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Forty Five
Dernière mise à jour:
2025-03-31 20:05:33
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Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival Forty Six
Daniel leaned back against the couch, stretching his arms dramatically. “Man, I should visit more often. This place is way better than my office. Comfy seats, good food, great company.” He shot me a playful wink.I chuckled. “Don’t get too comfortable. I’m pretty sure Jesse’s already regretting letting you in.”Jesse smirked. “That implies I let him in.”Daniel gasped, placing a hand over his heart. “Jesse, that hurts. Truly. Is this any way to treat your best doctor?”Jesse raised an eyebrow. “You mean my only doctor who refuses to stay in his own damn hospital?”Daniel grinned. “I came because I was worried about you. Don’t be such a kill joy.”I shook my head, amused by their usual banter. Daniel was always full of energy, and it was impossible not to laugh around him.After a few more minutes of chatting, Daniel checked his watch and groaned. “Alright, as much as I’d love to stick around and brighten your dull lives, I actually have real work to do.”I laughed. “You’re finally rem
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-03-31Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival Forty Seven
Just as Jesse’s lips trailed down my neck, my phone started ringing. The sharp sound cut through the quiet, making me stiffen slightly in his arms.He didn’t stop. His lips ghosted over my ear, his breath warm against my skin as he murmured, “Ignore it.”I swallowed hard. “It might be important—”But the moment I reached for my phone, Jesse caught my wrist, pinning it back against his chest. “Not now. I want you.” His voice was husky, deep, possessive. His fingers brushed over my other hand, forcing me to drop the phone onto the couch.The call ended.I let out a shaky breath, only for the phone to start ringing again. The sound was persistent, insistent.Jesse’s jaw tightened. His irritation was evident. “Who keeps calling you?”I hesitated. “It’s just Ellen—”His eyes narrowed slightly. “Ellen?”I felt weak under his prolonged gaze. “She’s an old schoolmate. We recently started talking again.”His lips twitched. “Is that so?”His fingers slid down my waist, teasingly slow, as if tes
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-03-31Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival Forty Eight
I hesitated for only a second before pushing the door open.The room was dark, the only light coming from the faint light beneath the heavy curtains. I was so confused about what was happening. I reached for the switch, flicking it on.What I saw made me freeze in place.Julius.He was sitting on the edge of the bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his hands clasped together as if deep in thought.I took a sharp step back. "Julius? What the hell are you doing here?"My instinct screamed at me to turn around and leave, and I did—I turned around, reaching for the door handle. But before I could pull it open, his voice stopped me."Bella, please. Don’t go."I clenched my jaw, my hand tightening on the knob. I should have walked out. I should have ignored him. But something in his voice made my feet stay rooted to the ground.Against my better judgment, I turned back around, my eyes finally taking him in fully.He looked… terrible.There were dark circles beneath his eyes, his usual shar
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-03-31Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival Forty Nine
Silence.For a brief second, I thought he might reach for me. But he didn’t. Instead, he just nodded, resigned.I didn’t say anything else either. I stood up and walked out of the room without looking back.Jesse was waiting for me in the car. As we drove, Jesse glanced at me. “So, what happened with Ellen?”I hesitated for a split second. My mind flashed back to Julius, to the conversation I had just walked away from. I opened my mouth, ready to tell him the truth—but the words wouldn’t come out.Instead, I forced a small smile. “She was having some financial problems, so I lent her some money. Nothing too serious.” I let out a light laugh, hoping it sounded natural.Jesse didn’t respond right away. His sharp gaze lingered on me for a moment.But then he simply nodded. “Okay. Well, that’s fine then.” He turned his attention back to the road. “I’ll drop you home. I have some matters to attend to at the office.”I exhaled in relief, grateful he hadn’t pushed further.When we pulled up
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-03-31Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival Fifty (Jesse’s Pov)
When Bella stepped out of the car to meet Ellen, I considered following her inside anyway. Something about the whole situation felt off. But in the end, I decided against it.I trusted Bella, even if I didn’t trust the circumstances.A few minutes later, a call came in. Business matters. I had to handle some loose ends. By the time Bella returned, she looked… shaken. Her cheeks were flushed, her eyes darting around as if she was still processing whatever had happened inside.“What happened?” I asked.She hesitated for half a second before brushing it off with a small laugh. “Ellen was having some financial issues, so I lent her some money. Nothing serious.”Lies.I could read her too well. The way she refused to meet my eyes, the way she forced that nonchalant smile—it wasn’t the full truth. But I let it slide.For now.She’d eventually tell me. One way or another.—After dropping Bella off at home, I didn’t go straight to the office as I originally planned.Instead, I headed to Impe
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-03-31Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival Fifty One
“I’ll consider it,” I said, leaning back in my chair, my fingers tapping against the wood. “But we’ll discuss my conditions later.”The president studied me for a moment before nodding. “Understood. I’ll wait for your decision.”With that, the meeting was over.I stood up and made my way toward my car. I thought of her. Bella.She seemed tense when I dropped her off.As I slid into the driver’s seat, my phone buzzed with a new notification.I expected a message from her. Instead it was from an unknown number.It was a video and beneath it, a single caption:"She’ll always be my slut."I pressed play anyway.I recognized the space almost instantly—a hotel room.And then—Bella.My Bella was with him.Julius had his hands on her waist, his body too close, his lips moving over hers like he had every fucking right.At first, she seemed to resist. Her hands came up against his chest, like she was trying to push him off. But then—She stopped.She let it happen.Just for a second. Just lo
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-02Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival Fifty Two
I didn’t let go.Instead, I kissed her.Hard.Bella gasped against my lips, but I didn’t give her a chance to protest. My hands gripped her waist, pushing her back onto the bed.She was already flushed from what she’d been doing earlier, her skin warm beneath my fingertips, her breath uneven.I should have stopped.I should have listened to her.But I couldn’t. No, I didn’t want to."Jesse, don’t," she whispered, trying to push against my chest.I didn’t budge. My weight kept her pinned beneath me, my hands caging her in."Why?" I murmured darkly. "Would you prefer him touching you instead?"Her eyes widened. "What?! No—""Then why, Bella?" I leaned in, my lips brushing over the tip of her ear. "Why did you let him kiss you?"She shivered beneath me. "It wasn’t like that—""Do you think I wasn’t hurt?" My voice dropped lower, more dangerous. "You think it didn’t kill me seeing you kiss another man?"Her lips parted, but I didn’t let her speak."Aren’t you supposed to belong to me and
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-02Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival Fifty Three
Bella’s povI was trembling with rage as I drove to Julius’s office, the humiliation burning deep within me. Jesse didn’t even care to hear me out. He just did whatever he wanted and told me to leave. I felt so much pain. Whatever Julius wanted to achieve, he had gotten it. As I pulled into the parking lot of his office building, I felt the knot in my stomach tighten. I didn’t even know if he’d be there, but that didn’t matter. I wanted to give him a piece of my mind. It felt like the only thing I could do right now that would help me retain my sanity. I stormed into the building with one thing in mind: Julius. I didn’t need to ask for directions; I knew exactly where his office was located. I had spent so many hours there during our marriage, waiting for him to acknowledge me, to care for me in the way that I needed, that I could almost walk to it with my eyes closed. The walk down the sleek, glass-lined corridor seemed to stretch endlessly, but I didn’t care. No one stopped m
Dernière mise à jour : 2025-04-02
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Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 130
Chemical-induced psychosis.Someone had been feeding Reza a micro-dose of hallucinogenic toxins over the last year—strong enough to twist her mind without killing her.Only one family had the kind of expertise needed to pull it off perfectly, without detection.The Elmore family.Anna.I slammed the file shut, my fury cold and precise.“She’s not working with a ghost,” I said.“She’s just another broken toy.”Kael nodded grimly. “Anna used her. Planted the fear. Fed her the stories. Made her believe she was part of something bigger.”"And when she was done with her?"Kael’s expression hardened. "She left her to rot in her own madness."Later that night, I returned to the dungeon alone.Reza was curled on the floor now, muttering to herself.She didn’t even look up when I entered.I stood there for a long time, watching her.She had betrayed me.She had tried to weaken the Empire.But somehow, staring at her now, I didn’t feel hatred. Just indifference. Bella’s POVI stood at the high
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 129
Gasps echoed through the room. One of the councilmen stood in panic.But before she could move, Kael was already there—steel against her wrist, slamming her to the ground with a precision honed in blood.The blade clattered to the floor.Reza let out a sharp breath, rage etched into every line of her face.“Dominion is already lost,” she hissed, spitting the words like poison. “You think you’ve won, girl. But you don’t even know the real plan.”I stepped forward, eyes locked on hers.“Then speak,” I said coldly. “Before I decide your death should come quicker than your trial.”She laughed then—low and bitter.Not the laugh of someone defeated.The laugh of someone who knew what was still coming.My pulse slowed. Tightened.“Who?”Reza’s eyes gleamed.“The one even your uncle feared.” She leaned closer, whispering like it tasted good to say it.“Cyrus.”I stared at her.“ Cyrus is the real move. And he’s already begun.”I didn’t blink. “What has he started?”She refused to speak any lo
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 128
He walked beside me as we moved toward the armored vehicle waiting beyond the runway.“We’ve reestablished order in the outer provinces. The council is restless but compliant. Your presence alone has stabilized the unrest.” He paused. “Your uncle’s name hasn’t been spoken in weeks. He’s in hiding.”The gates of the Dominion estate swung open.As I stepped out of the car, the familiar scent of power, blood, and memory greeted me like an old friend.Guards lined the entrance.Servants bowed.Kael stood at my side as the heavy doors opened.We hadn’t been inside the main hall for five minutes before I turned to Kael.“Set up a meeting with the council. Now.”Kael didn’t hesitate. He nodded once and slipped out the corridor without a word.An hour later, the great chamber doors opened.Every member of the Dominion council stood or sat stiffly in their appointed seats—lined in gold, trimmed in pride. Some of them tried not to look surprised. Others stared at me like I’d returned from the g
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 127
He didn’t rise.Didn’t speak again.He just stayed there, silent on the floor, as I turned and walked away.I hadn’t spoken to Daniel since everything happened. And I knew I had no right to expect anything now.Still, I pressed call.He picked up after two rings.“Bella?”His tone was flat. Cold.“Daniel, I need to talk to you. Can you come to my penthouse?”Silence.Then: “You’ve got to be kidding me.”I blinked. “What?”“You ignore my calls for months. You vanish. You ghost me. You ghost him. And now you’re calling out of nowhere like nothing happened?”I closed my eyes. “I know—”“No, you don’t,” he snapped. “Do you know how many times I tried reaching out to you after Jesse disappeared? I thought maybe you were hurting too. I thought maybe we could piece something together—anything. But you disappeared.”“Daniel—”“Do you know what it felt like watching the engagement headlines?” he said, voice rising. “First yours. Then his. You left. And now you want what? My help? My loyalty?”
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 126
An hour passed.I didn’t expect a reply.But then… my phone buzzed.Anna.Tell me more.I glanced around, made sure I was alone, and began typing.I told her everything.The call with Kael. The research into her father’s empire. The theory about memory drugs. Bella’s plan to act.I sent it all.There was a pause.Then:Thank you.That was it.Just two words.But they felt like a knife twisting between guilt and satisfaction.Bella’s POVTwo days after I told Kael to dig into Anna’s background, I got a message.It wasn’t anonymous. It wasn’t a threat.It was a polite request.From Anna.Let’s meet. There’s a café nearby. Let’s talk.I stared at the screen for a while, debating. But I knew I had to go.The café she chose was quiet. I spotted her immediately—sitting at the far end, in a corner seat, tea already waiting.She smiled as I approached, perfectly composed.“Bella,” she said, standing slightly as if we were two old friends meeting for brunch.I didn’t return the greeting. I ju
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 125
Her voice was soft, curious. Almost amused.I didn’t move.She stepped further in, letting the door close behind her.“You really are something,” she said, circling a little. “Daughter of Alaric. I suppose that makes sense.”I narrowed my eyes. “Cut the nonsense. Why did you bring me here?”She smiled again, lips sharp.“You should learn to mind your own business, Bella,” she said. “Why do you think you can just waltz into my wedding and cause a scene?”I didn’t respond.My voice came out cold. Flat. “What did you do to Jesse?”Her smile didn't falter, but her eyes darkened.“He doesn’t even remember me,” I said. “What did you do?”She shrugged lightly. “Maybe he wanted to forget you. Or maybe he’s pretending… because he wants you to go away.”I stepped forward, eyes locked on hers.“No,” I said. “That’s the thing about Jesse. Jesse doesn’t lie. And he definitely wouldn’t just marry someone out of nowhere.”Anna's laugh was light, airy—and full of mockery.Then she tilted her head and
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 124
No goodbye. No message. No explanation. Just headlines and pictures of a life he was about to build without me.Didn’t he love me?Or was everything between us just timing? A moment that was never going to last?Was it because of the photos with Julius?Had he seen them? Had he assumed the worst and moved on?Or was this marriage something else entirely—a lie to protect something bigger?I couldn’t stop asking the questions.I couldn’t stop seeing his face.I couldn’t stop missing him.The morning of the wedding arrived.I sat in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection like I was waiting for it to speak for me.It didn’t.I stood, my hands clenched into fists.No.I wasn’t going to sit here while Jesse married someone else. Not without hearing the truth from him. Not without standing in front of him one last time and saying what I should’ve said long ago.No, I won’t allow that to happen.I pulled on a dark blue dress—elegant, simple, not flashy.I didn’t want to be seen.I want
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 123
“…Understood. Do you want to see the child? Just once?”I said nothing.He cleared his throat gently. “He has beautiful brown hair. And his eyes… I’ve never seen anything like them. Gold. Like—sunlight and fire. Rare.”I closed my eyes.For a moment, I felt something strange flicker in my chest.Not guilt.Just… a ripple of something I couldn’t name.Then I exhaled.“No. Just put him there.”Vin’s voice was quieter now. “Yes, sir.”I kept the burner phone back inside my secret compartment then laid back on the bed relived. Bella’s POVI had stayed with Julius for a few days.But my heart remained empty.Every time he smiled at me, I felt like I was watching a stranger try to wear the face of someone I used to know. And worse than the emptiness… was the ache I couldn’t silence.Jesse.I walked out to the balcony as the evening light spilled across the skyline and pulled out my phone again. The screen lit up. No new messages.Just silence.I exhaled sharply and dialed the one number t
Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 122
My breath steadied. My eyes cleared.There was no more time to waste.I reached for the emergency phone hidden in the drawer by the bed and dialed a direct line.“Vin.”My personal guard answered within a single ring. “Sir.”“There’s a woman coming. Possibly today. Pregnant. Her name is Athena.” My voice dropped into a low command. “If she shows up at the estate or near it—I don’t want Bella to see her. Or hear her. Or know.”Vin was silent for a moment. “Understood.”“Lock her in the lower security post. Restrain her. Tie her mouth if you have to. No one, and I mean no one, is to interact with her except you.”“Yes, sir.”I stood from the bed, pacing now, blood still hot with panic disguised as resolve.**“Once she’s locked in, call me immediately. If I cough after answering—**even once—it means I’m not alone and you can’t speak. If I answer and say nothing, it means you’re clear to talk. Got it?”“Crystal clear.”I tightened my grip around the phone. “Good.”He hung up.If Athena sh
