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73

Author: Qior-Qior
last update publish date: 2026-04-30 19:09:29

STELLA POV

“That was a wonderful ride, Alex,” I said, sliding off the horse with his help, my legs still a little unsteady from the unfamiliar motion.

The ground felt strange beneath my feet—too still after the rhythmic sway of the ride. I exhaled softly, brushing a loose strand of hair away from my face.

“Thank you, mi taya,” he replied, flashing that easy grin of his, the kind that always seemed to come without effort.

Then his expression shifted.

Subtle.

But I caught it.

His gaze moved past
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  • No Longer A Substitute    150

    STELLA POVThe warm ocean breeze brushed against my skin as I made my way down the sandy beach, my bare feet sinking slightly into the soft golden sand with every step. The sunlight danced across the endless blue water, turning the waves into sheets of sparkling diamonds. Seagulls circled lazily overhead while the rhythmic sound of the ocean filled the air with a strange sense of peace.The moment my children spotted me, their faces lit up like Christmas morning."Mommy!"They took off running at full speed.I barely had time to open my arms before Andrea crashed into me first, wrapping her tiny arms around my waist.A second later, Andrew slammed into my side, nearly knocking all three of us into the sand.I laughed and hugged them tightly.For a moment, I simply closed my eyes and breathed them in.The familiar scent of sunscreen, seawater, and childhood.The scent of home."Mommy, you're finally here!" Andrea exclaimed, looking up at me with wide brown eyes. Her dark curls bounced

  • No Longer A Substitute    149

    STELLA POVI barged into the room without knocking."Kids! I'm here!"My voice echoed through the suite as I rushed inside.Relief flooded me at the thought of finally seeing them.Any second now, I expected Andrea to come running toward me.I expected Andrew to throw himself into my arms.I expected laughter.Excited voices.Tiny feet pounding across the floor.But nothing happened.The room remained silent.My smile slowly disappeared."Andrea?"I looked around."Andrew?"Still nothing.A knot formed in my stomach.I moved quickly through the suite, checking every corner.The living area.The bedroom.The balcony.Nothing.My pulse began to rise.I hurried toward the bathroom and pushed the door open.Empty.They weren't there either.The knot in my stomach tightened.I spun around and looked at Jonathan, who was standing near the doorway with an increasingly concerned expression."Where are they?"My voice came out louder than intended.Jonathan immediately raised both hands."Mada

  • No Longer A Substitute    148

    JONATHAN POV"She's right, Boss."The words left my mouth between heavy breaths as I finally reached the suite.Honestly, I deserved a raise.A very large raise.Possibly several raises.Do you know how difficult it is to wake up, discover your boss has apparently kidnapped his wife again, and then rush across an island trying to prevent a family disaster before breakfast?My life was not normal.The moment I stepped through the doorway, Devon closed his eyes.That was never a good sign.Usually it meant he was either about to fire me or pretend he wasn't responsible for whatever insanity had occurred."Jonathan."The way he said my name made it sound like I had personally offended his ancestors.I straightened and tried to regain what little dignity I had left after nearly collapsing from exhaustion."Why did you rush over here?" he demanded. "I didn't want you here. That's why I only told you this morning."I stared at him.The man had transported his sleeping wife to an island with

  • No Longer A Substitute    147

    DEVON POV"She's right, Boss."The familiar voice made me close my eyes.Of course.Of course he had come.I turned toward the doorway and found Jonathan standing there, bent over and panting heavily as though he had sprinted across the entire island to get here.His shirt was wrinkled.His hair looked like he had fought a hurricane and lost.Honestly, he looked ridiculous."Jonathan."The man had the decency to look slightly guilty.Only slightly."Why did you rush over here?" I demanded. "I didn't want you here. That's why I only told you this morning."Jonathan straightened immediately."Well, you shouldn't have told me at all!"He pointed at me dramatically."Heck, you shouldn't have hired me as your secretary! My life would have been so much better."I folded my arms."You think I make your life difficult?""I don't think so, Boss."He looked me dead in the eye."It's a fact."The betrayal.The disrespect.The audacity.I shook my head."Well, why don't I make your life easier? Y

  • No Longer A Substitute    146

    STELLA POV "She's right, Boss." A familiar voice suddenly spoke from behind us. I turned toward the doorway and found Jonathan standing there, bent over slightly with his hands on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. His shirt was wrinkled, his hair was a mess, and he looked as though he had run a marathon just to get here. For the first time since waking up, I felt a tiny bit relieved. "Jonathan?" "Why did you rush over here?" Devon demanded. "I didn't want you here. That's why I only told you this morning!" Jonathan straightened up and pointed accusingly at him. "Well, you shouldn't have told me at all! Heck, you shouldn't have hired me as your secretary! My life would have been so much better!" Despite my anger, I almost laughed. Almost. Devon folded his arms. "You think I make your life difficult?" "I don't think so, Boss. It's a fact." I could practically see Devon grinding his teeth. "Well, why don't I make it easier? You're fired." Jon

  • No Longer A Substitute    145

    STELLA POVI stared at him in disbelief after slapping him.My hand was still raised in the air from the impact.For several seconds, I couldn't even process what had just happened.Not the slap.Not the beach.Not the fact that I had somehow fallen asleep in my hotel room and woken up in an entirely different location.No.What I couldn't process was Devon himself.How did this man's brain work?How could someone be so intelligent in business and yet so catastrophically stupid in every other aspect of life?I slowly lowered my hand."Devon."My voice was cold.Dangerously cold."Show me where my children are."He opened his mouth."And take us home."His mouth immediately closed again.Good.I folded my arms tightly across my chest and stared at the floor for a moment, trying to keep my emotions under control.The anger surging through me was overwhelming.Every time I thought about what he had done, it grew worse.How could he possibly think this was acceptable?How could he honestl

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