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118

Penulis: Chris Muna
last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-06-14 18:26:58

The tension in Carolina’s apartment was palpable, simmering like a storm beneath the surface.

It was early afternoon, and sunlight poured in through the thin curtains, casting diagonal streaks of light across the hardwood floor. Carolina sat cross-legged on the couch, ankle bracelet glinting beneath the hem of her joggers as she clicked through more files on the laptop. Katherine stood by the window, arms folded, eyes scanning the street below every few seconds. Julius paced slowly near the coffee table, scribbling in his notepad, brows furrowed with focus.

A knock came—sharp and deliberate.

Everyone stilled.

Carolina looked up. “That must be the backup I told Devon to send.”

Julius moved toward the door. “Let’s see who we’re dealing with.”

He opened it cautiously—and then paused, blinking in surprise.

Katherine turned just in time to see Devon step into the apartment, dressed in fitted cargo pants and a dark utility jacket. His presence filled the space immediately—soli
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  • Beyond A Substitute   128

    The sun bathed the garden in a golden hue, casting a soft light over the ocean of flowers that surrounded the long, elegant dining table. Roses in bloom, peonies swaying in the breeze, and lavender brushing gently against the trimmed hedges made the space feel like a hidden oasis—part fairytale, part dream. The table was long and beautifully set, with six ivory-cushioned chairs and fine china gleaming under the soft light. Crystal glasses sparkled beside plates already lined with appetizers. A floral centerpiece of wildflowers and orchids stretched down the table’s length like a river of color. Birds chirped softly in the distance. A faint breeze fluttered the white silk canopy overhead, giving the moment an ethereal touch. Katherine and Kingsley walked hand in hand into the garden, and the sight before Katherine nearly stole her breath. “Oh… Kingsley. This is magical,” she whispered. “I wanted it to be perfect,” he said with a soft smile. “This moment matters.” Waiting at

  • Beyond A Substitute   127

    The morning sun painted Brooklyn in a warm, golden hue, casting long rays through the windows of Katherine and Carolina’s apartments for the last time. The sound of a truck engine rumbled through the street as one large moving truck parked in front of their building. Mover men were already at work—hauling boxes, carefully rolling up rugs, and disassembling furniture. Katherine stood on the sidewalk in her favorite faded jeans and a loose blouse, her hair tied in a messy bun, stood by the curb in a simple, soft beige sweater and dark jeans, watching movers carry out her belongings from the apartment she had once rebuilt her life in. But there was a twist — the furniture wasn’t going with her. Every luxe item Kingsley had surprised her with— A luxurious velvet sofa in a rich moss green, its cushions plump and regal. A soft cream throw was draped over one arm. The coffee table—once a chipped slab of pine she rescued off Craigslist—had been replaced by a gleaming marble-topped centerpie

  • Beyond A Substitute   126

    The Uber dropped her off just before sunset. The neighborhood was quiet—unusually so. The scent of roasted beans lingering faintly in the air like a memory. A warm breeze stirred the blooming vines crawling up the side of her apartment building, whispering like ghosts of the past. Katherine stood outside her door for a long moment, her bag on her should, keys clutched loosely in hand. She stared at the familiar chipped blue paint, the little welcome mat Carolina once bought her that still said “home is where your coffee is.” Home. She exhaled gently, then unlocked the door and stepped inside. The place smelled like her. Cinnamon, lavender, and the faintest trace of vanilla-scented cleaning spray she always used. It was still neat—everything as she left it before she ran to Manhattan. Her chest tightened. She’d miss this little apartment. The way the light streamed through the sheer curtains in the morning. The way she and Carolina used to gossip on her couch, legs tangled

  • Beyond A Substitute   125

    Six weeks had passed. Three long, surreal weeks since everything unraveled. Since her carefully constructed version of life—marriage, image, power—crumbled at her feet like a fragile tower made of sand. This morning, Beth sat at her vanity table for the last time in the Rowe mansion, staring at her reflection in silence. The morning light filtered in through the grand windows, casting a pale glow across the marble floors. The room was still—the quiet kind of still that came before endings. Her fingers hovered over her phone before she finally opened the app. Start Live Video. She inhaled deeply, lifting her chin with practiced poise as the camera lit up and the hearts and waves of notifications began to pour in. Within seconds, her comment section flooded like a tidal wave of chaos. “My favorite couple 😢” “What happened?!” “Beth, if Kingsley isn’t the problem… is it YOU?” “Wait, did you cheat?” “Say something, please!!” “I can’t believe in love anymore.” “I wa

  • Beyond A Substitute   124

    Sunlight streamed through the windows of the apartment in Manhattan, casting a golden sheen across the hardwood floor. Katherine sat curled up on the armchair in soft loungewear, sipping chamomile tea, her body still unwinding from the chaos of the last few weeks. A gentle knock came at the door before it eased open. “Hey,” Carolina said, poking her head in. She was dressed in a fitted tracksuit, her curly hair pulled into a loose bun, face bare, but radiant. Katherine perked up. “Hey, come in.” Carolina stepped in a wide grin on her face. “Guess what?” “What?” “I got my ankle monitor removed this morning.” Katherine’s eyes widened, a joyful gasp escaping her lips. “Carolina!” “I know,” Carolina said, walking in fully now. “The feds said Beth came in to release all charges. So, I’m officially free.” Katherine set down her mug and rose to her feet, hugging her tightly. “That’s amazing. Thank God.” Carolina stepped back, laughing. “It feels so good not to walk around

  • Beyond A Substitute   123

    Michael glanced up from the glass of water in his hand as Jordan walked into the living room with Beth trailing closely behind him. His eyes sharpened immediately—not with emotion, but with precision, the way a veteran surgeon might study an X-ray or a flaw in an otherwise pristine diamond. He didn’t blink. His gaze lingered—too long, too still—on Jordan’s face, then dropped to the man’s gait, the curve of his shoulders, the quiet tension in his jaw. Jordan forced a nod that barely looked rehearsed. “Dad.” Michael’s brow twitched faintly. He didn’t answer right away. He took a slow sip from the glass before replying in a tone that was deceptively warm. “Kingsley.” Silence stretched between them like a taut wire. Beth stepped forward quickly, inserting herself between the crackling air with a breezy laugh that sounded like it had been pulled from a fashion ad. “He’s just tired. We were up late last night reviewing the West Coast expansion—so many deadlines! He’s completely obse

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