Forbidden Desires

His Birthday

It's been a month since my forbidden relationship with my stepdad started. Sometimes, I look at myself in the mirror and remember how much I am betraying the woman who gave birth to me, and on the other hand, I remember Robert, the only man who was always there for me, and now my partner in crime.

However, it was his birthday too, and we were throwing a pool party. Everyone would be present there today, just like my 20th birthday.

But I don't know why I have been feeling uneasy since morning. Today is my stepdad's birthday, the man who owns my world, the man who treated me like an egg.

I felt like something big or unexpected was going to happen today. I checked the time it's 11 a.m, and Robert has still not returned yet. He went out early this morning, which has never happened before.

He has never gone anywhere on his birthday ever since he married my mom. But why this time? Is he hiding things from me? What could be important that makes him go out early in the morning? If I am not mistaken, he has been out since 5 a.m.

The doorbell snapped away my thought, I ran quickly to open the door. When I opened, no one was there except for a flower banquet, with no name on it. I thought it inside, I know it's for him because it is his birthday.

Suddenly, something caught my attention — there was a small note beside the flower, I placed it on the table and took the paper out.

Note: How long are you going to hide your f*****g secrets? Ooh you might be wondering who I am, but don't worry sweetheart we'll meet today at the party.

Tension arose in my body, sweat flowing my body like I was poured a bucket of water. I don't think this was for Robert. No! It can be, I think it's for me. I think someone knew about our secret.

“Oh God,” I murmured. My hands shook so much that the paper almost fell to the floor. The word sweetheart felt like a threat. Whoever wrote this was coming to the party to destroy my life. If my mom found out about Robert and me, everything would be over, her hatred for me would be multiple. She would tell the world about us.

Everyone would hate me. No! I should have thought about this before I seduced him, before I made him mine.

By 5 p.m., the backyard was full of high-society guests. The pool water looked beautiful, music was playing, and people were laughing. To everyone present here, it was a perfect celebration for a successful man; it felt like a trap to me.

It felt like my world was about to collapse. I now look like a beast, a w***e, trying to ruin her mother's happiness and home. I am now finally sure that I am the little witch and unlucky girl she called when I was 6 years old.

Robert finally came back. He gave me a quick excuse about urgent business, but he looked stressed, yes, he really was. I have been living with him for 14 years, and I know exactly when everything is okay and when it isn't. Well, we'll sort that out later. We need to find a solution to this mystery person first.

I tried to show him the note in private, but guests kept pulling him away for birthday toasts. He was acting normal to everyone else, but he kept his distance from me to avoid suspicion. He had no idea about the danger we were in. He had no idea that someone was about to leak my little dirty secret.

I walked through the crowd, looking closely at every single face. I wanted to find out who sent the message.

Then, a woman walked through the side gate. She did not use the main entrance. She wore a tight black dress and had a sharp, confident smile. She looked completely out of place among the casual party guests.

My heart stopped. I recognized her from old photos Robert kept locked in his desk.

It was Helen—Robert’s ex-fiancée from years ago, before he married my mom. She was a powerful lawyer, and she was definitely not on the guest list. As she walked onto the terrace, her green eyes locked onto mine. She raised her glass and smirked. I think she is the one who knew our secret.

No, maybe I am overthinking things. She can't be the one. She's very far away from us. God! My head is going to burst.

“Who is this f*****g mystery person?” I murmured to myself.

The panic all over my body was too much to handle. I couldn't stay outside and pretend to smile anymore. I needed to escape. I need somewhere safe. I stumbled away from the music and walked into the quiet hallway of the house. I just wanted to lock myself in the bathroom and wash my face with cold water.

As I got close to Robert’s private study room, I heard low, angry voices. The door was not closed all the way. A small beam of light came out into the dark hallway. I froze.

“You shouldn't be here, Helen,” Robert hissed. His voice was rough and full of fear. I had never heard him sound like that before. "We settled this years ago. You took the money and signed the paperwork."

“Oh, Robert, please,” Helen laughed. Her voice was smooth and cruel. "Do you really think a few deleted computer logs would keep me quiet forever? Don't forget that I helped you build your network.”

I pressed my back flat against the wall, holding my breath so they wouldn't hear me.

“And what proof do you have?” Robert growled. “Helen, please, it's my f*****g birthday, at least let me enjoy this moment.”

"I don't need proof to ruin you, Robert," Helen whispered, her footsteps moving across the room. "I just need to walk outside to that pool and show your stepdaughter your real face. The real monster you are.”

A deep, terrifying silence filled the study, and Robert did not say a single word to deny it.