Semua Bab Sold Myself to My Husband’s Rival: Bab 101 - Bab 110

Jesse’s POV Bella 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.

The heavy door shut with a hollow, final thud.And then I was alone.Tears welled in my eyes, finally slipping down my cheeks. I didn’t sob—I couldn’t even move. I just sat there, trembling, cold, and confused.Because I didn’t recognize him. His build, his eyes, his scent—none of it was familiar.This wasn’t a face from my past.This wasn’t someone Jesse had warned me about.This wasn’t even someone who wanted money or fame.This… felt different.Calculated. Clean. Like I was just a piece in something bigger.And that terrified me more than anything.But one thing kept me grounded—kept me from breaking completely.Jesse.If there was one man in this world who would tear it apart to find me, it was him.And if whoever kidnapped me had any idea what Jesse was capable of… They’d already be running.We soon exited the basement through another corridor—longer, colder, and strangely silent. I didn’t know how many men were around me anymore, but I could hear footsteps echoing in every di

He paced in front of me like a predator circling its prey.“So I contacted Athena,” he continued, with sick satisfaction curling around every syllable. “She was bitter, easy to manipulate. I helped her get close to you, fed her everything she needed to ruin your life from the inside. The false accusations, the prison, the media—all me.”I stared up at him, disgust boiling in my chest.“I was going to kill you in that prison,” he admitted, voice low. “But someone saved you. Just like before. You disappeared again. And when I finally found you…” he trailed off, smiling bitterly behind his mask. “You were under Jesse’s protection. Fortified. Untouchable.”His eyes narrowed. “I couldn’t get to you. Not until now.”He crouched to my level, his breath a disgusting whisper.“I was going to kill you tonight, Bella. Just end it. But then I realized… I needed the seal more than your death. So I’ll take it from you first… and then, you can die.”My heart was pounding, but I forced my voice to st

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. A burden.”She circled back and stopped above me.Then she raised her heel—And slammed it down on my injured leg.I screamed, my back arching off the floor as agony ripped through my body.She crouched again, her hand curling around my chin and forcing me to look at her.“You scream so beautifully,” she whispered. “But not as loud as you will.”She let go and took something from her pocket. A small blade—thin, sharp, elegant.“I was hoping he’d let me have my own fun,” she said, inspecting the knife. “And tonight… he finally did.”She dragged the blade slowly across my forearm—not deep, but deliberate.I gritted my teeth, trying not to give her the satisfaction.Another cut. Across my sho

I shattered her chains with a bolt cutter, caught her as she collapsed into me.Her body was too light. Too fragile. Every part of her had been hurt.But she was alive.I held her tightly, one arm around her back, the other gripping my gun.“We’re going home.”Comm crackled.“Target sighted! The masked man—he’s on the rooftop—repeat, rooftop. Evac route.”I looked up.No time.I turned to Marcus through the mic. “Don’t let him out of your sight. But do not risk Bella’s life.”“Copy that.”I swept her into my arms. She didn’t resist.Her head rested against my chest. Her fingers curled into my shirt like she didn’t believe I was real.But I was.And I was taking her out of this hell.On the rooftopExplosions lit the night sky.I made it halfway to the chopper when Marcus’s voice came through again.“Sir, the masked man—escaped. He had a tunnel rigged to the rooftop. He’s gone.”I clenched my jaw, every muscle in my body begging me to turn back and hunt him.But Bella whimpered against