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Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 94
Jesse’s POV"$1,000,000," I said, slow and final, lifting my paddle one last time.The room held its breath.Every eye flicked toward the bidder who had been antagonizing me for the past fifteen minutes—bit by bit, pushing up the price like it was a damn game. The masked man leaned back in his chair, silent. Then, with an almost theatrical shrug, he lowered his paddle.“Sold!” the announcer declared, a mix of relief and disbelief in his voice. “To Mr. Jesse Styles!”The audience burst into scattered applause, not for the necklace, but for the spectacle. The tension dissolved, but not in me.Bella turned to me, still gripping my arm. “You didn’t have to—”“I know,” I said, scanning the room. “But I wanted to.”Daniel whistled low. “That’s one hell of a statement piece.”“Wasn’t about the piece,” I muttered.He nodded. “Yeah. I figured.”We returned to mingling, but I stayed alert. My instincts were never wrong. Whoever that man was, he hadn’t come for diamonds. He’d come for disruption
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 95
Jesse’s POV Just as Daniel launched into another exaggerated tale about his game exploits, my phone buzzed on the coffee table. I picked it up, eyes narrowing when I saw the name flashing across the screen—Lucas. I answered immediately, standing and stepping away from the living room noise. “Talk to me.” Lucas sounded rattled, his voice lower than usual. “Sir… I don’t know how else to put this. We’ve got nothing.” I frowned. “Nothing?” “Not even a trace,” he said. “The masked man from the auction—there’s no identity, no digital footprint, not even a false alias to work with. It’s like he doesn’t exist.” My jaw clenched. Lucas continued, clearly frustrated. “I’ve got three of our best black-hat contractors running deep scans. They’re scraping hidden databases, encrypted networks, old syndicate files—even digging through the dark web. But everything’s either been wiped clean or it was never there to begin with.” “That’s not possible,” I growled. “Everyone leaves a trail.” “Exa
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 96
I followed Jesse silently out of the courtroom. He didn’t say a word as he opened the car door for me, and I climbed in without hesitation, my fingers trembling in my lap.But once the door shut and the car pulled away from the curb, I couldn’t hold it in anymore.“Jesse, don’t do this,” I blurted out, my voice thick with desperation. “Let him stay in jail for ten… twenty… in fact, life imprisonment if you must—but don’t do that to him. Please.”He didn’t look at me. He kept his eyes straight ahead, jaw clenched.“You said you won’t interfere,” he muttered, voice sharp.“I know what I said,” I replied quickly, leaning toward him, “but Jesse… he’s lost his grandfather already. He’s lost everything already. At least leave him with his sanity. The torturous methods there are for people with the worst crimes imaginable. He really didn’t intentionally do it. Jesse, please…”He scoffed under his breath, finally glancing at me, but the look in his eyes was unreadable. Cold. Hardened. “You sa
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 97
Athena’s POVThe air inside the cell was damp and heavy, the stench of metal and mildew clinging to every breath I took. My wrists ached from the cold cuffs, my pride still shattered by the humiliation of being locked away like an animal—all because of that bastard, Julius.I was curled up on the edge of the hard prison bed when the sound of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor. A guard appeared at the bars. “You. Out.”I blinked up at him, disoriented. “What?”The door creaked open, and I was yanked to my feet before I could even process what was happening. Was Julius finally coming to his senses? Had he come to release me?They didn’t give me a chance to ask. They pulled me roughly out of the cell block and toward the exit. But before I could feel the sunlight on my skin again, a black van screeched to a stop in front of me. I was shoved inside with no warning.“Who are you? Who are you!” I screamed as two masked men flanked me. One of them reached into his pocket and pull
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 98
“I actually have a child.”He didn’t sound excited. Not shocked. Just… amused.My breath caught in my throat, my heart thudding wildly in my chest. “Can you put the gun down?” I asked skeptically, my voice barely above a whisper, the fear making it tremble despite my best efforts to sound composed.He stared at me, still crouched at eye level, the barrel of the gun unwavering.“No,” he said without hesitation, his tone as cold as the steel in his hand. “Why would I trust your words? If you could cheat on Julius with me? There could be other men too.”I could feel my stomach drop at the venom behind his calm delivery.“I will let you live for now. But once I figure out you lied, you will die that day.”A chill ran through me, colder than anything I’d felt in that prison cell. It wasn’t just a threat—it was a promise.“I thought you loved me!” I screamed, tears starting to blur my vision. My voice cracked with desperation. “Why were you then helping me to destroy Bella all along? Why wo
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 99
Bella’s POVAs Jesse’s words sank in—“Would you like it if I was concerned about another woman?”—a wave of guilt rushed through me.I looked at him, standing there with fire in his eyes, pain etched along the tension in his jaw. And I... I felt guilty.But not just for him.A part of me—one I tried so hard to silence—ached for Julius too. It wasn’t the same kind of love anymore, not like what I felt for Jesse now, but there was something. A thread I hadn’t cut clean. Maybe guilt. Maybe empathy. Maybe both.Did I still love him?The question cut through my heart like a slow whisper.No. I shook my head slightly, trying to dispel the thought. That wasn’t what this was. Julius had made his bed, and Jesse… Jesse was the one who held me when I broke.Still, the weight in my chest wouldn’t lift.I’ll find another way to get Julius out, I promised myself silently. But not like this. Not through Jesse. Not by asking him again and again until I damage everything we’ve tried so hard to rebuild.
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 100
In a dimly lit chamber buried beneath a forgotten estate, shadows danced along stone walls, flickering with the low orange glow of a single lantern swaying gently overhead. The masked man sat at the head of the long steel table, his fingers steepled beneath his chin, eyes glinting behind a sleek obsidian mask that reflected the candlelight like a mirror of menace.He tilted his head slightly as one of his subordinates approached him cautiously, hands behind his back, voice low and respectful.“Sir… Jesse is still trying to figure out who you are.”The masked man chuckled—a cold, humorless sound that echoed through the chamber like a sharp knife being dragged across glass.“Of course he is,” he murmured. “He would. It’s only natural. A man like him… I truly wouldn’t have wanted to become enemies with.”He leaned forward slightly, his voice gaining an edge of amusement that didn’t reach his eyes.“But he just had to fall for the wrong woman.”There was a pause. The silence thickened.An
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 101
Jesse’s POVBella fell asleep not long after, her breath soft and steady, her body curled up beneath the sheets like she finally felt safe. I stood at the edge of the bed for a moment, just watching her. Her lashes fluttered slightly with each exhale, lips parted gently as though she was dreaming of something sweet. Maybe of us. Maybe of nothing at all. Either way, she looked peaceful—so heartbreakingly peaceful. And beautiful.I loved her.God, I loved her so much.There was a kind of stillness in that moment, the kind that only came when the world quieted just long enough for you to realize what mattered. And right now, all that mattered was her.Then my phone buzzed quietly on the dresser.Not wanting to wake her, I reached for it, stepped out of the room, and closed the door softly behind me before answering.“Hello?” I said quietly, already knowing the tone on the other end wouldn’t be good.“Sir,” came the low voice of one of my security leads. “It’s about Athena.”My jaw tensed
Last Updated : 2025-04-23
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Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 140
Jesse didn’t wait.He didn’t have time.He stood tall, voice cutting through the confusion like a sword:"You were lied to," he said..""Anna drugged me. Stole my memories. Tried to turn me into a pawn."Gasps.Shouts."But I remember now," Jesse said, voice rising."I remember everything."He looked at each of them in turn, letting them see it."Bella saved me," he said.Jesse swallowed hard.Emotion strangled him for a moment.But there was no time for sentiment now.He pointed toward the battlefield beyond the walls."Anna’s forces are tearing Dominion apart," he barked."We have to join the battle and subdue Anna"A roar answered him."To the gates!" Jesse bellowed.And they moved—like a storm unleashed.The eastern gate flew open.Jesse led his forces through it, armor gleaming under the sun, sword blazing in his hand.Dominion's soldiers—nearly overwhelmed—saw him charge into the fray and rallied like men rising from the dead.Bella—fighting atop the crumbling battlements—turned
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 139
Bella drew her own sword then—long, silver-edged, a gift from her late father.It gleamed in her hand like a promise.She turned to Kael."Stay at the walls," she said. "Command from here."Kael frowned, catching the dangerous light in her eyes."My lady—""I'm going down there."She didn’t give him a chance to argue.She descended the inner stairs two at a time, the battle raging louder with every step, until she burst into the courtyard where fresh soldiers were rushing to reinforce the lines.They parted instinctively as she passed—eyes wide, faces awed.Bella didn’t stop.She charged through the outer gate just as another battering ram crashed uselessly against the thick stone, and then she was in the heart of it.Sword raised.The first enemy soldier lunged toward her.Bella sidestepped easily, driving her blade into his ribs with clean precision.Another swung a heavy axe at her head.She ducked low, slicing across his knee, sending him crumpling to the dirt.Her training kick
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 138
She met Marcus’s hard gaze head-on."Stand aside when Anna attacks. Protect Jesse if he’s targeted. That’s all.""And what about Anna?" someone called from the back.Bella’s smile was cold and sharp."I’ll handle her."Marcus was silent for a long moment.The entire clearing seemed to hold its breath.Finally—he nodded once.Hard."If Jesse fights for you," he said,"Then so will we."Bella's breath caught.Not relief.Not yet.There would be no real relief until Jesse stood beside her, whole again.But it was something."Swear it," she said quietly.Marcus drew his sword.Pointed it to the sky."I swear it," he said.One by one, the soldiers behind him echoed the oath—hands raised, fists pounding against chests.Bella closed her eyes for half a second. Dominion would not fall today.Kael stepped closer."My lady," he said urgently,"we must return. Anna's forces will reach the outer walls within the hour."Bella nodded.She gave Marcus one last hard look."Stay true," she said."Or
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 137
She glanced to her left where Rovan rode beside her, his horse’s breath steaming in the frozen air."The eastern watchposts have fallen?" she asked calmly.Rovan nodded."Yes, my lady. Minimal casualties. Dominion forces are stretched thin defending the outlying trade routes, just as you predicted."Anna smiled faintly.Bella thought she was clever—moving silently, rebuilding her little empire in the shadows.But she had grown soft.Love. Loyalty. Sentiment.All the weaknesses Anna had carved out of herself years ago.Bella had them in abundance.And Anna would use every one of them to crush her.The estate was visible now in the distance.Even from here, its silver towers and iron gates gleamed under the pale moonlight like a fortress carved from a dream.Anna narrowed her eyes.Soon, it would be hers.She raised her hand, signaling a halt.The army stopped instantly—trained, disciplined.She turned in the saddle to face them, her voice cutting through the cold air like a blade."Ton
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 136
And soon—she would pay for it with everything she loved.Anna stood above the valley cliffs, her black-gloved hands gripping the stone railing as she watched her forces disappear into the misty hills.Her smile was razor-sharp now.Because the truth was—This was never about Jesse alone.No.This was about Dominion.About power.About taking everything Bella had rebuilt after her fall — and grinding it beneath Anna’s heel.She wanted Dominion for herself.The empire.The resources.The power it held over every shadowed trade route and underworld contract on the continent.Jesse had just been the bait.The excuse.And Bella, foolish in her sentimentality, had handed her the perfect justification by kidnapping him.Anna turned to Rovan, her second-in-command."We won’t just retrieve Jesse," she said, her voice smooth and deadly."We’ll seize Dominion itself."Rovan’s brows furrowed slightly. "But my lady, Dominion’s forces—""Will be fractured," Anna interrupted coolly. "Once the borde
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 135
Small at first.Barely noticeable.Then it grew worse.His entire body tensed, muscles locking, breaths becoming shallow and fast like he was fighting something.His hands gripped the blanket tightly, knuckles white.I sat up immediately."Jesse," I whispered, reaching out to touch his arm.He flinched violently at the contact, a sharp cry tearing from his throat—a sound so broken, so full of fear, it shattered something inside me.He wasn’t awake.Not fully.He was trapped somewhere deep inside himself."Jesse," I said again, firmer this time. "It's me. Bella. You're safe."He thrashed once, fists clenching like he was trying to fight invisible enemies.Sweat beaded on his forehead.I caught his wrists carefully, not restraining him, just anchoring him to something real."Shh..." I whispered, leaning closer. "You're safe. No one’s hurting you. I'm here."Slowly, his breathing hitched—sharp, jagged gasps breaking through the fog.His eyes snapped open, wild, unfocused.He looked right
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 134
I brought him his tea, just like every other morning since he returned.But this time, when I placed it in his hands, he didn’t immediately drink it.He just... stared at me.Longer than usual.Long enough that the hairs on my arms prickled.Like he was trying to see something inside me.Something he couldn't quite remember.I sat beside him, keeping a careful distance.“How are you feeling?” I asked gently.He tilted his head slightly, confusion flickering across his face.“I feel like... I should know you,” he said finally, his voice rough from sleep and something deeper.My throat tightened.“You do,” I whispered. “You will.”He frowned, as if struggling inside his own mind.“I keep seeing... flashes. A hand reaching for mine. Laughter. A... necklace?”He pressed his fingers to his temple, frustrated.“It’s all broken. Like... like pieces of glass.”I reached out slowly, letting my hand rest lightly over his.“You're remembering,” I said, voice trembling with hope. “Even if it’s sm
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 133
His eyes locked on mine.No memories.But something shone there.He stepped closer, holding the tiny flower out to me.“You’re beautiful,” he said softly. “Just like this.”My throat tightened painfully.Tears pricked the corners of my eyes.I took the flower carefully, cradling it between my fingers like it was the most precious thing I’d ever been given.“Thank you, Jesse,” I whispered.He smiled.Really smiled.For the first time since I brought him back.Jesse’s smile.The one I’d fallen in love with once before.The one I was falling for all over again.We spent the rest of the afternoon in the gardens.I told him small, harmless things—stories about the flowers, about the diffMarcust statues scattered around the estate.He listened closely, his attention sharp whenever I spoke.At one point, he reached out and brushed a leaf from my hair, his fingers lingering near my cheek longer than necessary.He didn’t understand why he wanted to touch me.Didn’t remember.But he still did.
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 132
Down the maintenance shaft.Through the hidden door.Into the cold breath of the night.We made it to the transport just as the first alarm howled through the estate.I shoved Jesse inside, climbed in after him, and Kael slammed the door shut.The vehicle peeled into the tunnels like a bullet, shields cloaking us from heat sensors.Behind us, the estate lit up with searchlights and shouting guards.Too late.I held Jesse close against me as we sped away.His breathing was shallow.His body stiff.But he was here.Alive.Mine again.I looked down at him—this man who had fought so many battles for me without ever asking for anything back.And I whispered the words I should have said a long time ago.“I’m never letting you go again.”We made it back to Dominion just before sunrise.The sky was still dark, bleeding into deep violet as we pulled through the hidden tunnels beneath the estate.Kael handled the security re-entry codes.Justin coordinated the sweeps to make sure no foreign tra
