Game of Love and Deception: The Billionaire's Ex Wife
Chapter 42: Surprises

Chapter 42: Surprises

Flashback: The previous day

Lorenzo drove to his mother’s house, worry etched on his face. He had received a call that she was sick. He’d been in the gym when Genevieve called, and he hadn’t even bothered to shower before bolting for his car.

Upon reaching the compound, where flowers and trees were neatly planted around, he parked and frowned. The place was unusually quiet. Taking long strides toward the entrance, a sense of unease crept within him.

The moment he opened the front door, his heart nearly leaped out of his chest as a burst of confetti and streamers rained down on him, followed by a deafening chorus.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!"

Lorenzo stood frozen, stunned into silence. His body and face were covered in shiny confetti, and through the small opening of his eyes, he could make out grinning faces.

How did they manage to pull the same prank on him every year? And how did he always forget his own birthday, making it so easy for them? Perhaps it was because this day never felt like a celebration to him. It always reminded him of what he never had—the chance to meet his biological parents. He often wondered what they looked like, whether they had been happy on the day he was born. And most of all, if their deaths had been quick and painless.

Genevieve’s voice jolted him out of his thoughts as she ran up to him, brushing confetti off his face before pulling him fully inside. He barely had time to brace himself before a chorus of croaky voices started singing Happy Birthday.

"I’m taking my credit card—and everything of mine in your possession back after this," Lorenzo whispered in a low threat to his sister, whose voice was the loudest in the group.

Genevieve shot him a glare. "Try that, and I’ll flatten the tires of your Lamborghini, Ferrari—in fact, all your luxury cars—before lighting one of your penthouses on fire... with you inside."

Before he could retaliate, his mother swooped in.

"Happy birthday, son." Margaret kissed his cheek like he was three years old.

Carl clapped him on the back with a grin. "Smile, man. We did a lot to make this happen."

Lorenzo exhaled, shaking his head. "I can’t believe you’re part of this madness," he muttered under his breath as Carl pulled him in for a hug.

He endured another round of strangers—people he barely recognized—wishing him happy birthday, one after another. Some of the girls didn’t even bother hiding their shameless stares. He could only imagine how long it had taken Genevieve and his mother to plan this, inviting half the city just to make a spectacle out of him.

He was about to ask his mom when he spotted a familiar figure among the girls arranging food on the long table. Margaret, noticing his expression tighten, followed his gaze until it landed on Elara.

"What’s she doing here, Mom?"

"She’s your sister’s friend, and she came to assist. You know her?"

Lorenzo was stunned. He knew Genevieve had a way of attracting friends like sugar attracting ants—it was practically her superpower, working on both men and women. But Elara? Of all people? That was unexpected. Another reason to never get romantically involved with her –again.

Elara, sensing the weight of Lorenzo’s gaze, hesitated before forcing a sheepish smile his way. She’d been avoiding him since he arrived, keeping herself busy in the kitchen, knowing he wouldn’t be thrilled to see her. But now, there was nowhere to hide.

Lorenzo clenched his jaw as Elara dried her hands with a napkin and started toward him. Margaret, noticing the tension, whispered with a smirk, "Be nice," before slipping away.

Lorenzo muttered a curse, eyes darting around for Carl. He spotted him across the room, laughing and flirting with a group of girls. Perfect.

"Happy birthday," Elara said softly when she reached him.

Unsure how to respond, Lorenzo blurted out, "Same to you."

Elara let out a small laugh, shaking her head as she extended a neatly wrapped gift. Lorenzo hesitated before taking it, the simmering anger within him barely contained.

He thought about how many times he had told her to stay away from him. How many times she’d defied that.

The moment they were out of sight from the crowd, Lorenzo pushed her against the wall and slammed his palm against the surface just beside her head. The loud thud made Elara flinch.

"What did I say the last time?"

Elara’s heart pounded. "I-I’m sorry. I’m really sorry. Yoursisterinvitedme," she rushed out in a breath, the words forming into one. "...and I swear I didn’t come with any of those intentions."

Lorenzo exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through his hair in frustration.

"I—I understand that you don’t want me... and I’m slowly coming to terms with it," Elara whispered after catching her breath.

A thick silence settled between them.

"I don’t know when I’m going to be married off to one of those disgusting gold diggers... so..." She swallowed. "I was just wondering if we could at least be friends before my days of freedom come to an end."

She fiddled with her fingers, carefully picking her words.

Lorenzo turned to her, his gaze turning less hostile now, more conflicted. He couldn’t imagine his sister being forced into a marriage like that. If anyone tried, he wouldn’t hesitate to kill them.

But this wasn’t his family. He had no right to get involved. And yet, it didn’t ease his anger.

"Let’s go back to the party," he said, surprising even himself. "And thanks for the gift."

He glanced at the small wrapped box in his hand, briefly wondering what was inside before shoving it into his pocket.

The party stretched on for a few more hours before guests began trickling out, leaving only Genevieve, her boyfriend Javier, Margaret, Carl, Elara, and, of course, a glowering Lorenzo.

He had tried to sneak away multiple times, but his mother was having none of it. She still had something planned.

Margaret stood up, smoothing her dress. "Time for dessert, kids."

"Mom, no need to stress yourself. Let me get it," Genevieve offered, already rising.

Margaret waved her off. "Don’t want Javier getting bored," she teased, shooting the young blonde a mischievous smirk.

Laughter erupted around the table, except for Lorenzo. He was too busy resisting the urge to slap Javier’s hand off Genevieve’s lap.

Carl, who had been quietly watching his dagger-sharp glare, leaned toward him and whispered, "You do realize you’re not her future husband, right?"

Only, he hadn’t whispered low enough. Everyone heard him.

A tense silence filled the air before Javier—finally realizing what was happening—casually moved his hand away. He was still too young to land himself on the devil’s blacklist.

Genevieve and Elara exchanged a glance before bursting into laughter. But their amusement was short-lived as a loud thud echoed from the kitchen.

Their laughter died instantly.

Without hesitation, everyone bolted toward the sound.

"Mom!" Genevieve and Lorenzo called at the same time, panic lacing their voices.

Margaret lay unconscious on the floor.

Lorenzo dropped to his knees, shaking her gently. "Mom, are you okay?" No response.

His heartbeat slammed against his ribs. Without wasting another second, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to her bedroom, carefully laying her on the bed.

"Call the doctor!" he ordered.

Carl was already ahead of him, dialing. Meanwhile, Javier and Elara worked to calm a sobbing Genevieve.

The doctor arrived promptly. After reviving Margaret, he gave a relieved sigh. "She just needs rest."

Then, shifting his attention to Lorenzo, he said, "I need to speak with you."

"Can you explain what happened to her? She was totally fine before going to the kitchen to get some dessert," Lorenzo asked once they were alone, his face tight with worry.

The doctor sighed. "It happens. She probably pushed herself too much. And with her high BP, she must have been thinking a lot lately."

Lorenzo’s brows furrowed. "Thinking about what?" The question slipped out before he even realized he was asking something meant for his mom.

The doctor gave him a clueless stare. "I think it’s best you ask her, Mr. Grey."

After the doctor left, Lorenzo returned to his mom’s room. Genevieve was already there, sitting on the edge of the large bed.

She stood and hugged Lorenzo the moment he entered, her eyes glistening. "I was so scared," she whispered.

Lorenzo gently wiped her tears before pressing a quick kiss to her forehead. "She’s going to be fine, Genie. The doctor said she just needs rest."

Margaret already awake, peeked at them before speaking. "Please, you two, stop acting like I died," she muttered weakly, her voice tinged with sarcasm.

Genevieve let out a relieved laugh before going to hugging her tightly. "Mom!"

Lorenzo lowered himself onto the bed beside Genevieve. "You scared us."

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for your birthday to end like this," Margaret said.

Genevieve, sensing Javier’s presence at the door, excused herself to inform the others that her mom was awake, letting them know they could relax.

Lorenzo took advantage of Genevieve’s absence to ask the question gnawing at him. "Mom, what were you thinking about to the point that you fainted?"

Margaret looked away for a brief moment, as if hesitating. Lorenzo caught the flicker of emotion in her eyes, and it only deepened his concern.

"Talk to me, Mom. Is something bothering you?" He took her hand in his, squeezing gently.

When she remained silent, he pressed on. "Mom?"

"I just want to see you happy," she blurted out, her voice soft.

Lorenzo’s expression twisted in confusion. "I don’t remember saying I was sad."

Margaret sighed. "Fine. I just want you to think about marriage. With you and Genevieve always busy with work, you know... it wouldn’t be bad to have some grandkids to play with."

Lorenzo stared at her like she had grown a third head. "Mom, please don’t tell me that’s what you’ve been stressing over—to the point of raising your BP." His tone held a mix of frustration and disbelief.

Margaret gave him a pair of wide, innocent eyes. Lorenzo narrowed his own.

A thought suddenly crossed his mind, and suspicion flickered in his gaze. "You really fainted... right?"

Margaret blinked, looking away too quickly.

Lorenzo exhaled sharply. Knowing how dramatic his mom could get, he wouldn’t put it past her to have staged the whole thing just to make a point.

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