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Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 142
"Tell me," I said quietly."He’s dead," Tomas said in a rush."We found him in his penthouse this morning. They’re saying it was suicide."The world tilted for a moment.I closed my eyes, taking a slow, deep breath.Jesse stepped closer, his hand resting on my lower back, steady and silent."Thank you for telling me," I said after a moment, my voice barely above a whisper."There’s... no family to arrange things," Tomas added awkwardly."And I thought—""I’ll take care of it," I said firmly.Relief rushed into the man’s voice."Thank you, miss. Thank you."I ended the call and set the phone down carefully.For a moment, I just stood there.Letting the news sink in.Not crying.Not raging.Just feeling the heavy, quiet sadness settle into my bones.Jesse didn’t say anything.He just stepped behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist, resting his chin lightly on my shoulder.I leaned back into him, drawing strength from his warmth."Are you okay?" he asked softly."I don’t know," I ad
Last Updated : 2025-04-28Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 143
He slid the phone into his pocket and crossed the room toward me.I set the teacup down as he stopped in front of me.He didn’t say anything at first.Just stood there looking at me with something soft, almost vulnerable, in his eyes.I tilted my head."What?" I asked playfully.He crouched down in front of me so we were eye level."We have a wedding to plan," he said casually, like he was suggesting dinner reservations.I blinked.Then blinked again."What wedding?" I teased, arching a brow."Whose wedding?"He chuckled, deep and low, sliding his hands along my knees, pulling me slightly closer."Ours, baby," he said softly."I’ve annulled the marriage with Anna. It’s only right... we get married."For a moment, my heart stopped.The world spun.Not from fear.But from happiness so fierce it almost knocked the breath from my lungs."Ours?" I repeated, my voice a little shaky.He nodded.Eyes steady.Sure.Certain."You’re the only one I ever wanted, Bella," he said, cupping my cheek.
Last Updated : 2025-04-28Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 144
I sat up, rubbing my eyes, just as he strolled back into the bedroom carrying a tray.Coffee. Croissants. Strawberries.And that boyish, mischievous grin that always made my heart race."Breakfast in bed?" I teased, smiling sleepily.He set the tray down beside me and leaned in, brushing a kiss against my forehead."Not just breakfast," he said.I moved my head."Oh?"He sat down on the edge of the bed, his eyes sparkling with something... secretive."Get dressed, baby," he said, voice low and full of promise."We're leaving in an hour."I blinked."Leaving? Where?"He only grinned wider."You’ll see."An hour later, after much playful grumbling and teasing, I was dressed in casual jeans, a white shirt, and a soft leather jacket Jesse had insisted I wear.The car was already waiting downstairs.Sleek. Black. Windows tinted so dark you couldn’t see inside.I gave him a suspicious look as he opened the door for me."You're not kidnapping me, are you?"He laughed, the sound low and warm.
Last Updated : 2025-04-28Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 145
t how I got so lucky."He leaned over, kissing me slow and deep."You weren’t lucky," he murmured against my mouth."You were destined to become only mine."Anna’s CollapseThe glass doors of the Elmore estate slammed open so hard they rattled against their frames.Anna flinched instinctively, snapping her head up from where she sat, stiff and pale, on one of the long leather couches in the grand hall.Her father stormed inside —Alexander Elmore, the man whose name had once made entire cities tremble —now glaring at his daughter with a look of absolute fury.Behind him, guards and advisors hovered uncertainly, not daring to enter the room.The air felt thick.Suffocating.Anna rose shakily to her feet, her heart thudding painfully against her ribs."Father—""Silence!" Alexander roared.The word cracked like a whip through the cavernous hall.Anna’s mouth closed with a snap.She had never seen him like this.Not even when rival empires had threatened their holdings.Not even when sc
Last Updated : 2025-04-28Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 146
"Come on," he said. "I have plans."I groaned dramatically, pulling the sheet over my head."More plans? I’m still recovering from last night’s plans."He laughed — a deep, beautiful sound — and tugged the sheet down gently."You’ll like these," he promised.Half an hour later, we were barefoot, hand in hand, walking along the beach.The sand was cool under our feet, the early morning sky painted in soft pinks and golds.Jesse led me to a small cove tucked away behind a wall of jagged black rocks.There, waiting for us, was a small wooden boat bobbing gently in the shallows.Two paddles rested inside.And a small wicker basket.I turned to him, raising an eyebrow."A boat ride? Seriously?"He smirked."A romantic boat ride."I snorted but allowed him to help me in anyway.We paddled lazily out into the open water.The island shrank behind us, a green gem floating in a sea of blue.Jesse opened the basket, pulling out cold lemonade, fresh fruit, and a blanket.We anchored ourselves wit
Last Updated : 2025-04-28Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 147
"Bella? Baby, what’s wrong?"I just stood there, frozen, staring at him.I held up the test with trembling fingers.For a moment, he just blinked at it.Then he looked at me.Then back at it.And then—He dropped to his knees in front of me so fast I gasped.His hands slid up my waist, cradling my hips gently.He pressed his forehead against my stomach, breathing me in.Trembling.Overwhelmed."Are you sure?" he rasped against my skin.I nodded, tears filling my eyes.A broken laugh escaped him — choked, joyful, raw.He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me so tightly I could barely breathe."I love you," he whispered over and over."I love you so much."From that moment forward, Jesse turned into a man possessed.Protective didn’t even begin to cover it.He treated me like I was made of glass wrapped in silk wrapped in diamonds."You’re not carrying a baby," I teased him one morning as he insisted on carrying me—literally carrying me—from the bedroom to the kitchen."You’re ca
Last Updated : 2025-04-28Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 148
Jesse took to fatherhood like he had been waiting his whole life for it.He hovered over both of us constantly —checking the room temperature,checking if she was breathing,checking if I was drinking enough water.It was both heart-melting and hilarious."Bella," he said one afternoon, practically bursting into our bedroom with a worried look, "I don’t think she’s eaten enough today."I blinked at him from the bed, where our daughter was curled against me, fast asleep and milk-drunk with a little smile on her face."Jesse," I said patiently,"She's fine. Look at her. She’s smiling."He scowled, arms crossed over his chest."I still think we should call the pediatrician."I laughed softly."We already called twice this week."He grumbled under his breath, coming over to sit carefully on the edge of the bed.Gently — so, so gently — he ran a fingertip along her tiny cheek.She yawned, wrinkling her nose, and Jesse froze, looking like someone had just handed him the keys to the univers
Last Updated : 2025-04-28Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 148
Jesse took to fatherhood like he had been waiting his whole life for it.He hovered over both of us constantly —checking the room temperature,checking if she was breathing,checking if I was drinking enough water.It was both heart-melting and hilarious."Bella," he said one afternoon, practically bursting into our bedroom with a worried look, "I don’t think she’s eaten enough today."I blinked at him from the bed, where our daughter was curled against me, fast asleep and milk-drunk with a little smile on her face."Jesse," I said patiently,"She's fine. Look at her. She’s smiling."He scowled, arms crossed over his chest."I still think we should call the pediatrician."I laughed softly."We already called twice this week."He grumbled under his breath, coming over to sit carefully on the edge of the bed.Gently — so, so gently — he ran a fingertip along her tiny cheek.She yawned, wrinkling her nose, and Jesse froze, looking like someone had just handed him the keys to the univers
Last Updated : 2025-04-28
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Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 150
After hours of playing until our cheeks were pink and our fingers numb inside our gloves, Jesse suggested a swim to warm up.The chalet’s indoor heated pool gleamed invitingly, the tall windows letting in the soft light.Lucas splashed happily at the shallow end with Justin nearby while Jesse held our daughter carefully, letting her float gently across the water as she squealed in delight.I floated lazily, watching them, my heart so full it ached.This.This was everything.Until it wasn’t.It happened so fast I almost didn't see it.A shadow moved near the balcony windows.A figure —tall, fast, predatory —slipping silently into the pool room.And I saw the glint of metal in his hand.A knife."Lucas!" I screamed.The boy turned instinctively toward my voice — just as the man lunged.Everything slowed.I kicked off the wall hard, propelling myself across the water, but I was too far.Too slow.My heart crashed against my ribs, my scream tearing from my throat—When suddenly—Bang!
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 149
I leaned forward, heart tightening."Go on.""It's about his son."I froze.For a moment, I thought I misheard him."His... son?""Yes," Tomas said grimly. "The child Athena carried—it was his after all. After everything fell apart, no one claimed the boy. He's in the St. Mary's Orphanage on the east side of the city."I gripped the phone tighter."And no one's...?""No, miss. No one. He's been there since he was born."My chest squeezed painfully. I swallowed hard."Thank you for telling me," I said quietly.I ended the call and stood, my mind racing.I told Jesse everything. "I’ll drive," he said, grabbing the car keys without question.The orphanage was an old, crumbling brick building tucked away in a poorer part of the city.Children played listlessly in the cracked courtyard, most too thin, too wary.My heart ached just looking at them.Then I saw it.A small boy—maybe three years old—being shoved hard by two older kids.He stumbled, falling on the concrete, a bloody scrape bloo
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 148
Jesse took to fatherhood like he had been waiting his whole life for it.He hovered over both of us constantly —checking the room temperature,checking if she was breathing,checking if I was drinking enough water.It was both heart-melting and hilarious."Bella," he said one afternoon, practically bursting into our bedroom with a worried look, "I don’t think she’s eaten enough today."I blinked at him from the bed, where our daughter was curled against me, fast asleep and milk-drunk with a little smile on her face."Jesse," I said patiently,"She's fine. Look at her. She’s smiling."He scowled, arms crossed over his chest."I still think we should call the pediatrician."I laughed softly."We already called twice this week."He grumbled under his breath, coming over to sit carefully on the edge of the bed.Gently — so, so gently — he ran a fingertip along her tiny cheek.She yawned, wrinkling her nose, and Jesse froze, looking like someone had just handed him the keys to the univers
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 148
Jesse took to fatherhood like he had been waiting his whole life for it.He hovered over both of us constantly —checking the room temperature,checking if she was breathing,checking if I was drinking enough water.It was both heart-melting and hilarious."Bella," he said one afternoon, practically bursting into our bedroom with a worried look, "I don’t think she’s eaten enough today."I blinked at him from the bed, where our daughter was curled against me, fast asleep and milk-drunk with a little smile on her face."Jesse," I said patiently,"She's fine. Look at her. She’s smiling."He scowled, arms crossed over his chest."I still think we should call the pediatrician."I laughed softly."We already called twice this week."He grumbled under his breath, coming over to sit carefully on the edge of the bed.Gently — so, so gently — he ran a fingertip along her tiny cheek.She yawned, wrinkling her nose, and Jesse froze, looking like someone had just handed him the keys to the univers
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 147
"Bella? Baby, what’s wrong?"I just stood there, frozen, staring at him.I held up the test with trembling fingers.For a moment, he just blinked at it.Then he looked at me.Then back at it.And then—He dropped to his knees in front of me so fast I gasped.His hands slid up my waist, cradling my hips gently.He pressed his forehead against my stomach, breathing me in.Trembling.Overwhelmed."Are you sure?" he rasped against my skin.I nodded, tears filling my eyes.A broken laugh escaped him — choked, joyful, raw.He wrapped his arms around my waist and held me so tightly I could barely breathe."I love you," he whispered over and over."I love you so much."From that moment forward, Jesse turned into a man possessed.Protective didn’t even begin to cover it.He treated me like I was made of glass wrapped in silk wrapped in diamonds."You’re not carrying a baby," I teased him one morning as he insisted on carrying me—literally carrying me—from the bedroom to the kitchen."You’re ca
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 146
"Come on," he said. "I have plans."I groaned dramatically, pulling the sheet over my head."More plans? I’m still recovering from last night’s plans."He laughed — a deep, beautiful sound — and tugged the sheet down gently."You’ll like these," he promised.Half an hour later, we were barefoot, hand in hand, walking along the beach.The sand was cool under our feet, the early morning sky painted in soft pinks and golds.Jesse led me to a small cove tucked away behind a wall of jagged black rocks.There, waiting for us, was a small wooden boat bobbing gently in the shallows.Two paddles rested inside.And a small wicker basket.I turned to him, raising an eyebrow."A boat ride? Seriously?"He smirked."A romantic boat ride."I snorted but allowed him to help me in anyway.We paddled lazily out into the open water.The island shrank behind us, a green gem floating in a sea of blue.Jesse opened the basket, pulling out cold lemonade, fresh fruit, and a blanket.We anchored ourselves wit
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 145
t how I got so lucky."He leaned over, kissing me slow and deep."You weren’t lucky," he murmured against my mouth."You were destined to become only mine."Anna’s CollapseThe glass doors of the Elmore estate slammed open so hard they rattled against their frames.Anna flinched instinctively, snapping her head up from where she sat, stiff and pale, on one of the long leather couches in the grand hall.Her father stormed inside —Alexander Elmore, the man whose name had once made entire cities tremble —now glaring at his daughter with a look of absolute fury.Behind him, guards and advisors hovered uncertainly, not daring to enter the room.The air felt thick.Suffocating.Anna rose shakily to her feet, her heart thudding painfully against her ribs."Father—""Silence!" Alexander roared.The word cracked like a whip through the cavernous hall.Anna’s mouth closed with a snap.She had never seen him like this.Not even when rival empires had threatened their holdings.Not even when sc
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 144
I sat up, rubbing my eyes, just as he strolled back into the bedroom carrying a tray.Coffee. Croissants. Strawberries.And that boyish, mischievous grin that always made my heart race."Breakfast in bed?" I teased, smiling sleepily.He set the tray down beside me and leaned in, brushing a kiss against my forehead."Not just breakfast," he said.I moved my head."Oh?"He sat down on the edge of the bed, his eyes sparkling with something... secretive."Get dressed, baby," he said, voice low and full of promise."We're leaving in an hour."I blinked."Leaving? Where?"He only grinned wider."You’ll see."An hour later, after much playful grumbling and teasing, I was dressed in casual jeans, a white shirt, and a soft leather jacket Jesse had insisted I wear.The car was already waiting downstairs.Sleek. Black. Windows tinted so dark you couldn’t see inside.I gave him a suspicious look as he opened the door for me."You're not kidnapping me, are you?"He laughed, the sound low and warm.
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 143
He slid the phone into his pocket and crossed the room toward me.I set the teacup down as he stopped in front of me.He didn’t say anything at first.Just stood there looking at me with something soft, almost vulnerable, in his eyes.I tilted my head."What?" I asked playfully.He crouched down in front of me so we were eye level."We have a wedding to plan," he said casually, like he was suggesting dinner reservations.I blinked.Then blinked again."What wedding?" I teased, arching a brow."Whose wedding?"He chuckled, deep and low, sliding his hands along my knees, pulling me slightly closer."Ours, baby," he said softly."I’ve annulled the marriage with Anna. It’s only right... we get married."For a moment, my heart stopped.The world spun.Not from fear.But from happiness so fierce it almost knocked the breath from my lungs."Ours?" I repeated, my voice a little shaky.He nodded.Eyes steady.Sure.Certain."You’re the only one I ever wanted, Bella," he said, cupping my cheek.
