Chapter 11
Jake’s company’s financial holes collapsed like a moth eaten web under Riley’s vindictive manipulation.
She’d mixed company accounts with Jake’s personal funds, forged transfers coiling around his throat like venomous
snakes.
Overnight, the board turned, headlines screaming Jake’s embezzlement scandals.
“Was it you?”
Jake kicked open Riley’s office door, eyes blood–red like a cornered beast.
Riley calmly painted her nails blood red like congealed gore:
“Didn’t you already suspect me? Why the dramatic entrance now?”
She threw photos showing Jake’s blurry figure entering nightclubs:
“Think your heartbroken act would survive these going public?”
Jake clenched his fists, suddenly sneering: “Think I don’t have backup evidence of your dad’s smuggling operation?”
The air froze. Riley’s nail polish bottle shattered on the floor.
A week later, Riley’s father was arrested for smuggling, family assets frozen.
Jake’s company declared bankruptcy amid audit storms, the once glorious building sealed like an ornate tomb.
Riley dragged her suitcase through airport security, makeup haggard as wilted roses,
He stared at her wrist’s scar–once claimed as “domestic violence“-and laughed bitterly:
“Even hell wouldn’t want trash like you.”
Riley’s pupils contracted as she disappeared into crowds.
Three days later, Southeast Asian news reported a yacht explosion. The recovered passport read “Riley Sterling,”
Miami’s rainy season hit without warning.
Rushing into the studio with design sketches, I found River holding an umbrella at the door.
“Ms. Walsh’s punctuality needs work.”
He smiled, shaking water droplets, glasses fogged.
21:01
bibhor’s OTHER Wife
Chapter 11
Suddenly, a hoarse voice cut through rain:
“Chloe…”
Jake stood soaked at the street corner, expensive suit wrinkled like rags, clutching a faded velvet box.
“I came to keep my promise.”
He trembled opening the box, the diamond ring dull in gray light.
“You said…”
“Your memory’s terrible, Jake.”
I laughed softly, fingers tracing my brooch’s fractures.
“That ring’s promise died when you ran to Riley for the twenty–seventh time.”
“You think some cheap ring erases everything?”
River stepped forward, arm around my shoulders.
“You destroyed her six years. Now you want to crush her last dignity too?”
Jake staggered but stubbornly reached out: “Give me one more chance. I’ll give up everything, just you…”
“1
“You already have nothing left.”
I interrupted calmly.
“Jake, your repentance couldn’t even grow grass on my mother’s grave.”
River pulled out a feather brooch, silver gleaming in rain:
“Recognize this?”
Jake’s pupils shrank–the design from sketches he’d torn up.
“You tore paper,”
River pinned the brooch to my collar.
“But she grew new wings.”
“Enough!”
His last shred of dignity shattered as Jake laughed maniacally:
“Think you won? Deep down she’s still the girl who cooked my ramen! You’re just picking up my leftovers…”
CRACK!
21:01
Just a Stand In?! My Billionaire Hubby’s OTHER Wife…
72.9%
Chapter 11
My slap snapped his head sideways.
I shook my stinging palm, eyes finally showing emotion:
“That’s for insulting my mother’s dying wish.”
Another backhand:
“That’s for trampling six years of my love.”
As I raised my hand again, River caught my trembling wrist:
“Don’t dirty your hands.”
“Throw him out.”
Two security guards dragged Jake away.
River’s arm steadied my shoulders, fingers warm and firm.
“Jake,”
I looked one last time at the rain–soaked figure.
“You’re completely rotten now.”
Three months later, under spotlight, my final ‘Caged Birds‘ collection stunned audiences–shattered wings became golden cloaks as thousands of white doves soared behind me during the finale.
On a moldy TV screen in his cheap apartment, Jake watched surrounded by empty bottles.
When news showed River placing an engagement ring on my finger, he smashed his bottle, glass shards piercing his palm.
“Congratulations…”
He raised cheap liquor to the empty air, blood and alcohol dripping onto Riley’s death certificate.
“We all got what we deserved.”
21:01
Just a Stand In?! My Billionaire Hubby’s OTHER Wife.
73.2%
Chapter 1
Chapter 1