Chapter 13
Ethan had heard the recording.
But when he confronted Selima back then, she cried uncontrollably, still playing the same delicate, vulnerable role.
Even though he had said some harsh words, he still had his doubts.
He had always thought it was just a lie I made up out of jealousy.
It wasn’t until today that he realized… everything was true.
As Selima continued to urge me, Ethan, for once, stood his ground to protect me.
“Rita, don’t listen to her…”
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“It’s just a cat, there are so many reporters here..”
But Jesse was still clutched in her hand.
Was I really supposed to watch him fall to his death?
My knees slowly bent, and Selima’s face broke into a smug grin.
Suddenly!
A gunshot rang out through the ballroom!
The bullet hit Selima squarely in the forehead, and blood splattered instantly.
Her victorious grin still lingered on her face, but her eyes had already lost their light.
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She loosened her grip…
“Jesse!” I screamed, my voice breaking with desperation.
In that split second,
A shadow darted from the shadows, leaping over the railing and shielding Jesse in his arms, crashing heavily onto a table covered in spilled wine.
The room descended into chaos.
I recognized him immediately. It was Lucas, dressed in casual clothes.
I rushed toward him, frantic.
He lay in a pool of blood, handing me Jesse with a weak smile.
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“I protected him.”
And then, he passed out cold.
Afterwards.
I sat by his bed in the hospital, asking him how he had happened to be on the second floor.
He told me.
That day, he had seen Selima sneaking out of my house with Jesse in her arms.
After the conflict with Ethan the night before, he was worried something might happen to Jesse.
So, he secretly followed Selima.
He discovered that she had expertly snuck
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in through the back door of the banquet hall, clearly having planned it all beforehand.
He was relieved that he had followed her, preventing Jesse from getting hurt.
“But you… you broke your leg.”
I looked at his leg, still in a cast, and couldn’t help but feel heartbroken.
“I’m a man. A little injury isn’t much.”
“I know how important Jesse is to you.”
“I couldn’t stand seeing you upset.”
My heart raced, like a wild deer running through my chest.
“I’ll take responsibility.”
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“What did you say?”
My face flushed warm, and when I looked up,
our eyes met.
“I said…”
““I want to be with you.”
That night at the banquet, many celebrities were present, and there were reporters everywhere.
I had thought it would cause quite a stir, even prepared myself to be verbally attacked.
But strangely, the following days passed quietly, not even a news report surfaced.
It wasn’t until later that I found out.
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After we were taken away in the ambulance, it was Ethan who took the initiative to clarify all the rumors.
He took all the blame onto himself.
I was shocked when I heard this.
Because in the past, he would have always told others that I was the one at fault.
On the day Lucas and I got married, he also showed up.
He came backstage and apologized to me.
He said:
“When I saw Lucas fall from the second floor while protecting Jesse, I finally understood the difference between him and me.”
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“I used to be so arrogant, and everything I valued, he never cared about. I hurt you, and in the end, I hurt Selima too.”
“So now, the only thing I can do is leave your world and never disturb you again.”
Before he left, he told me, “I wish you happiness, and I mean it.”
Lucas and I held hands tightly.
We looked at Jesse, fast asleep under the table, and smiled at each other.
We would be happy.
The End.
Book 3: I’m Just a Substitute For My Husband’s Lover
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Suddenly, a stranger added me, and the verification message read, “Your husband has always loved me; you’re just a substitute for me.”
I thought it was some kind of prank, but for reasons I couldn’t explain, I clicked to accept the request.
Once I did, I saw her provocative words appear on the screen.
“I’m back. It’s time for you, the substitute, to step aside.”
I stared at the message, dumbfounded. My husband loved me with all his heart–how could I possibly be a substitute for anyone?
As message after message poured in, I found myself losing the courage to open them.
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