Chapter 76

James POV

Present-day

James came back to present with a slam as Jacqueline's nails grazed his neck. James blinked to clear his vision that is stuck in the past.

God, Bella! The look on her face...James will never forget that look, until the day he dies. The pain she tried so hard to cover...the tears. He should follow her, he will. But first, he needs to close this chapter in his life once and for all.

He had promised her he wouldn't hurt her, harm her, yet in his arrogance has done exactly that to her. If only Jacqueline was far away, he could have settled the matters without anyone the wiser.
He should have known. Should have predicted when he first saw the glimpse of Jacqueline. But no, he neglected it. Eleanor's little play has distracted him enough to not see the trap this bitch was setting for himself.

Though fate had other plans for him, it's high time he changed his fate, with his own hands. Jacqueline has crossed the line today. He is done with her antics.

James forcefully removed the hands around his neck and gave a shove to her with enough force to make her stumble but not fall.

"You have crossed the line, Jacqueline", James said under clenched teeth, a muscle in his jaw ticking, his eyes blazing red hot coals at her.

"My...my...have I been naughty again husband? What are you going to do? Are you going to spank me? Shall I bend over here for your convenience? Remember husband, I like pain. Make those smacks harder", Jacqueline taunted as she licked her lips looking at the nerves that were running through his hands.

James threw a disgusting look her way and replied, "I wouldn't touch you even if you are the last woman on earth. You repel me"

"Too bad husband, you got stuck with me", Jacqueline gave a smirk as she put her hands on her hips giving a seductive pose.

She then circled James, her heels scraping the tiles as she traced the length of his arm with her fingernail and marveled at the strength in these muscles.

However, the very next second her voice hardened and she threw daggers at him with her eyes while saying, "nevertheless, you seem to forget about that detail. It's not like you to be a naughty husband. Shall I tighten the leash to remind you?"

James grabbed the errant hand of hers, turned her body so that it's facing him, and said with an equal measure of anger, "I told you before Jacqueline. Insinuate me like a dog one more time and see what happens".

A muscle ticked in her jaw at his blatant disrespect. Anger blinded her eyes as she spits the words with madness circulating in her eyes, "What's so special about her? Why did you choose her! Does she suck your cock better than me? Is she good in bed? If you want her, she can join our bed. Want to try a threesome with her? Want to see how our breasts touch, our bodies slide over each other coated with sweat while I play with her? I can do it with her. What do you say, dear husband, shall we call her back?"

"You stay the hell away from Bella! Touch her and I will throw you behind the bars. You don't even deserve to say her name out loud", James said as he increased the pressure on his grip to show he is serious, his eyes conveying the repulsiveness he felt when he heard her vulgarity.
Jacqueline scratched his hand with her nails drawing blood. She then gave an evil laugh and taunted him by saying, "we will see about that. you see these marks, husband, you are mine. I marked you as mine long ago. You can never be free from these chains"

A small smirk of his own spread across his stoic face as James drawled, "that's where you are wrong Jacqueline. As of now, I'm truly free and single again. I broke the chains free. Too bad you cannot do anything about it. From this very hour, you became my ex"

"That's not possible. There have to be 3 more years left. The contract says", Jacqueline said, shocked, taking hold of her body as it went rigid.

"I won't give a fuck about the contract, and neither about you. Your father thought he was being really brilliant with his clauses. But I too have learned cunning from him. Two can play the game, Jacqueline. And this time I made the goal", James said with triumph.

"It's not possible. My father made that contract ironclad. Breaking free of it is impossible. You are bluffing. Admit it husband, you are lying", she asked as she stood on her toes and grabbed him by his shirt collar, trying to shake him to admit the truth. Madness can be seen in her eyes.

"Lying is your family trait, Jacqueline. Not my habit. It's true that your father made it near impossible to break, but every contract has a loophole. It's just a matter of time to find it in this one", James said as he snatched her hands and pushed her away from him with no force behind the push. Jacqueline twirled towards him; her hands clenched.

"How could it be!" Jacqueline asked stunned to learn the fact.

"Once your father died the clock started ticking Jacqueline. It was only a matter of time", James said as he casually straightened his shirt with his hand, clearing the creases her grab may have done.

"But dad died 4 years ago. If you haven't tried it in these years, what has changed now?"
Jacqueline questioned her eyes narrowing, while she tilted her neck slightly

"Your lawyer. Though I was able to buy all the other ones, the chief one remained stubborn. I have to bid my time until he is met with an unfortunate accident", James informed her.

Jacqueline sucked her breath at this revelation. She never thought James was capable of violence. Well, she has underestimated him.

"Uh...uh...uh, don't give me that look, Jacqueline. Hurting people is your forte, not mine. Fate, for a change, was on my side when your lawyer hit the bucket. After that it was just as easy as contesting for divorce in the court", James said with no regret in his voice. Why should he? After all, he was also a catalyst in making his cage.

"But I never was informed. I didn't get any notice. It's not legal. How can you be divorced without the other party's consent? You...you must have done something", she poked her finger on his chest, accusing him. James for once enjoyed the helplessness of his ex-wife. She deserves much more after what she put him through during their marriage but he wants to put it past him.
"Tsk... tsk...tsk. Temper...temper. Yes. I have done something. I bribed them. But you made it possible for the court to grant that divorce"

"Me? What rubbish are you talking about? Why would I do that?", she asked with a frown between her eyebrows.

"Well, your affairs for one. It's so easy to click photos of you in the arms of your many lovers. And about informing you, you must have a stable address to receive the legal documents from your ex-wife. Unfortunately, or fortunately for me, you tend to wander a lot. So, the court couldn't get a hold of you. Tired of your carelessness, the court has finally granted the divorce today", James shrugged nonchalantly enjoying the frustration his ex is displaying.

"I should have been informed. It's my life too. I'm not ready to release you. You. Are. Mine!" Jacqueline threw the nearby lamp on the floor in frustration.

"No, I'm not", James said, his smirk sliding off his face as he straightened and took hold of her arm in his hand and walked her towards the front door. Jacqueline tried to resist but James was vigilant in his pursuit to throw her out of his life.

He shoved her out of the house and came to a stop at his front door. Jacqueline smirked at him as she lightly rubbed her hand.

"It must have taken a long time to plan this thing. Tell me husband", Jacqueline drawled the word 'husband', irking him as she continued, "were you been planning it since my dad's funeral!"
"If I had my way, I would have divorced you twelve years ago. But the accident of your lawyer set the ball rolling", James said as he stood in a wide stance, his arms folded before him.
"Hmm...I should have counted on that. Good play husband. But the battle is far from over", Jacqueline snarled with blazing eyes.

"I don't give a fuck. Get out of my life and stay put. And if you think I'm giving a penny after this, then dream on. All your cards have been canceled starting now", James said as he shut the door on her shocked face.

They had an acrimonious divorce. Nevertheless, he is relieved that it's finally over. Now, he has to convince Bella that what she saw is not true.

Jacqueline on the other hand, felt her blood boiling within her veins. She should have known. James is not malleable enough to keep quiet. Nevertheless, as she said, the game is far from over. He ruined her chance to get her hands on his money. Now, she will ruin him and his lover.
Let's see who will win, husband Jacqueline thought to herself as she gave an evil laugh.

Once she was far away from his house, she called her acquaintance. "Eva, darling, how are you?"
"Jacqueline, is that you?"Eva, the publicist, was surprised to hear from her.

"Yes. I need your help darling. I'm sending you an envelope. I want these photos to be printed in every magazine, every newspaper by tomorrow. This must be the news that Atlanta wakes up to. Every news channel must cover only this", Jacqueline said as she looked at the envelope clasped in her hands.

"Ok. It's a little hard but I can manage if-", Eva trailed off, hinting Jacqueline to grease her hands. Jacqueline sighed and responded,

"I will wire the cash. And you will get an exclusive interview from me", she added in the end, making the deal sweeter.

"Nice. How messy should it be?", Eva asked regarding the photos. It's an art to present them before the readers. It can be written as cute pictures or sleazy ones. It all depends on how well you present them and by whom.

"Worst kind. Send your toughest ones. Don't hold anything back", Jacqueline said with a smirk.
"She must have stepped on your toes really hard", Eva asked, stunned.

"Mind your work. I want the papers running by tomorrow", Jacqueline snapped at her and cut the call.

'You should have thought before messing with me, husband. Now see what you made me do! James McKenzie, the game has just begun", Jacqueline said out loud in her car.

James, not knowing what's in store for him, goes to Bella's home to explain everything to her.
Surely, she will understand once he relates everything.

He knocked on her door with no response. He tried calling her. He then shouted his name. Nothing. Her phone is also not connecting.

James's mind tricked him with deadly scenarios. Bella lying somewhere helpless and heartbroken. His breathing became ragged, his heart pounded violently in his chest as if somehow it might escape it.

He spun promptly on his heels, and the flats of his boots smacked furiously against the concrete ground as he turned to face the bodyguard who was assigned to look after her.
"Where is she?" James asked furiously

"I...I... sir, you said not to bother today", the bodyguard stammered fearing for his employment.
James clenched his fists as he thought what this meant. His Bella is out there somewhere, cold, wet, alone, and heartbroken. Because of him.