All Chapters of Charmed By A Rival: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

“You need to accomplish something today, Isabella. You’ve been in bed for days,” she whispered to herself as she dragged herself toward the bathroom for a shower.After two days of rest—wrecked by Zachary’s passionate assault—Bella decided it was time to leave her hotel room. She had spent the entire stretch sleeping, eating whatever room service delivered, and she had to admit, whoever designed the meal plan had exceptional taste and an almost clinical understanding of what would help a body recover fastest.She finished a long, warm bath with the bath bombs Zachary had left for her and felt utterly refreshed. While dressing, she took her time, casually scrolling through her phone. Her finger froze on one particular post:'CEO Vergara to celebrate Miss Dawn Diaz’s birthday at his multimillion-dollar lakeside villa.'“Oh, I almost forgot about this,” Bella murmured, a small smile playing on her lips as she stared at the screen. “Looks like there’s a birthday party on the schedule.”S

"Banks are reassessing K-Line’s credit"Every member of the executive board was already seated when Ralph entered. His expression was grim as he dropped a thick financial report onto the table.The room fell silent. The atmosphere inside the K-Line boardroom was tense.Director Waltz adjusted his glasses and scanned the figures in front of him.“As expected,” Waltz said, his tone edged with displeasure.Ralph glared at him, pulled out the chair at the head of the table, and sat down.“This is not the time for a blame game. We need to secure additional funding within the next thirty days, or several of our overseas operations will have to be suspended.”A murmur went around the room.“K-Line has never faced a problem like this,” one of the directors said. “News that several of our major contracts have been terminated has already spread like wildfire.”Ralph’s gaze shifted to Dawn, seated beside him, her hands folded on the table.“The cancellations were unexpected,” Dawn said quickly.

“Okay, Brother… I’ll come home for Dad’s birthday.” Isabella forced a bright smile, trying to sound as cheerful as she could.Keaton’s expression darkened. “You look thinner, Isah. And those dark circles under your eyes don’t sit well with me. If you don’t want Mom and Dad finding out what you’ve been up to these past two years, you’ll come home.”His voice sharpened, but the concern underneath was unmistakable.“There’s nothing left for you in that city,” he continued. “I’ve already sent my men to handle the company. Just come home. I’m running out of excuses to give Mom about where you are.”Even though irritation edged his tone, the tenderness in his eyes as he looked at her through the screen was impossible to miss.Isabella exhaled softly. “I’ll come home soon, Keaton. Don’t worry.” A faint smile touched her lips.Another figure stepped into the frame beside Keaton.“I can't wait to see you again, Isah.” Eleazar’s voice was calm but firm. “That Vergara man doesn’t deserve you

After returning to the hotel, Bella sank into the center of the room, swallowed by a silence so absolute it felt suffocating. The quiet pressed against her eardrums, heavy and accusing. Her mind was a wreckage of half-formed thoughts and unbearable fears.She stared at the blank wall opposite her, eyes unfocused, as if the pale surface might somehow offer an answer she did not know how to ask for.Slowly, almost reverently, she looked down. Her hand drifted to her stomach and rested there, protective, trembling.“So you are really here,” she whispered. The words barely made a sound. “I am capable of carrying you. Against every fear, I have been given this chance to be your mother.”A soft, disbelieving laugh escaped her—half wonder, half terror. She had felt the faint, stubborn presence of the child for weeks, yet only now did the truth settle into her bones. She had been so afraid. Afraid of what it meant. Afraid of what it would cost.“I’m sorry,” she breathed, voice cracking. “M

“We’re here to take you to the airport, Miss Conti. The private jet is waiting, and we have clearance to depart in an hour.”The words hit Bella the moment she opened the door. The man stood there in the crisp dark suit of Conti staff, expression politely blank. Whatever fragile hope had been rising in her chest only moments earlier collapsed at once, leaving a hollow ache in her heart.She forced a small, practiced smile. “Yes. I’m ready.”Turning away, she gathered the last of her things with careful, automatic movements. The suite that had been hers for more than two months suddenly felt too quiet, too final. She followed the staff member down the hall and into the waiting car without another word.Inside the vehicle she sat stiffly, one hand resting against the cool glass as the hotel receded behind them. Her eyes stayed fixed on the entrance, searching, hoping. Just once more. Just one familiar figure stepping through those doors.But the massive structure—the place that had been