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Chapter Thirty

Penulis: Plot twister
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-03-19 23:26:04

Once I got home, I received a message from Jesse saying he had arrived safely.

I immediately tried calling, but as expected, it was unreachable.

Every time he went on missions, his number automatically became unreachable, as if he had vanished from the world.

I sighed, tossing my phone onto the bed. "I hope he comes back soon."

A strange sense of unease coiled in my chest, tight and suffocating.

Jesse had barely left, and yet, everything already felt... off.

I pushed the feeling away.

Right now, I have something else to focus on.

I grabbed my laptop and got to work. Whoever had texted me earlier had made a bold move, but they clearly underestimated me.

It didn’t take long before I was able to pinpoint a location.

My eyes narrowed at the result.

A nursery school?

I frowned. That didn’t make any sense.

I double-checked the coordinates. There was no mistake. The phone had last been active there.

What the hell?

Why would someone connected to me be at a place like that?

Unless...

I clenche
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  • Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival   Chapter Thirty One

    Athena’s PovUgh! That Bella!No matter what I did, no matter how perfectly I laid out my plans, she always managed to slip through the cracks. Just when I thought I had her cornered, she would find a way to escape.I gritted my teeth, pacing across my living room. My nails dug into my palm as I clenched my fists.Her mother is so useless.Couldn’t she just stab her once and end this for all of us? How hard was it to get rid of one girl? Bella should’ve been out of the picture by now, rotting six feet under the ground, forgotten by the world.But no.She was still here. Still breathing. Still living fine. I was about to grab a drink when my phone started ringing.An unknown number.We weren’t supposed to meet until this evening…A small smile curled at my lips. Maybe he wants to see me sooner.I smoothed down my dress, tucking my hair behind my ear, and picked up the call. I knew he couldn’t see me but I still performed those acts subconsciously.“Hello—”"I hope you haven't forgott

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-20
  • Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival   Chapter Thirty Two

    I swallowed hard, my hands clenched tightly at my sides.The silence stretched, unbearable. Then, finally, his voice cut through the tension like a blade.“When were you going to tell me that you were being threatened?”I felt my blood run cold.So he knew.Of course, he knew.I should have expected this. Nothing escaped him.“I—I was going to tell you,” I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. “I just—”“Just what?” His voice remained calm, but that was what made it terrifying.I felt exposed, vulnerable. I squeezed my eyes shut for a moment before finally blurting out the truth.Everything.The blackmail. The person who saw me try to run Bella over. How I had no choice but to do what they wanted.I admitted to putting the virus into Julius’s system.The moment the words left my lips, he slammed his hand against the table.I jumped, my entire body tensing.The force of his anger sent a chill straight down my spine.“You didn’t think to tell me that you were being blackmailed?” h

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-21
  • Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival   Thirty Three

    I was at home, sprawled on the couch with my laptop open, scrolling through some bussiness files when my phone rang.Ellen.A small smile tugged at my lips as I picked up. “Ellen, to what do I owe the pleasure?”“Bella! Hey,” she greeted, her voice warm. “Are you busy?”“Not particularly.” I closed my laptop and sat up. “What’s up?”“There’s a high school reunion this weekend,” she said excitedly. “A bunch of our old classmates will be there. I thought it’d be fun if we went together.”A reunion?I leaned back, considering it. High school felt like a lifetime ago, a place filled with faces I had long since forgotten—or purposely erased from memory.“Not interested,” I said lazily.“Oh, come on, Bella.” Ellen laughed. “It’ll be fun! Besides, I’m not going if you don’t.”I smirked at that. “You really don’t want to go on your own?”“I could,” she teased. “But I’d rather have you there.”I sighed, pretending to be annoyed, even though I didn’t really mind. “Fine.”Ellen gasped. “Really?”

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-21
  • Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival   Chapter Thirty Four

    Ellen sighed, shaking her head. “I need to go freshen up. I’ll be right back.”I nodded, still watching our old schoolmates whisper. Vannessa had disappeared but the damage to her reputation was done. Good.A few moments passed before my phone buzzed.Ellen: Hey, can you come to the bathroom? My zipper’s stuck, and I need help.I exhaled, slipping my phone into my pulse.Making my way to the bathroom, I pushed open the door. “Ellen, where—”Before I could finish, a rough hand shot out, grabbing my wrist in a bruising grip.“What the—?!” I struggled, my heels scraping against the floor as I was yanked inside. The door slammed shut behind me.A familiar scent—expensive cologne and chocolate oud—hit me before I even saw his face.Julius.I looked up, as his fingers tightened around my arm. His lips curled into a smirk, his dark eyes gleaming with amusement.“Did you miss me, Bella?”Julius chuckled, his grip tightening even more instead of releasing me. “You won’t say anything?”I tried

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-21
  • Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival   Chapter Thirty Five

    I sighed and turned off my screen, tossing my phone onto the bedside table. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with anything else tonight.I checked my phone one last time before bed. Still no response from Jesse.I missed him. So much.His touch… the way his hands would glide over my skin, the way he would whisper my name in that deep, husky voice. Just thinking about it made my body heat up. My fingers trailed absentmindedly down my stomach, lower—I gasped and immediately pulled my hand away, my cheeks burning. What am I doing?I buried my face into my pillow, willing the thoughts away. This was ridiculous. I shouldn’t be thinking about him like this when he wasn’t even here. Shaking my head, I reached over and turned off the lights, forcing myself to sleep.The next morning arrived much faster than I expected.I stretched lazily in bed, rubbing the sleep from my eyes as I instinctively reached for my phone.Still no text from Jesse.A small frown crept onto my lips. He usually finds a w

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-28
  • Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival   Thirty Six

    "It’s called Fall of Duty," Daniel announced excitedly, leaning forward like a kid about to share his favorite toy. "Basically, you shoot some guys down, win, and feel like an absolute badass. Simple, right?"I raised a brow. "Sounds like every other shooting game.""No, no, this one is different!" He wagged a finger at me. "This one has—uh—realistic graphics. Oh, and you get to customize your weapons! Oh! And there are missions! Like, really intense missions where you have to infiltrate enemy bases and—wait, why am I explaining this? Just download it, you’ll see!"I smirked at his enthusiasm. "Alright, alright. Let me download it.""Good choice, Bella! Excellent choice!" He nodded approvingly. "Don’t worry, I’ll help you pass the beginner levels. It can be a bit tough at first, but I got you."I rolled my eyes as I tapped the install button."Oh, and make sure to create a cool username!" Daniel added. "Something intimidating, like… ShadowSniper or QueenOfChaos. Ooh! Or maybe—""Bella

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-28
  • Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival   Thirty Seven

    The gunshot rang out, but it wasn’t aimed at me—or any of my men. It was shot up at the sky.I snapped my gun up, scanning the area. From the shadows, a figure emerged, his steps slow, deliberate. He held his gun raised toward the sky, but there was no fear in his posture. Instead, he carried himself like a man with nothing to lose.I kept my weapon trained on him, finger steady on the trigger. Whatever game he was playing, I wasn’t about to give him the upper hand.The man stopped a few feet away and did something unexpected.He knelt.A wicked smile stretched across his lips, his eyes glinting with something unhinged.“My master has a message for you.”I didn’t respond. My grip on the gun didn’t waver, but I could feel my patience wearing thin. This wasn’t a negotiation.The man tilted his head, amusement flickering across his face. Then, with a dry chuckle, he continued, “He said—”I pulled the trigger.The bullet hit him between the eyes, cutting off whatever nonsense he was about

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-28
  • Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival   Thirty Eight

    After spending hours playing the game with Daniel, I quickly grew bored. At first, his endless chatter was amusing, but after a while, I found myself just nodding along, barely paying attention.Daniel, ever the observant one, finally took the hint. He stretched dramatically, yawning as if he had exhausted himself. "Alright, alright, I get it. You’re tired of my company."I raised an eyebrow. "I didn’t say that.""But you were thinking it," he said with a grin before grabbing his jacket. "I’ll get out of your hair. Don’t miss me too much."I rolled my eyes. "Not likely."He laughed as he walked toward the door, pausing for a moment. "Try not to be too lonely without Jesse, okay?"I didn’t bother responding. I just waved him off, and as soon as the door shut behind him, I let out a deep breath. Finally. Peace and quiet.I pulled out my phone, scrolling through my notifications when my eyes landed on a new message.Jesse: See you soon, baby.I didn’t know when my lips curved into a smil

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-03-28

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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

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