Behind the Billionaire's Mask

　　Sophie's POV

　　"What did you just say?" I asked, unable to believe what I had just heard.

　　"My apologies, Sophie," my manager replied, his expression sympathetic. "The company is facing a serious financial crisis, and we've been forced to make some tough decisions. Unfortunately, that includes letting go of our part-time staff."

　　I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. "You're firing me?" I clarified, trying to process the news.

　　He nodded. "I'm afraid so. Your last paycheck will be mailed to you within the next two weeks."

　　Stunned, I gathered my belongings and left the office, wondering how I would break the news to Mom with her health.

　　As I walked out into the crisp afternoon air, I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.

　　Just then, my phone buzzed with a text from Isabella, my best friend:

　　"When are you getting off work? Let's meet and celebrate your birthday. Don't tell me you are planning on celebrating it with that jerk."

　　I stared blanking at the text. Birthday? I had completely forgotten. Today was my birthday. "Wow, I was fired on my birthday." I muttered, fighting the tears.

　　I decided against replying and decided to head to my boyfriend's house.

　　I brought out a small mirror from my bag and looked at my reflection. 'Perfect,' I said. I must not look like my problem.

　　I hailed a taxi. As i sat in the taxi, memories of Dad flooded my mind. He had left for work on a typical day last year, never to return. The news of his death had been devastating.

　　I remembered the police knocking on our door. Their sombre faces a harbinger of tragedy. The unrecognizable body in the mortuary, Mom's tears, and my own world crumbling.

　　Now, with this job loss, I felt lost again. How would I provide for Mom? Mom's health had been declining since Dad's passing, but she refused to go to the hospital.

　　I had gotten to my destination already, and I paid the taxi man his money and stepped out of the car.

　　I walked into the building, where Alex stayed. I had been the one always covering Alex's rent since he was unemployed. I had paid for the year, but it would expire soon.

　　I entered the apartment, expecting comfort and solace from my boyfriend. Instead, I was met with moans echoing from the bedroom. My legs froze right there, but I managed to walk in, my mind racing.

　　As I pushed open the bedroom door, my worst fears were confirmed. Alex was in

　　bed with another woman, the woman on top

　　"Alex!" I exclaimed, shock and betrayal etched on my face. They both look towards me, and they both froze, and I was more shocked, an older woman!

　　Alex makes a quick move, pushing the woman away, but he suddenly turned back when he heard her scream while touching her stomach.

　　"Are you okay?" he asked, looking at her stomach. She nodded, pouting her mouth,

　　and he quickly reached for his trousers on the floor and began fitting into them.

　　But I had already dashed out of his house with tears dripping off my cheeks.

　　"Sophie, wait," he called, chasing after me, but I ignored and kept walking, increasing my pace. My phone suddenly rang, but i didn't even check who the caller was and just switched off my phone.

　　Alex soon caught up with me. His hand gripped my left hand.

　　"Wait, please..." he said, but I caught him short with a slap on his cheek with my other right hand.

　　"How dare you?" I asked as more tears streamed down my cheeks.

　　"Sophie, I can explain..." he began.

　　"Explain what?" I spat, anger boiling over. "How you're cheating on me? On my birthday?"

　　Alex's eyes pleaded for understanding, but I was unforgiving.

　　"Sophie, I..." he began, but I cut him off.

　　"Don't even try. You're disgusting. And with an older woman? Who is she?"

　　Alex's grip on my hand tightened.

　　"Please, Sophie. Just listen."

　　I jerked my hand free.

　　"No. I've heard enough. You've been lying to me, using me for my money."

　　The truth stung. I had supported him financially, and this was how he repaid me?

　　"Is she pregnant?" I demanded, my voice rising.

　　Alex's hesitation confirmed my worst fears.

　　"Is she?" I screamed.

　　He nodded, looking guilty.

　　I slapped him again, tears blinding me.

　　"You're disgusting. I never want to see you again."

　　"You are, too!" He suddenly said, making me shocked.

　　"What!" I exclaimed, still shocked.

　　"Yes, Sophie...Are you the first woman to support a man? We've been dating for three years now, but I have never enjoyed any sex moments with you, you don't satisfy me!'

　　"Alex..." I called in a shaky voice. My heart drenched, even more as his words hit me.

　　"And what are you doing here? Are you not supposed to be at work?"

　　"I was sacked." I said, wiping the tears which is falling uncontrollably.

　　"See...you were even sacked." He said, laughing.

　　"Is this really my Alex, my Alex who told me my tears were his weakness". I thought.

　　"And which money are you bragging about, from the little you give me? And you are even poor now. Do you know how much that woman gives me? She owns a big restaurant. We are moving into our own house soon. I have been thinking of how to break up with you, but i think I don't need to anymore..." Alex was cut short by the old woman.

　　"Honey..." The woman called rubbing her stomach. "Are you not done?"

　　"I am done, baby." He said, giving her a

　　charming smile. "I think you need to go now." He turned to me and said.

　　I turned and ran, feeling embarrassed.

　　I soon stopped running and just kept walking, my phone remained silent, still switched off. I didn't want to talk to anyone.

　　Eventually, I found myself at a park, sitting on a bench, crying uncontrollably.

　　How could Alex do this to me? How didn't I suspect anything?

　　As the sun began to set, I realized I had to face reality.

　　I was jobless, heartbroken, and alone.

　　I switched on my phone and checked the time. 4:45 pm. I saw countless missed calls from Isabella. I guess she would have been worried since I didn't reply to her text.

　　I dialed Isabella's number, and she picked at the first ring.

　　"Hey, Sophie! Oh my God, I've been trying to reach you. Where have you been?" Isabella's voice was laced with concern.

　　"I'm so sorry, Izzy. I had a rough day. Got fired and... and Alex cheated on me."

　　Isabella gasped.

　　"Oh no, Sophie! I always know that man is a jerk, I'm so sorry. But listen, I have some bad news too."

　　My heart sank.

　　"What is it?"

　　"It's your mom. She fainted and was rushed to the hospital."

　　My world crumbled.

　　"What? Which hospital?" I demanded, already standing up.

　　"St. Michael's, I heard she...."

　　I didn't hear the rest. I was already running out of the park, my heart racing. Why is everything bad happening to me today? Why today? Why? I kept asking in my mind as I hailed a taxi.

　　Behind the billonaire's mask!