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Chapter Thirteen

Auteur: Plot twister
last update Date de publication: 2025-03-14 01:13:03
Jesse had stepped out for some business, leaving me alone in the hospital room. I glanced around, taking in the luxurious surroundings. The soft glow of warm lighting, the fresh scent of flowers, the high-end furniture—this place truly lived up to its reputation as the best hospital in the country.

Still, I was bored.

Getting injured had never been part of my plan. I groaned in frustration.

Just as I was beginning to lose myself in my thoughts, the door opened, and Jesse walked back in.

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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   107

    Her hand snapped across my cheek.The pain was sharp, but I didn’t flinch.She stood again and paced.“You’re so proud. So strong. Do you think Jesse’s coming?” she asked mockingly. “You think someone’s going to find you? He’s probably already forgotten you. You’re old news, sweetheart. A liability

    last updateDernière mise à jour : 2026-03-30
  • Sold 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 ob

    last updateDernière mise à jour : 2026-03-29
  • Sold 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.

    last updateDernière mise à jour : 2026-03-29
  • Sold 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 e

    last updateDernière mise à jour : 2026-03-29
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