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Seventy Nine
Last Updated:
2025-04-23 20:11:31
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Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 80
Jesse's POVJulius. Oh, Julius.I wasn’t going to destroy him quickly—no, that would be far too merciful. A man like him, who wore arrogance like cologne, needed something slower. Something precise. I wanted him to feel the unraveling before it ever reached him. I wanted him to watch his empire rot from the inside out, powerless to stop it.So I started where it would hurt the most.Not with his company.With his friends.Nelson Hargrove and Arnold Dane. His golden boys. His day-one circle. His “brothers.” They had built the playground with him. Dined in his penthouse. Celebrated victories with champagne on private yachts. And just like him, they had skeletons buried under designer suits.The first one to fall was Nelson.Nelson thought he was clever. A quiet little laundering operation through a subsidiary of his father’s logistics company. Rounded invoices. Fake vendor accounts. Padded expense reports. It wasn’t flashy—it was discreet. Boring, even. But to me, boring was beautiful.
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 81
Julius PovI slammed my fist against the table, jaw tight. In just one day, both of my closest allies—Nelson and Arnold—were dragged into the dirt. Not even twenty-four hours had passed, and it was already making headlines.Nelson. Arrested for embezzlement. My CFO. My right hand for almost a decade.And Arnold... Arnold had always been reckless, but this time Jesse lit the match. Exposed him publicly for cheating on Diana—daughter of Senator Ward. And not just cheating. Recorded calls. Leaked hotel check-ins. Even a damn voice memo of him saying Diana was “just a means to get closer to power.”The media went insane.Paul.“Paul!” I shouted, standing from my chair.He ran in within seconds, adjusting his glasses, sweating like a dog. “Yes, sir?”“Tell me you’ve talked to the media houses.”“I have, sir. I offered deals to every major outlet. Exclusive access, partnerships, financial coverage... They all refused.”“What?” I stared at him. “Refused? Who the hell refuses that kind of mon
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 82
Julius POVMy phone rang just moments after Jesse’s call ended. I saw the name flash on the screen and felt my chest tighten.Grandfather.I braced myself before answering."You brat!" his voice barked the moment I picked up. "I’m at your penthouse. Come back home this instant!"My heart skipped. I straightened my shoulders instinctively, quickly adjusting my tone and energy. He couldn’t find out what was going on. Not now. His health was fragile, and even the smallest amount of stress could be fatal."I’m on my way, Grandfather," I said quickly.By the time I reached the penthouse, he was already seated in the living room like a king on his throne. Despite his age and health, he still had the kind of presence that could silence a room."Grandfather," I greeted, forcing a lightness into my voice. "You're here."He gave me a stern look. "Of course I’m here. Where is Bella? Has she still not forgiven you?"I looked down. "No… not yet."He shook his head with a sigh. "You need to try har
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 83
Julius's POVI waited anxiously for my grandfather to return home. The weight of recent events pressed heavily on my shoulders, and I hoped his meeting with Bella had gone well.Soon after, he arrived."What did she say?" I asked, trying to mask the urgency in my voice.He sighed, settling into his favorite chair. "She looks unhappy. She tried to cover it up, but I could see it. I don't know what's happening with her right now, but you need to work harder to win her heart back.""Okay, Grandfather," I replied, nodding solemnly.He fixed me with a stern gaze. "If you don't, I will disown you.""Yes, Grandfather. I won't make the same mistake again."He leaned back, fatigue evident in his posture. "Alright. I'm feeling tired. I'll go rest now. Is my room prepared?""Yes, Grandpa."He gave a slight nod. "Good. You're not entirely useless."A few days passed without any moves from Jesse. However, he still hadn't released Paul, which made me nervous. I tried to reassure myself tha
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 84
I’d had enough of Jesse standing above everyone like some untouchable god. If he wanted war, I would give him one.I released everything.Every hidden file. Every photo. Every shred of evidence that tied him to the death of his sister. The world needed to know what kind of man he really was. A murderer—convicted, jailed, and now hiding behind a polished image and immense wealth. I didn’t stop there. I made sure the media got photos of his time in prison, grainy but damning. Let the public chew on that.And since Bella wasn’t living with him anymore, I fed that to the media too—his own fiancée abandoning him after discovering the truth. I wanted the world to doubt every word that ever came out of his mouth. I wanted his empire to bleed the way mine had.It worked—for a while.The headlines blew up. Stockholders panicked. The internet exploded.But then, one by one, the articles disappeared. Links went dead. Journalists retracted statements. Videos and photos vanished without a trace. I
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 85
Bella — POVI called Jesse the moment I left the hospital. I didn’t think he’d pick up. Honestly, I thought he’d blocked me.But he didn’t.He answered on the first ring.My breath caught. “Um… Jesse, can we—can we talk? In person?”There was a beat of silence, then his voice, calm and unreadable. “Should I come to you, or are you coming to me?”“I’ll come to you,” I said quickly.I hung up before I lost my nerve. My fingers trembled as I hailed a taxi, my thoughts spiraling the entire ride to his penthouse. By the time I stepped into the elevator, I wasn’t even sure what I was going to say anymore. Apologize? Explain? Beg?When the door opened and I stepped inside, Jesse was already there, standing by the window, arms folded. The city lights cast shadows across his face, making it hard to read him.“Jesse,” I started, my voice barely a whisper. “I… I—”The words tangled in my throat.His voice cut through the silence, low and sharp. “Did you collaborate with Julius to release that st
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 86
Jesse povAfter Bella walked out, something cold settled inside me. I didn’t move from where I stood. I just stared at the door, wondering when the hell everything had gone so sideways.She thought I did it.She thought I had something to do with Julius’s grandfather’s heart attack.I hadn’t even done anything to him yet. If that old man think he can escape by having a heart attack, he’s got another thing coming. I dialed a direct line to one of my oldest contacts at BBC. He owed me a favor—a big one.“Mr. Morgan,” the voice on the other end answered quickly, a little too eager.“I want you to release the file we discussed,” I said, my voice cold and controlled. “Full story. All of it. Names, locations. Everything that ties Julius Hartman to my sister’s death.”“Are you sure?” he asked cautiously. “This is... substantial.”“I don’t stutter. Do it.”I ended the call and sent the encrypted file within minutes. Photos. Forensics. Eyewitness accounts Julius had long thought buried.An ho
Last Updated : 2025-04-23Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival 87
“So you never loved Bella?”The question cut through the air like a blade.Julius’s voice rang out behind me, bitter and loud, as if he wanted the entire world to hear it. I stopped walking, my hands curling into fists at my sides.“She was just another part of your revenge, wasn’t she?” he continued, tone mocking, smug. “Another move in your little game?”Before I could respond, I saw movement at the side entrance. My chest clenched when I spotted her—Bella. She was standing there, frozen in place like a ghost who had heard too much too soon.Her eyes met mine, wide and wounded.And just like that, the words came out of my mouth like poison I couldn't stop.“Yes,” I said flatly. “She was just a tool.”The moment the words left my lips, something in her face broke.I turned and walked away before I could see more.I didn’t mean it.God, I didn’t mean it.But the way she was standing beside him—beside Julius—looking at me like I was the villain in her story... it tore me apart. Was she
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
