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Architect Cora Spade marries Axel Jaeger for love, a man who claims to be drowning in debt. He tells her his startup has failed, so she leaves for Auchendale on a long-term assignment. For three years, amid the war and plagues, she works tirelessly and pays off his debt totaling in the millions with blueprint after blueprint.But on the night Cora returns, she uncovers the truth—the so-called "debt" is nothing but a lie and a test of her loyalty. Back in Chremford, Axel has a new lover in his arms, and even their five-year-old son sees the other woman as his mother.Worse still, their marriage certificate turns out to be forged.Without hesitation, Cora dials a number she's buried for decades. And when they meet again, she's transformed into the heir of an elite, powerful family everyone clamors to please.Now plunged into crisis, Axel kneels among fragments of his shattered dignity and begs for her forgiveness.All Cora does is respond with a gentle smile. "Pulling the plug on your funding was just the appetizer, Mr. Jaeger. Enjoy the real feast ahead." 


On the day of our wedding, Justin had someone take off my wedding dress. He wanted to personally put it on my younger stepsister. He cut me an icy look, claiming, "I'll make you my wife, but my love belongs to Felicia. We'll get our marriage license after the wedding."The people around us laughed. They made a bet that I wouldn't wait around for Justin like I had before, considering that I had been holding on for five years to keep the engagement.Yet, the moment I left the church, I made a call. "Elizabeth, about your proposition the other day? It's a yes from me."…That night, I took a private jet and flew to my new home.From that moment on, my world was completely cut off from Justin's.…After not seeing him in five years, I ran into him when I attended a banquet with my daughter. The moment he sees my daughter in my arms, he gives us a humorless smile."So, you've come crawling back after five years. Why not put the child under Felicia's care from now on? I might just let her call me 'Dad'," he commented in a sneer.He had no idea the child wasn't his. 



Simply for touching the bespoke suit of the richest man's son, Horace's mother had her hands and feet broken and was thrown into the sea, where she drowned. On the day he sued the arrogant Master in court, the latter was acquitted. This was because the lawyer who defended him was Amanda, the founder of City Rock's unparalleled law firm and was also Horace's wife. At the end of the trial, the elegant and beautiful woman left the defendant's bench and placed an “apology letter” in front of Horace. “Horace, sign it. You don't want to be sued for defamation and sent to prison, do you?” Her tone was gentle and persuasive, but the gaze hidden behind her gold-rimmed glasses was sharp as ice. Horace glared at her stubbornly, his voice trembling: “Why, Amanda?” He couldn't understand... 
Oliver Jefferson, the king of the business world, vows not to marry. But one day, a new chapter of his life begins when he's forced to marry a younger wife!"Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Jefferson trashed the Westwood residence."Oliver asks, "Does she feel better now?""No…""Send a few people over to help her, then."…"Mr. Jefferson, Mrs. Jefferson got into a fight with someone and landed them in the hospital."Oliver asks, "Is she happy with that?""No…"He continues with his work. "Let her continue, then."…One day, when Oliver finds that his wife has gotten into another fight, he flies into a rage. "You're asking for it, Grace!"Grace Gulliver complains, "You weren't like this in the past, hubby!"He points at her stomach. "You weren't pregnant before, were you?"The nerve of her, getting into a fight when she's seven months pregnant! It scares the living daylights out of her opponent and also Oliver, yet she's delighted that she's managed to win a fight without even lifting a finger! 

When Emelie Hoven was hopelessly in love with William Middleton, she almost ended up losing her life. But to William, she was only someone convenient who he thought couldn't live without him.And so, she decided to stop loving him.William didn't like that Emelie was too calm, too rational, and too independent. Later, his wish came true—he got to see her relying on someone and being gentle.He wasn't the recipient, though.On the day of Emelie's wedding, she smiles brightly as she sits on a chair and waits for her groom and his groomsmen to pass the test she and her bridesmaids have set up for them. The atmosphere is lively. Suddenly, William shows up out of nowhere.He gets on one knee before her and holds her hands, looking like he's almost worshipping her. "Leave him, please. Come with me. You loved me first, didn't you?" 
"Will you take me to be your wife, Mr. Lu?""Sure, but I won't love you."These were the words Elizabeth Liang got from James Lu after they slept together and had a crazy night.Set up by her cousin, Elizabeth would've been sent to an old man as a gift, but she misread the room number and had a one night with the hot CEO James. Elizabeth wanted to query her cousin, but she caught her fiance and cousin on the bed. The truth was revealed to all.In desperation, Elizabeth proposed to James to escape from her family. To her surprise, James agreed. They started a titular marriage, but James and Elizabeth gradually fell in love with each other. When she thought they would have a happy ending, she saw James secretly meeting a woman. Finally, she found out why he agreed to marry her... 
Katherine Wright has a two-faced boyfriend. During the day, he is thoughtful, sweet, and a complete gentleman. However, once the sun sets, he turns into a completely different man. At night, he behaves like a feral beast, pursuing his desires in ever-changing ways.
Everyone calls her a lucky woman. She is deaf, but her boyfriend has never shunned her because of her disability. On top of that, he's even trying to help her find a cure.
Katherine thinks she is lucky to have him too. But one day, a robber steals the specially made medicine her boyfriend had given her to treat her deafness. Because of this, she stops taking the medicine.
Just as she is about to break the news to her boyfriend, she overhears his friend say, "You and your brother sure know how to have fun! One of you plays with her heart during the day, while the other toys with her body at night. It's been three years—I can't believe that deaf woman is still completely unaware of this!"
Hearing this, Katherine's blood runs cold. 
In a world where fairness should reign, injustice often holds sway. It's a place where the innocent suffer, where hard work doesn't always lead to success, and where privilege trumps merit. It's a world that can break hearts, crush dreams, and leave scars that never fully heal. Yet, amidst the darkness, there's still hope – hope for change, for empathy, and for a future where fairness isn't just a distant ideal, but a lived reality for all.But maybe that's not for me. After exchanging the rings I heaved a sigh of relief thinking that could be true, maybe there's truly hope somewhere." You may now kiss the bride", the priest permitted.Every step he took towards me made me feel nervous, my heart pounding as fast as it could, and slowly he lifted my veil. I could bet I saw a smile for a second but it was immediately replaced with that of disgust on seeing me and he nearly puked.I thought this would be the beginning of dreams and not a nightmare but this would even be my worst nightmare. Wedding days are supposed to be the happiest days right? But that's not the case for me. Who said this world was ever fair? That was a big lie, if it is, to what extent? 

In the third year of their marriage, Lynette Sterling and Zachary Wright have their worst fight yet.
On their wedding anniversary, Lynette presents forensic evidence of non-consensual intercourse and reports Zachary to the authorities. "I'm reporting my husband for forcing himself on me," she tells the police.
At the police station, Zachary remains the picture of composure in a tailored suit, his fingertips still faintly stained red. Even in custody, he carries the cold weight of a man who owns the room.
An officer approaches, casting an uneasy look at the legal predator looming nearby. "Mr. Wright, how would you like to handle this?"
Lynette's heart sinks. They aren't asking how to deal with Zachary; they are asking Zachary how he wants to deal with her.
Zachary lifts a brow, a captivating yet dark smile playing on his lips. He hooks a finger under Lynette's chin, his voice a low purr.
"Nettie, you really didn't hold back on trying to destroy me. But how can you tell such a bold lie? You weren't this heartless before. You used to do everything you could to match my freak in bed." 
“Do you know how many nights I’ve thought about those? How I imagined sliding your dress up and seeing you in them… in my room, or my office… gagged so you wouldn’t scream my name?”
“Say the word, Renata,” he whispered, voice rough. “And I’ll have you right here… where anyone could knock. Where you could get caught with your husband’s father’s cock inside you.”
She gasped.
But she didn’t say no.
********
One reckless night. A stranger’s touch. Her ruin.
The night before her wedding, Renata surrendered to a man whose name she didn’t know… A man who made her tremble, moan, and beg for more in the shadows.
The next morning, he was at the wedding hall too…Watching her walk down the aisle to his son.
Domingo Serrano.
Powerful. Predatory. Possessive.
And he’s not done with her.
He wants her again. And again.
Once a week. No excuses. No escape.
But Renata isn’t just drowning in lust and shame.
She’s chasing answers. Her parents were murdered under the guise of an auto accident. The killer is hiding behind the walls of the Hidalgo empire.
Santiago, her charming husband, has secrets.
Lady Constanza, his mother, wears lies like pearls.
And Domingo? He’s the darkest of them all.
Now Renata’s playing with fire, and carrying a secret that could burn everyone:
She’s pregnant.
And she doesn’t know if the father is her husband… or his father. 

Lucille was one of the most skilled female assassins, and on the previous night, she embarked on a top-secret mission. However, the mission's details were leaked, leading to her untimely demise at the hands of a traitorous companion. She never discovered the identity of the person who betrayed her before her death. But by some miracle, she was granted a new life, and was reborn as a girl with the same name. Determined to uncover the truth and seek revenge for her family, Lucille seized her second chance at life. She planned to avenge her loved ones. However, her plans were complicated by Joseph, an apparently frail man who was actually skilled in martial arts. And he seemed to fall for her deeply, now this newfound knowledge only added to the complications of Lucille's revenge plan... 
Driven by love, Evolet, a weak Omega, joins the Luna's hunt to be with the Alpha who stole her first kiss. She does this against her mother's order, hoping her best friend, Fiona, would keep this a secret. But her trust is broken when Fiona reveals her devilish side, causing a rift between Evolet and her mother. She reveals her true desire to be the Alpha's Luna, mocking Evolet's inability to summon her wolf. Her words got to a desperate Evolet, who feels scared and ends up doing something she has never done before. She strikes a deal with the pack's enemy, a pervy rogue with a strange wolf ability, to become her wolf for the game.***"Do you know what you're saying? You want me to be your wolf?""Yes, I do. I... I want you. Please, be my wolf."**** Will Evolet succeed and defeat Fiona?* Is she doing the right thing by going against her mother's order and joining this hunt for the sake of a man?* What if she's wrong about the Alpha and the Royal Family?* What if the rogue isn't just her wolf... But more than that?Find out now. 

My ex-boyfriend, Jason Bell, still hasn't let go of me, even though I've been married to Cedric Mosley for two years now.
He sends blood-red dancing heels to me and threatens to destroy my current "peaceful life".
Terrified and trembling, I'm about to call the cops when a hand in latex gloves rests on my shoulder.
"Don't be afraid."
My forensic doctor husband, having just returned from an autopsy, carries a faint scent of formaldehyde with him.
He takes off his glasses. With the same hands he uses to handle scalpels, he slowly helps me open the threatening letter inside the package.
"The handwriting is sloppy, with uneven pressure applied. It's typical of an anxious personality type."
Then, as if he's reviewing an autopsy report, he comments mildly, "This type of person usually has brittle bones that snap easily."
*
There are 206 bones in an adult body.
When Cedric placed a “rib” ring on my finger, he whispered, “You are the bone I lost long ago—the one that makes me whole.”
That is the origin of this title. 




Three years ago, billionaire Theodore Chambers handed Victoria Ellis divorce papers with cold eyes and colder words—all for the sake of his first love, Isabella Waters.Victoria didn't cry. She didn't beg.She simply signed her name, walked out of that golden cage, and disappeared from the world of the rich.What the world didn't expect…Was for the discarded ex-wife to rise from the ashes—not as a socialite, but as the world's most sought-after reconstructive mortician. Behind every high-profile crime scene and closed casket, she was the one restoring dignity to the dead—and building a name powerful enough to shake law enforcement and the elite alike.Now, at a funeral of all places, their paths cross again.She stands beside another man, radiant, untouchable.He watches in disbelief—his ex-wife, no longer his."You handle corpses every day. Aren't you afraid of bad luck?" he growls, grabbing her wrist.She smiles coldly."In my heart, the grass over your grave has already grown two meters tall."But fate has one final card to play.When Victoria finds Theodore lying in a pool of blood, clutching an old photo of her, everything unravels.Was it too late after all?Or is love just another body she's not willing to reconstruct? 





I, the best thief in my line of work, am being hunted down by a Don, whom I've never met before, on the Internet.
My crime? Well, I've turned down his wedding proposal, so there's that.
In order to get revenge on him, I end up stealing his most prized possession.
After that, I hit up a nightclub and book the services of the ace escort, who also charges the highest rates. That night, we spend moments of passion together in bed.
The next day, I'm about to get out of bed and leave when the escort stops me.
"You've already accepted my prized possession and used me for a test run. Are you satisfied with the results?" 


I am Loraine Windrug, the most eligible bachelorette on this continent, every man competes for exclusive rights to me. My bank account is loaded, I even own more cars than I can drive, my multimillion-dollar mansion has every convenience imaginable.
Men long for me, either for their guaranteed business success after a date with me or as hunters because of my reputation as an elusive billionaire. Love is written all over me, everything I touch turns to gold, every party I go is a success, every commercial event I attend turns into a blockbuster. But I only date a handful of hotly singles with whom I share a secret friends-with-benefits relationship, satisfying my freaky side with wild, kinky sex. But I never trade my virginity.
And then comes that inescapable moment when I fall hard on that one man who is far beyond my reach. Dordrich Fellogan; is a billionaire media mogul, but sadly enough, married. His wife Elena and his children adore him.
Yet I pursue him, had him deep inside, but cannot keep him. His love is not mine. After one of my evil jealous ex-lovers hints his wife, she catches us red-handed in the act, started an embarrassing scene, I flee from his life.
Five years later, when he is left a broken, bankrupt man, I return. I face him as a business partner. I own almost all the shares of his company. His wife abandoned him at the lowest point of his life, his future is now in my hands. I reinstate his media chain, drive him crazy with lust, but keep him out of my bed. When Elena wants him back, he’s to decide between Elena and me. But I am true love, desirable, unforgettable and more. The triumph card is with me… 

Three years ago, Evelyn Blackwell was a wolf-less Omega, betrayed, rejected, and cast out of the Bloodbane Pack.She walked away with nothing but her unborn daughter and the ashes of a bond she once believed in.Now she's back.Not as someone's Luna, but as the founder of a medical empire, a world-renowned doctor,And the fiercely protective mother of a bright, wolf-less little girl.Her ex-mate, Alpha Calvin Wolfe, expected her to fade into obscurity.But the moment he sees her again, confident, radiant, and entirely out of reach, he knows he made the biggest mistake of his life.She doesn't want his apology.She doesn't want his pack.And she sure as hell doesn't want his pity.He falls to his knees, remorse all over his face."Evelyn, I love you. Can we get back together?"She scoffs,"Alpha Calvin, the cheater, you're not so sweet anymore."Her twin sons drop to their knees,"Mom, we only want you!"Evelyn waves them off,"No thanks, I already have an adorable daughter now." 
Rebirth. Revenge. Romance.
In her past life, Delia was blind to love. Betrayed by her cousin and ex, she discarded her "crippled" husband Curtis-only to die disfigured and alone.
Now she's back.
This time, she tears up the divorce papers and clings to Curtis's side-only to discover he's not weak at all. In fact, when he rises from his wheelchair, the world bows.
"You're mine-body and soul," he growls, his voice like velvet and steel.
She's the one seducing him now-until he's addicted, crazed, and can't live without her.
She'll crush her enemies, reclaim everything they stole, and love the man who once gave her the world.
This time, she'll give him back everything-and more. 
Being second best is practically in my DNA. My sister got the love, the attention, the spotlight. And now, even her damn fiancé.Technically, Rhys Granger was my fiancé now—billionaire, devastatingly hot, and a walking Wall Street wet dream. My parents shoved me into the engagement after Catherine disappeared, and honestly? I didn’t mind. I’d crushed on Rhys for years. This was my chance, right? My turn to be the chosen one?Wrong.One night, he slapped me. Over a mug. A stupid, chipped, ugly mug my sister gave him years ago. That’s when it hit me—he didn’t love me. He didn’t even see me. I was just a warm-bodied placeholder for the woman he actually wanted. And apparently, I wasn’t even worth as much as a glorified coffee cup.So I slapped him right back, dumped his ass, and prepared for disaster—my parents losing their minds, Rhys throwing a billionaire tantrum, his terrifying family plotting my untimely demise.Obviously, I needed alcohol. A lot of alcohol.Enter him.Tall, dangerous, unfairly hot. The kind of man who makes you want to sin just by existing. I’d met him only once before, and that night, he just happened to be at the same bar as my drunk, self-pitying self. So I did the only logical thing: I dragged him into a hotel room and ripped off his clothes.It was reckless. It was stupid. It was completely ill-advised.But it was also: Best. Sex. Of. My. Life.And, as it turned out, the best decision I’d ever made.Because my one-night stand isn’t just some random guy. He’s richer than Rhys, more powerful than my entire family, and definitely more dangerous than I should be playing with.And now, he’s not letting me go. 
She was always the good girl. Until heartbreak made her reckless.
Elena Sinclair thought marriage meant forever.
But five years in, her “forever” has become a gilded cage of pain and betrayal.
She’s the wife who couldn’t give him a child. The barren disappointment. And for that, her husband offered her a cruel compromise… an open marriage. One that gave him the right to find someone who could carry his heir.
The next day, he brought a pregnant woman home. The same woman who was first introduced as his cousin.
The humiliation doesn’t end there, his mother lashes out… hurling insults and even fists, while her husband turns a blind eye. Not once has he defended her. Not once has he shown her love. She’s nothing more than a placeholder… a name on a marriage certificate.
The cruelest part? She loved him. She loved him long before the vows, long before the lies… so deeply it blinded her to who he really was.
Now, to make him jealous, she turns to the one man she should never touch: Jaxx Moretti, her husband’s younger brother. The dangerous one. The black sheep of the Sinclair family. The man who once made her high school years hell… and now has every reason to destroy her husband's legacy.
What starts as a twisted game soon ignites into something raw, addictive, and completely forbidden.
But Jaxx isn’t just her escape. He’s everything her husband isn’t. Because the deeper she sinks into Jaxx's bed… The harder it becomes to crawl back out.
Content Warning: This book contains mature themes intended for adult audiences (18+), including explicit sexual content, toxic relationships, manipulation, and emotional trauma. Reader discretion is strongly advised. 
Five years ago, Esther Quill, who was six months pregnant, was sent to prison by her husband, Bradley Warner, himself.Five years later, Esther went to Bradley with a DNA paternity test paper in her hand and tearfully questioned, "Bradley Warner, how does it feel to kill your flesh and blood with your own hands!?"Ten years of secret love in exchange for five years of imprisonment; ten months of pregnancy in exchange for five years of separation from her flesh and blood.After Esther redeemed her sin with her life, Bradley turned white overnight and offered a sky-high reward, desperately searching for his wife and vowing to find her even if he had to overturn the world.The world thought that Bradley loved Esther to death... Only Esther knew that the man had no heart.It was until Esther appeared on the news with her two daughters and son one day.Bradley looked at the woman he had been yearning for and apologized, "Sweetheart, I was wrong!"The three little ones put themselves in front of Esther."Mr. Warner, our mommy is single, and there are too many people who want to be our daddy. Please go to the end of the line!” 


Olivia's heart beats faster as she eyes Nathan across the crowded café. Their love shines like a thousand stars, but it's riddled with secrets. When Nathan cashes out on their relationship with a cold contract, Olivia's world falls apart. And when she was fighting under some horrific illness all by herself, fate had other, different plans for her.Their paths cross once more, and new flames ignite, coupled with renewed hopes. Can they rise above their past mistakes? Olivia painted her way through pain and renewal with each brush stroke. Nathan wrestled his demons into working to become the man that Olivia deserved to have by her side.With tears, laughter, and tender moments in life, they found something: that true love is not about passion; it is growing together, even in shadows. 
On their engagement day, her fiancé cheated with her sister, and pushed her down the stairs even though she was pregnant!Five years later, Charmine Jiang made an impactful return, rooted with a deep hatred for scumbags. She was cold-hearted, ready to fight for the family money, eyed to become a supermodel. She was ready to stun the world.Although she was determined to make her own money for revenge, hordes of men still insisted on helping her, spoiling her.“Who offended my lady? Get the gears ready!”“AK999 ready, I’ve got the scumbags! Dad, Mom, please bring me a little sister!” 
Three years ago, I had my positive cancer diagnosis in one hand as I consoled Anderson Graham, whose eyes were red and teary.
"It's just cancer. I can beat this."
However, he continued crying until he was almost out of breath. He hugged me so tightly that I thought my bones would crack.
"Yvonne, promise me that you'll beat this. I'll wait for you to return so I can marry you!"
In order to live, I had to remove most of my stomach.
Every single day, I was faced with handful after handful of pills and never-ending chemotherapy.
Three years later, I'm finally healed and can return to Anderson's side.
During my return party, his female best friend chuckles as she raises a glass.
"Andy was as celibate as a priest while you were overseas. I kept a close eye on him every single night and made sure nobody else was in his bed.
"I practically tattooed the words 'Do Not Touch' on him to make sure nobody else would go for him!"
The noisy room suddenly becomes so quiet that I can hear a pin drop.
I do my best to ignore the prickling ache coming from my chest.
With an equally bright smile, I raise my glass and reply, "Should I give you an award for keeping his bed occupied, then?" 


Sylvia Reid sells herself off.For ten million dollars, she deliberately gets close to the Kaplan family's only son in Portsham—a man who has sworn off marriage—to bear his child so the Kaplan family's bloodline can continue.After working as his secretary for six months, Sylvia finally takes advantage of the cold-faced workaholic's drunken state to complete the deed.After exerting herself the entire night, she belatedly realizes that she had slept with the wrong target!This man isn't the only son of the Kaplan family, but rather, he was his younger uncle, Arnaud Kaplan. Now, she only has two choices. One, to compensate the Kaplan family an astronomical penalty fee as stated in the contract, or seduce Arnaud's nephew, Tyler Kaplan, right under his nose.At the end of his patience, Arnaud drags her out and pins her against the wall. Sylvia pleads, "Mr. Kaplan, listen to me. I only chose the second option because I'm broke!" 
On the day of her marriage, Maeve Lawson was set up and was sent to prison. After she got out of prison, she got into a shotgun marriage with a driver and intended to live a normal life with him.But unbeknownst to her, the driver was a powerful man who was also her sc*mbag ex’s uncle!Once they got married, Matthew, her husband, carried out his duties as her husband and took care of Maeve and her grandmother. He had no flaws as a husband, but Maeve knew that he did not love her. She originally thought that her normal, peaceful life would continue like this, but, one day, a rumor surfaced in Riverside City. The cold Matthew Stevens had turned into an obsessive, loyal puppy who doted on his wife and loved her to bits. He was absolutely hopeless. The sc*mbag who mocked his wife was sent to Africa. The people who mistreated his wife went bankrupt, lost their jobs, or were sued. They were all destroyed. Then, during a proposal that shocked the whole city, Maeve finally realized that she was the wife in the rumors… 
BLURB
."Ever have that feeling nothing you ever do matters?"
This is Lila Vitale's story, being overshadowed by her elder sister all her life no matter the efforts she puts in.
Finally, she is put in the spotlight when her elder sister, Lily, abandons her husband because he went blind, and she ( Lila) has to be the replacement by pretending to be her.
Lila is not happy about this at first but steps up to the challenge as she is finally seen and relied on by those she cares about.
Lucien, a year later regains his eyesight due to surgery. Lila, hopeful to be set free by the truth, gets disappointed when her sister Lily miraculously appears to take back the place she abandoned and the man Lila had grown to love.
To make matters worse, Lila realizes she was just a pawn being used all along and overhears death plots about her unborn child.
As the betrayal deepens, Lila tries reaching out to Lucien who treats her like a pest, hurting and giving her no choice but to disappear. Not too long after, Lucien figures out the truth and seeks out for her but isn't he too late?
Will Lila ever want to let him back into her life again, especially when she is hell-bent on revenge?
EXCERPT.
"You have to come back, Lila. To me. You and our children". He whispered gently, his blue eyes filled with care towards me, his hands on my cheeks, stroking them softly.
I closed my eyes, rubbing my face against his palm, enjoying the texture. How I had longed so much for this.
"Our children? Remember Mr. Knight. I never married you neither are my bastard children yours". I commented, repeating his exact same words five years ago as the side of my lips curled up in disdain. 

Bella Thompson assumed a new identity and entered into a three-year marriage contract with Justin Salvador, hoping to win his heart with her unwavering devotion.To her dismay, Justin hastily presented her with the divorce papers as soon as their contractual period expired. Heartbroken, Bella signed them and returned home, resuming her identity as the heiress of the Thompson business empire.From then on, Bella no longer hid her remarkable talents. She was not only a billionaire heiress, but also a medical prodigy, a world-class hacker, and a fencing champion.Determined to get her revenge, Bella went all out to humiliate her ex-husband’s childhood sweetheart at an auction. She also became her ex-husband’s biggest business rival.Finally, Justin confronted her, saying, “Bella Thompson! Must you be so ruthless?”Bella sneered and retorted, “How I treat you now is only a fraction of the cruelty you subjected me to back then!” 