

Before Cleo could explain, Meghan quickly hurried over to David, her face painted with an expression of sorrow.

"Ah, here we go again," Cleo muttered under her breath, folding her arms across her chest.

Meghan immediately clung to David's arm, her voice trembling with feigned distress. "Honey, Cleo came home late again. I asked her about it, but she started yelling at me and calling me names."

Cleo exhaled sharply, her eyes rolling in frustration, while David's sharp gaze zeroed in on her.

"Cleo, this isn't the first time you've caused trouble. Coming home late without a word and then being rude to your mother? What's wrong with you?" His tone was firm and accusatory.

Cleo tried to defend herself. "Dad, that's not true. She-"

"Cleo, stop making excuses," David interrupted without hesitation. "You're an adult now. As the heir to this company, you should act more responsibly."

Amid the scolding, Cleo caught the sly smirk on Meghan's face, as if she were savoring the sight of Cleo being reprimanded.

A mix of anger and disappointment churned inside Cleo. She clenched her fists, turned on her heel, and stormed off to her room, slamming the door shut behind her without a word.

"Why does Dad trust that woman more than me?"

Cleo threw herself onto her bed, her breath heavy as she struggled to contain the fury and hurt that she couldn't release.

Her mind drifted back to the past, to the moment everything began to change. Since her father married Meghan, this house had felt more like a prison than a home.

At first, Cleo tried to accept it. She thought her father deserved happiness after years of living alone following her mother's death. But that happiness came at her expense.

Ever since Meghan entered their lives, her father's behavior had shifted drastically. The warm, attentive father who had once prioritized Cleo had become cold and indifferent.

Meghan, with all her pretense, always managed to win David's attention, while Cleo found herself at the receiving end of blame for things that weren't even her fault.

Celine, Meghan's daughter from a previous marriage, only made things worse. With her innocent smile, Celine always succeeded in getting their father to side with her, no matter what the truth was. Cleo could see clearly that Celine had inherited Meghan's manipulative nature.

Thinking about it, Cleo resolved to drive those two out of the house.

"I have to find a way to make Dad see who Meghan is. I don't care how long it takes, but I will get rid of them from this house."

She clenched her fists tightly as if holding onto the determination she had just built. Her mind began exploring possibilities, but every scenario seemed challenging.

Meghan was too cunning, and her father was too blind to see the truth. But Cleo knew she couldn't just stand by and do nothing.

"I just need time. I'll make things go back to the way they were," she told herself, though doubt still lingered in her heart.

She knew the journey wouldn't be easy, but at least she had a clear goal: to seek revenge and drive those two pests out of this house.

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Cleo closed her eyes.

***

The next morning, Cleo woke up with her mind brimming with plans.

As the sole heir to Blackwood Enterprise, Cleo knew she had to work harder than anyone else.

It wasn't just about preserving her family's legacy but also proving she could rise above those determined to bring her down.

After putting on a sleek black blazer, Cleo headed downstairs without sparing a glance at Meghan or Celine, who was pretending to be warm and friendly at the breakfast table. She simply grabbed a coffee and left for the office.

The moment she arrived at work, the bustling, energetic atmosphere immediately sharpened her focus.

Seated behind her desk, Cleo balanced her priorities: managing the company and keeping tabs on Evan and Celine.

She instructed Lucy, her trusted assistant, to help execute her plan.

Lucy wasn't just an ordinary assistant; she was Cleo's confidante, someone she could count on no matter what.

"Lucy, I need you to keep a close eye on Evan and Celine. If anything suspicious comes up, make sure you have evidence. Take pictures if necessary," Cleo said firmly.

Lucy nodded in understanding. "Of course, Ms. Cleo. I'll make sure nothing gets overlooked."

A few minutes later, Lucy returned with a folder that seemed suspicious.

"Ms. Blackwood, I found discrepancies in the financial reports from the marketing division," she said, handing over a dark blue folder.

Cleo opened the document and carefully reviewed its contents. Several listed expenses didn't match the ongoing projects and even appeared fabricated.

"This is too precise to be a mistake. Who approved this report?" Cleo asked sharply, her gaze piercing.

"Based on the signature, it was approved by Meghan," Lucy replied.

Cleo took a deep breath, holding back the emotions that were beginning to flare. She knew Meghan and Celine's games extended beyond the household and into the company as well.

Without solid evidence, confronting them directly would only backfire.

"Audit every transaction listed here thoroughly. Make sure every figure is accounted for," Cleo ordered. Lucy quickly jotted down the instructions.

Amid the chaos, Cleo worked to maintain her composure. She knew this small step was the beginning of unraveling Meghan and Celine's schemes.

Her strategy was clear: build alliances with loyal board members, fix the company's financial systems, and create an image of herself as a strong leader.

However, beyond all that, Cleo knew that this plan would require time and composure. There could be no mistakes.

"This war is about to begin," Cleo muttered, her eyes filled with determination to uncover the truth.

As Cleo closed the document in her hands, the sharp ring of the desk phone broke the silence in the room.

She glanced briefly at her phone screen. The name displayed made her jaw tighten.

Cleo chose to ignore it, letting the ringing die down on its own.