THE BILLIONAIRE CONTRACT OF REVENGE

The music felt louder as I climbed the small stairs toward the VIP section. Or maybe it was just the sound of my own heartbeat banging in my ears. Jenny stayed right behind me, silent for once, but I could feel her anger like heat on my back. Cole didn’t notice me at first. He was too busy smiling into that girl’s face, whispering something in her ear while she giggled and touched his chest like she owned him. My chest tightened. I cleared my throat,nothing. I stepped closer,still nothing. Finally, I said, “Cole” He paused. His shoulders stiffened. Slowly, he looked up—his eyes widening just a little when he saw me standing there. “Ella?” he said, like my name was something bitter on his tongue. “What… what are you doing here?” I stared at him. “Are you seriously asking me that?” The girl on his lap rolled her eyes. “Do you know her?” He didn’t answer immediately. He just rubbed his forehead like I was stressing him. “Cole…” My voice cracked. “Who is she?” He avoided my eyes. The lie was right there on the tip of his tongue. And that hurt more than anything else. People started turning their heads. The music didn’t stop, but suddenly the whole room felt quieter, like everyone was listening. The girl beside him smirked, shifting proudly on his lap. “I’m his girlfriend, Who are you?” My heart dropped to my stomach. “What?” I whispered. Cole stood up immediately, separating us like I was embarrassing him. “Ella", stop making a scene,” he hissed under his breath. “I’m making a scene?” My voice broke as tears pushed into my eyes. “Cole, what is all this? You haven’t replied my messages in weeks You’ve been avoiding me. And now you’re here… with her?” “Lower your voice,” he snapped, glancing around nervously. “People are looking.” “Oh really?” Jenny shot back. “So she should be quiet while you act like trash?” He ignored her and grabbed my wrist gently but firmly. “Ella, please, don’t embarrass me. I can't afford to be seen with you Please.” My tears slipped out. So that was it,His Status,Not me. “Cole… I loved you,” I whispered. “You said I was different. You said—” “Oh please,” the girl scoffed. “Different? You look like his maid. Even my maid dresses better.” I swallowed the pain. “Cole… is this true? Is she your girlfriend?” He inhaled deeply, tired and irritated. Then he snapped. “Yes, Ella, Yes, I’m done pretending,I’m done with you, You’re… you’re just—” he gestured at me, disgust in his eyes— “this.” The crowd gasped. I felt the insult like a slap. Jenny gripped my arm to steady me, but I could barely feel her. He wasn’t finished. “You dress like someone bought your clothes from the orphanage,” he said loudly. “You think you’re a designer? A small designer with nothing going for her?” My lips trembled. “What about the sketches I gave you? Give them back, you said they were not good. You said—” He laughed “Those sketches? Please. Those things are about to make me millions. They’re not yours anymore.” My jaw dropped. “They’re my designs,you promised—” “Well, I changed my mind.” He shrugged. “Should’ve trademarked them if you were smart.” The room exploded in whispers and phones recording. He stepped closer, voice low and cruel. “And by the way,” he added, “you weren’t even that good in bed. So stop acting like you were something special.” The pain shot through my chest so violently I felt dizzy. Jenny saw red. She moved before I could stop her. “You i***t!” she shouted, rushing at him. But the girl jumped up and blocked her, then grabbed a drink from the table and threw it straight in my face. Cold liquid splashed all over me. The entire club screamed. Jenny froze for two seconds. Then her hand flew. SLAP. The sound cracked like thunder. People gasped. Phones went higher. Security began moving. “Jenny!” I choked, wiping my face. “Jenny, stop, your job—” But she wasn’t listening. She was panting, furious, ready to tear someone apart. Cole shouted, “Security! Throw both of them out!” Two guards rushed forward. One grabbed Jenny, the other reached for me. “Don’t touch her!” Jenny shouted, struggling. But they dragged us anyway—one holding each of us by the arms, dragging us down the stairs like criminals while the entire club recorded. My heartbreak was now a public spectacle. Far above us, in the quiet VVIP room hidden behind golden-tinted glass… Ethan stood with a drink in his hands He smirked "perfect" Outside, the cold air slapped me harder than anything. I hugged myself, shaking, tears refusing to stop. Jenny put her arm around me. “I’m so sorry,Ella. I’m so, so sorry…” But all I could see was Cole’s face. All I could hear was his voice. All I could feel was the pain.