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2026-04-30 19:06:12
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No Longer A Substitute 95
ESTELLE POV“Don’t worry, Grandma,” Devon said, voice steady. “I’ll do whatever it takes to get her out of there. And it’s good to see you back to normal.”I watched him closely.The certainty in his tone.The ease in his promise.Disgusting.“Enough talking,” Grandma cut in sharply. “Have you already contacted my lawyers? They are far better than yours.”Devon nodded without hesitation. “Alright. I’ll give them a call.”Of course he would.He leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead before walking out, already dialing.I didn’t miss that.Didn’t miss anything.“You and Stella have gotten closer,” I said, my tone light but edged. “I didn’t know this.”Grandma didn’t even look at me. “Must you know everything?”My lips twitched.“No,” I replied, voice cooling. “But I thought we were aligned. You were the only one who could actually see things clearly back then.”Still nothing.“I thought you were smarter than this,” I added. “Smart enough to see past her act.”That got her at
No Longer A Substitute 94
DEVON POV“Drop me off at the hospital.”Jonathan didn’t argue this time. He simply nodded, turning the wheel as the car veered off the main road. Rain still clung to the windows, softer now, but steady enough to blur the streetlights into streaks of gold.Neither of us spoke for the rest of the drive.When the car finally came to a stop, I stepped out without another word, the cool air hitting my face as I shut the door behind me. The hospital loomed ahead—quiet, sterile, almost too calm for the storm sitting inside my chest.I walked in. Past the reception. Down the familiar hallway. Straight to her room.I pushed the door open——and froze for a second.Estelle was already there.She stood beside the bed, arms loosely folded, posture relaxed like she belonged there.Like she had every right.“Estelle,” I said, my tone flattening. “What are you doing here?”She turned slowly, her lips curving into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “I just came here to visit Grandma. Why?” Her brow
No Longer A Substitute 93
DEVON POVThe car door opened, and I slipped inside just as Jonathan pulled away from the curb. The moment it shut, the outside noise dulled into a low hum, leaving only the tension sitting thick between us.Jonathan glanced at me once, then smirked faintly. “You looking all pissed tells me things have gone south with your wife again.”I leaned back against the seat, eyes fixed ahead. “She asked me to leave.”His brows lifted slightly. “Should I ask the lawyer to come back?”“No.” My tone was firm. “Let him get her out.”The car merged into traffic, headlights streaking past us in long, blurred lines.“Why did she ask you to leave?” he pressed.I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I turned my head slightly, watching as the police station grew smaller and smaller in the distance, swallowed by the night.“She said I might not be able to handle who framed her,” I finally said. “And that I wouldn’t allow the person to face the consequences.” My jaw tightened. “I believe she thinks it’s E
No Longer A Substitute 92
STELLA POVThe cell smelled faintly of rust and disinfectant—an odd, suffocating mix that clung to the back of my throat. I leaned against the cold wall, arms folded, forcing myself to stay calm.Devon stood just outside the bars, his presence as sharp and out of place as ever.“It’s okay, Stella,” he said, his voice lower than usual. “I’ve called Jonathan. He’ll get you a lawyer.”I didn’t even look at him.“That won’t be necessary,” I replied. “I can call my assistant. She’ll arrange one.”A beat of silence.“Yet she couldn’t find you a divorce lawyer,” he said, almost casually.My eyes lifted slowly to meet his.“And I believe that’s your fault.”He didn’t deny it.“It is,” he admitted after a moment. Then his tone shifted. “Look… just let me help. We work with the best lawyers. You’ll be out of here in no time.”I let out a quiet breath. “You say that like you’ve had experience.”His jaw tightened slightly. “I just don’t like seeing you in a place like this.”I looked away.“I’m g
No Longer A Substitute 91
JONATHAN POV“Yay! I still got it!”The last pin dropped and I couldn’t help the grin that pulled at my face. That one felt good. Clean. Satisfying. Like everything lined up exactly how it should.I turned back toward Rina, expecting at least a little appreciation.Instead, she folded her arms.“Can’t you let your wife win once?” she asked.I blinked. “…No.”That came out immediately.She stared at me like I’d committed a crime.I sighed and leaned on the bowling ball rack. “Nice try. I’m not falling for that again.”Her eyes narrowed. “Again?”“Yes, again,” I said, pointing slightly as I explained like it was obvious. “If I let you win, you’ll get mad that I didn’t try. You’ll say I embarrassed you. Then you’ll demand I take it seriously. So I either lose on purpose and get scolded, or I win properly and get accused of showing off.”I nodded once, satisfied with my logic. “So no. We’re playing bowling. Properly.”Rina stared at me in disbelief.Then she muttered, “Find jerk.”I didn’
No Longer A Substitute 90
STELLA POV“Are you happy now, bitch?”The voice hit first before I even fully turned.Estelle.I didn’t react immediately. I just looked at her, letting the silence stretch a little, watching the tension in her posture—arms folded too tightly, chin lifted too high, like she was trying to convince herself she was in control.“Now that Devon is gone,” she continued, stepping closer, “your true colors are coming out again.”I let out a small breath through my nose. “If you’re done performing, say what you actually came here for.”She scoffed. “Thank God I was cringing back there. I needed a bath after watching you act like that. You’ve got a shiny new spine now, don’t you? Good for you.”Her eyes narrowed slightly.“You were always pathetic back then,” she said. “But don’t cross the people you shouldn’t. It will end badly for you.”I tilted my head slightly, unimpressed.“Choose your battles carefully,” she went on. “Because one day, something will come and erase you. And your voice too
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