Hell Hath no fury like a billionaire's Ex-Chapter 107: The Best Birthday Ever

Diane’s POV

I woke up to the sound of soft knocking on my room door, followed by Joan’s familiar voice singing "Happy Birthday" in her slightly off-key but enthusiastic way. My heart swelled as I heard my mother’s voice joining in, creating a beautiful harmony that filled the quiet morning air.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Diane, happy birthday to you!"

I couldn’t help but smile as I sat up in bed, one hand instinctively moving to my rounded belly where the twins were already stirring, as if they too could sense the special energy of the day.

"Come in," I called softly, and Joan practically bounced through the door with my mother close behind, both wearing bright smiles and carrying steaming cups of what smelled like my favorite herbal tea.

"Happy birthday, sweetheart," my mother said, settling carefully on the edge of my bed and pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. The simple gesture brought tears to my eyes—how long had it been since I’d felt this kind of uncomplicated love and celebration?

"Thank you both," I whispered, accepting the warm cup Joan handed me. "This is already the perfect start to my day."

My phone rang just as I took my first sip, and Dad’s name appeared on the screen. Despite everything we’d been through, seeing his contact information made my heart flutter with excitement.

"Happy birthday, princess," his warm voice came through the speaker as soon as I answered. "I’m so sorry I can’t be there this morning—I had to go back home to handle some urgent business matters, but I’ll be there for your birthday later. I wouldn’t miss it for the world."

"Thank you, Dad," I said, and the words came easier now than they had weeks ago. "I understand about the business. Just knowing you remembered means everything to me."

After we hung up, Joan was already bustling around my room with suspicious energy, humming under her breath and avoiding my eyes in a way that seemed almost theatrical.

"You’re acting weird," I observed, studying her carefully. "What’s going on?"

"Nothing’s going on," she said, her voice pitched just a little too high to be entirely convincing. "Can’t a girl be excited about her best friend’s birthday?"

Before I could press further, my phone rang again. Robert’s name flashed on the screen, and I felt a flutter of surprise. My boss had remembered my birthday, especially him calling this early in the morning.

"Diane, happy birthday!" his voice filled the room. "I hope you’re ready for a wonderful day of celebration. You deserve all the happiness in the world, especially after everything you’ve been through this year."

"Thank you so much, Robert. That really means a lot coming from you."

"Take care of yourself and those babies," he continued warmly. "We’re all rooting for you here at the office. Enjoy your special day!"

After I hung up, I looked between Joan and my mother, both of whom were still acting like they were harboring some secret.

"Okay, what’s the plan for today?" I asked, stretching and preparing to get out of bed. "I assume you’ve got everything arranged for the party?"

Joan and my mother exchanged a look that I couldn’t quite decipher.

"Why don’t you get dressed and come downstairs?" Joan suggested. "We’ll figure out the day from there."

Something in her tone made me pause, but I nodded anyway. Maybe they wanted to surprise me with decorations or something. The thought of a real celebration—my first happy birthday in years—filled me with anticipation.

I took my time getting ready, choosing a comfortable dress that accommodated my portruding belly and packed my hair back into a ponny tail. The twins were particularly active this morning, their movements making me smile as I imagined them celebrating along with me.

When I finally made my way downstairs, I expected to find the living room transformed—balloons, streamers, maybe a beautifully decorated table set for brunch. Instead, I found... nothing. The room looked exactly as it had the night before. No decorations, no signs of party preparations, nothing to indicate that today was supposed to be special.

I stood in the doorway for a long moment, confusion washing over me. Had I misunderstood? Were the plans for later in the day?

"Joan?" I called out, but she was nowhere to be seen. My mother was sitting calmly on the couch, reading a magazine as if this were any ordinary morning.

"Mom, where are the decorations? The party setup?"

She looked up with a perfectly innocent expression. "What decorations, honey?"

My heart sank a little. Maybe I’d built up my expectations too much. Maybe they’d planned something simple, something that didn’t require elaborate preparation.

"I think I’ll take a walk," I said, trying to keep the disappointment out of my voice. "Clear my head a bit."

I made my way through Joan’s backyard toward the beach, thinking perhaps they’d set up something outside—a beautiful beachside celebration to mark this milestone birthday and upcoming baby shower. But as I walked along the familiar path, scanning the shoreline and the deck areas where we sometimes gathered, I found nothing. No tables, no chairs, no signs that any kind of event was planned.

Standing alone on the beach, watching the waves roll in under the morning sun, I felt a familiar ache in my chest. Was this what my life had become? Was I so isolated now, so cut off from meaningful relationships, that even my birthday passed without notice?

"Maybe they just don’t care anymore," I whispered to myself, one hand resting on my belly. "Maybe I’ve pushed everyone away so completely that this is what I deserve."

The twins kicked gently, as if responding to my frustration, and I found myself talking to them softly. "At least I have you two. At least you’ll always be here with me."

I walked back to the house slowly, feeling the weight of loneliness settling around me like a familiar coat. When I entered the living room again, Joan was there, chatting casually with my mother as if nothing were amiss.

"Did you have a nice walk?" Joan asked brightly.

"It was fine," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "Listen, I need to ask you something."

Both women looked at me expectantly.

"Is there... is there actually a party planned for today? Because I don’t see any preparations, and I just want to understand what’s happening."

Joan and my mother exchanged another one of those looks, and my mother’s expression softened with what looked like sympathy.

"Oh, sweetheart," she said gently, "I’m so sorry. The event planner we hired—she called this morning and said she couldn’t make it. Some kind of family emergency. She offered to refund our money, but..."

My face fell, and I felt foolish for having expected so much. Of course something would go wrong. Of course this day wouldn’t be different from all the other disappointments I’d faced this year.

"It’s okay," I said quickly, not wanting them to see how much it hurt. "It’s not a big deal."

"Come sit with me," my mother said, patting the couch beside her. When I settled next to her, she wrapped her arm around my shoulders in a gesture that reminded me of childhood comfort. "You know what? The three of us can still make this special. We’ll go out to dinner somewhere nice. I’ll call your father and ask him to meet us. We’ll make this a celebration to remember."

I nodded, trying to summon enthusiasm for the modified plan. "That sounds nice, Mom. Really."

Joan clapped her hands together suddenly, as if struck by inspiration. "Actually, I have an idea. Why don’t you get ready—I mean, really dressed up. I have something perfect for you to wear, and we’ll make this an evening you’ll never forget."

Something in her tone made me look at her more carefully, but she was already heading toward the stairs.

"Come on," she called over her shoulder. "Let’s make you look absolutely stunning."

In my room, Joan had laid out a dress I’d never seen before—a flowing, elegant gown in deep emerald green that would complement my pregnancy beautifully. Beside it was a delicate tiara that caught the light like captured starlight.

"Joan, where did this come from?" I asked, running my fingers over the silky fabric.

"I picked it up for you," she said casually. "For your special day. Now get dressed—we have reservations to make."

---

Evening came as I changed into the dress, I had to admit it was perfect. The fabric draped beautifully over my pregnant body, and the color brought out the beauty in my eyes. The tiara, when Joan placed it gently on my already styled hair, made me feel like royalty.

"You look absolutely radiant," my mother said when I emerged, her eyes bright with tears. "Like a queen."

I felt a flutter of genuine excitement as we prepared to leave. Maybe this evening could still be special, even if it wasn’t what I’d originally expected.

In the car, I called Dad to let him know about our dinner plans. "We’re heading to the Oceanview Hotel," I told him. "Joan made reservations. Can you meet us there?"

"Of course, princess," he said warmly. "I wouldn’t miss it."

When we arrived at the hotel, I was surprised to see a red carpet rolled out from the entrance to the curb. A uniformed waiter approached our car immediately.

"Mrs. Ashton?" he inquired politely. "Welcome to the Oceanview Hotel. Please, allow me to escort you."

I looked at Joan questioningly, but she just smiled mysteriously. We walked along the red carpet—me feeling slightly ridiculous but also touched by the gesture—and were seated at a beautifully appointed table for four.

"What would you like to order this evening?" the waiter asked, but I held up my hand.

"I’d like to wait for my father to arrive before we order, if that’s okay. But could we start with some freshly squeezed orange juice for me, and wine for these ladies?"

"Of course, madam. Right away."

As we waited, I found myself glancing around the restaurant, taking in the elegant ambiance and the other diners enjoying their meals. Despite the earlier disappointment, I was beginning to feel genuinely happy. This was nice—intimate, special, surrounded by the people who loved me most.

The waiter returned with our drinks and then leaned in slightly. "Excuse me, Mrs. Ashton, but our hotel manager would like to invite you and your party to our VIP area for the remainder of your evening. If you’d like to follow me?"

I looked at Joan and my mother, both of whom seemed as surprised as I was. "VIP area?"

"Yes, madam. This way, please."

We followed him to the elevator, and I expected to be taken to some exclusive restaurant level. Instead, when the doors opened, we were led down a hallway toward what appeared to be an event space.

"I think there’s been some mistake," I started to say, but Joan gently urged me forward.

"Just trust me," she whispered.

I stepped through the doorway first, and my world exploded into light and sound and overwhelming joy.

"SURPRISE! WELCOME TO DIANE’S BIRTHDAY AND BABY SHOWER!"

The entire room was decorated in elegant whites and golds, with balloons and streamers and flowers everywhere. A enormous banner stretched across the back wall, and tables laden with gifts and food filled the space and a very big birthday cake. But most incredibly, the room was full of people—my father standing near the back with a group of colleagues, Robert and several coworkers from the office, friends I hadn’t seen in months.

I stood frozen in the doorway, my hands flying to my mouth as tears began streaming down my face. The betrayal I’d felt all day transformed instantly into overwhelming gratitude and love.

"You... you did this?" I managed to gasp, turning to look at Joan.

She was beaming, tears in her own eyes. "Happy birthday, bestie. I planned it with your parents and... well, one other person who wanted to remain anonymous until now."

I threw my arms around her, holding her as tightly as my pregnant belly would allow. "Joan, this is... this is the most incredible thing anyone has ever done for me. Thank you for being the most amazing friend in the world."

"You deserve all of this and more," she whispered back. "You’ve been through so much, and you’ve handled it with such grace and strength. Tonight is about celebrating you."

I moved through the room in a daze, greeting friends and colleagues, accepting hugs and birthday wishes, feeling more loved and cherished than I had in months. The dress Joan had chosen caught the light perfectly, and I felt beautiful, radiant, celebrated.

Just as I was beginning to think the evening couldn’t get any more perfect, I heard a familiar voice singing "Happy Birthday" from across the room. I turned toward the sound, and my heart stopped.

Noah.

He emerged from behind a group of guests, carrying an enormous bouquet of white roses and baby’s breath, his voice rich and clear as he sang. When our eyes met across the room, I felt something inside my chest break open—all the hurt and anger and loneliness I’d been carrying for weeks dissolving into pure, overwhelming emotion.

I couldn’t stop the sobs that escaped as he approached, the flowers beautiful but not nearly as beautiful as the look in his eyes—tender, hopeful, full of love.

When he reached me, he took my hands gently in his free one, his touch warm and familiar and everything I’d been missing.

"Diane," he said softly, his own voice thick with emotion, "I’ve been angry with you, and I’ve kept my distance because I needed to think. I needed to know if fighting for you, for us, was worth it."

I tried to speak, but he shook his head gently.

"Let me finish, please. These weeks away from you have been the longest of my life. I’ve missed you, I’ve missed your strength, your compassion, and of course, your beautiful heart."

Tears were streaming down both our faces now, and I was vaguely aware that the entire room had gone quiet, everyone watching this moment unfold.