The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 40

Chapter 36: Breaking Point

Bella POV

+25 Points/

The morning after my meeting with Caleb, I woke up to my phone exploding with notifications. News alerts, text messages from Jennifer, missed calls from my legal team. Something had happened, something big.

I grabbed my phone and opened the first news alert, my heart stopping as I read the headline:

“Caleb Black Files Harassment Charges Against Jade Hart: ‘She Destroyed My Marriage With Lies

Below it was a professional statement from Black Enterprises’ legal team, carefully worded but devastating:

“Mr. Black is pursuing legal action against Ms. Jade Hart for harassment, defamation, fraud, and embezzlement. Evidence shows that Ms. Hart created falsified materials years ago that led to the dissolution of Mr. Black’s marriage. Despite Mr. Black’s repeated requests that she cease contact, Ms. Hart has continued to harass him and spread false information. Additional evidence shows Ms. Hart has been embezzling from Hart Industries. We have filed criminal charges and will pursue all available legal remedies.”

I stared at the statement, my mind racing. Caleb had gone nuclear on Jade. Publicly. And he’d included embezzlement charges that would destroy not just Jade, but potentially Richard and the entire Hart family.

“Mommy?” Tom appeared in my doorway, rubbing his eyes. “Why are you awake so early?”

“Just work stuff, baby.” I set down my phone and held out my arms. He climbed into bed with me, and I pulled him close, breathing in his little-boy scent. “Did you sleep well?”

“I had a dream about dinosaurs,” he said, settling against my chest. “They were nice dinosaurs though. They didn’t eat anyone.”

“Good dinosaurs.” I kissed the top of his head, my mind still reeling from the news. Caleb was protecting us. Even after I’d lied to him, even after I’d told him Tom was Maya’s son, he was destroying Jade to keep us safe.

My phone buzzed with a call from Jennifer.”Bella, have you seen the news?” she asked without preamble.

“I’m looking at it now.”

“The media is going crazy. Everyone wants a statement from you about your connection to

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Chapter 36. Breaking Point

+25 Points

Caleb Black and this scandal with Jade Hart.” Jennifer’s voice was urgent. “How do you want

to handle this?”

I thought quickly, my CEO brain kicking into gear despite the emotional chaos. “Release a brief statement. ‘Ms. Hart has no comment on Mr. Black’s personal legal matters. Hart Worldwide remains focused on our business objectives and will not be drawn into speculation about past relationships.’ Keep it professional.”

“Got it. But Bella? The media is digging into your history with Caleb. They’re going to find out about your marriage eventually.”

“Let them find out.” I stroked Tom’s hair absently. “We were married briefly years ago, it ended badly, we’ve both moved on. That’s all they need to know.”

“And if they ask about children? There are already rumors circulating because of Jade’s social media posts.”

“There are no children,” I said firmly. “Those are baseless rumors spread by a woman facing criminal charges. Don’t dignify them with a response.”

After I hung up, Maya appeared in my doorway with coffee and a knowing look.”So Caleb went to war,” she said, handing me a mug.

“He went nuclear.” I took a sip, grateful for the caffeine. “Embezzlement charges, Maya. He’s not just destroying Jade, he’s destroying the entire Hart family. Why would he do this? I lied

to him.”

“Maybe because he figured out you were lying,” Maya said quietly. “And maybe because even if he can’t prove Tom is his, he wants to make sure you’re both safe from Jade.”

She was right. By going public with the charges, Caleb had made himself a target. Jade would fight back, would try to destroy him in the media, would use every weapon she had. And he’d done it anyway.

“Mommy, can we have pancakes?” Tom asked, oblivious to the adult drama unfolding around him.

“We can have all the pancakes you want, baby.” I kissed his forehead and set him down. “Go wash your face and brush your teeth. I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

After he left, I looked at Maya with tears in my eyes. “What if he’s figured it out? What if he knows Tom is his?”

“Then he knows,” Maya said gently. “And you’ll deal with it. But Bella, look at what he’s doing. He’s protecting you both without demanding anything in return. That’s not the action of a

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Chapter 36 Breaking Point

man who wants to hurt you.”

+25 Points

Before I could respond, my phone rang. An unknown number, but something made me answer it. “Bella Hart.” My voice was professional, cool.

“You bitch.” Jade’s voice was shrill, furious. “You did this. You turned Caleb against me, made him file those charges, ruined everything!”

“I didn’t do anything, Jade.” I kept my voice calm even as my heart raced. “You did this to yourself when you threatened me.”

“Threatened you?” She laughed, bitter and sharp. “I haven’t even started yet. You think you can keep that little boy hidden forever? You think Caleb won’t figure out that Tom is his son? I’ve already told him everything, Bella. About how you kept his child from him, how his face, how you’re just a manipulative.”

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