Share
A narrow escape
There was silence for a minute or two while Charlotte wracked her brain furiously for an appropriate and believable explanation, but could not come up with any. She had gotten carried away and had said more than she should have. It was Jessica who had told her that Victoria told her that Sebastian married Carol because his uncle had promised to help him find Jessica if he did so. Of course, there was no way that she was going to tell Carol that. When she could not come up with a reasonable explanation, she groaned inwardly at what she knew she would have to do immediately.
She would have to murder, or at least render this woman unconscious and kidnap her right here and right now in this car. This had not been in her plans at all and it was a major inconvenience, to say the least. She glanced at Carol to find her watching her with a questioning gaze, suspicion, and more than a little fear clearly app
Kaugnay na kabanata
The Substitute Bride Saga Sealing a deal with a devil incarnate
“You married into such an interesting family. When I said we needed to gossip, I had no idea that the gossip would be so interesting.” Charlotte told Carol, pretending to be amazed while thinking to herself how gullible this woman was.“I’m telling you. So, anyway, to the real gossip, and the reason why I need advice... It’s that Jessica woman.” Carol said, feeling horrible about bringing this up, but unable to help herself.“What about her?” Charlotte asked, pretending not to really care when in reality, her heart was beating a mile a minute at the mention of Jessica’s name. That girl had the power to make everything go to shit once she regained consciousness ... if she ever did, that is, and she was one of the major reasons that Charlotte was here. She needed to get as much information about her, such as which hospital she was admitted to and stuff like that.“Well … I mean … I don’t know how to say it, and I feel horrible even thinking it, but I don’t like her at all.”“What’s so ho
The Substitute Bride Saga Confronting Sebastian
She glared at him and without saying anything, moved past him and was about to enter the house, except that she did not get far. He held her hand and dragged her back to face him. Carol stared him down angrily, still not saying anything. Her heart skipped a bit just looking into his handsome face. It was the first time she was seeing him since she came back from the burial, making it the first time she was seeing him in almost four days. It felt like it was four months instead of four days and without anyone telling her, Carol knew that she was in serious trouble. When Sebastian saw that she was not going to say anything, he had no choice other than to speak first.“Are you not going to apologize?” he asked.“Apologize? Apologize for what? Apologize to whom? You’re really impossible.” She said incredulously, dragging her hand away from his and shaking her head in disbelief.“I called you several times, but you didn’t answer the phone.” He said, a look of confusion creasing
The Substitute Bride Saga The awakening
“Oh my God, Sebastian! I’m so sorry.” Carol said, placing a hand over her mouth in shock. All this while, she had never thought about something like that. All she had been thinking of was what would happen when Jessica came out of her coma. “Yeah. He was just advising me about it and whatnot, but it got me thinking about a lot of things, which I’ve been trying really hard not to think about before. Jessica put me as her power of attorney, something I did not know before now. She also left instructions that if it so happened that she was in a coma for more than a month, the life support should be unplugged after a month and three weeks. Carol, this is the end of the second week. If she does not come out of the coma before then, I’d have to give my consent for her to be taken off life support. I don't think I can do it." He finished, his face strained and unshed tears in his eyes. “Jeez! That’s scary. I hate that you have to bear such a burden, especially as it i
The Substitute Bride Saga A fulfilling celebration
Sebastian sat frozen, as did Carol while they digested this surprising, but oh so welcome news. The bodyguard was still talking excitedly on the phone, explaining things, but the two of them were not listening. They were staring at each other in shock and happiness. Without saying anything, Sebastian came over to where Carol was and gave her a big long hug.“She’s waking up, Sebastian. Thank God.”“I’m so happy and relieved. You were right, Carol. You’re such a blessing.” He said, pulling back and looking at her in something akin to awe and reverence.“I’m sure that it wasn’t me or what I said that did it, but I’ll take the credit regardless.” Carol joked, happy to see him smiling once more. Suddenly, he looked much better. All the worries of the past month and even all the time since she knew him had dropped away from his face. Her gaze dropped to his luscious-looking, full lower lip. It was all she could do not to take it in between her own lips.
The Substitute Bride Saga Suspicious persistence
That night, Carol slept in Sebastian’s room and in his arms. After he got back from Sacramento, he had told her everything about his visit there and how Jessica was. According to what he told her, Jessica was not really aware of her surroundings, but she seemed to recognize people that she knew before, and that was a good sign. The doctor was hopeful that she would go on to make a full recovery and even identify her attackers in no time.“Oh, that reminds me, I was thinking of going to visit her. I don’t think that it speaks well of me that she has been in the hospital for the length of time that she has and I’ve not yet gone to see her.” Carol told him, not mentioning that it was Melissa who had brought this to her notice.“That’s nice. I’ll inform the guards to let you see her. I left express instructions with the guards that no one was to be allowed access to her unless I gave express permission.”“Isn’t that a little extreme?”“No, it’s not, actually. I have managed to keep the new
The Substitute Bride Saga Unexpected guests
“Look, I don’t know why you seem so eager to see Mr. James, but I don’t think it’s wise to take you along with me. I mean, the man is recovering from a sickness and he doesn’t know you. It would seem rude for me to just bring a stranger to visit him without even informing him about it.” An exasperated Carol protested finally, hoping that Melissa would see reason with her and get down from the vehicle to go back to wherever she had come from. Melissa was nodding her head as though she was listening and could understand Carol’s point perfectly well, but she made no move to get down from the vehicle. Carol’s driver left the car idling, looking from woman to woman as he waited for them to make a decision. “It’s not your fault, you sallow-faced nincompoop. By right, I should be closer to that bastard than you could ever think of being.” Charlotte wanted to say, but of course, she didn’t. Instead, she turned and faced the driver. “What are you waiting for, young man? Let’s get going.” She t
The Substitute Bride Saga The meeting
Within minutes, the driver delivered Carol and Charlotte to Mr. James’s residence, and then drove back to the house, after Carol told him to go, that she would give him a call when she was ready to leave. She was still not sure about bringing this Melissa lady along with her, especially as she had not informed Mr. James that she was doing so first, but they were already here and even if she wanted to change her mind, it was already too late. Carol glanced at Melissa, wondering at how strangely she was acting all of a sudden. She had a strange look on her face and was quiet … very quiet, especially for someone who was always talking.“Hey… Are you okay?” Carol asked, pausing and turning to face Melissa, who stopped and faced her too, staring at her blankly. They were standing between the lush lawns that led to the house itself.“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?” Charlotte asked, visibly shaking herself out of whatever stupor she had been in.“I don’t know. You were looking strange j
The Substitute Bride Saga Surprising Charlotte
“Um, uncle. I think it is best that she goes with me so that you can rest a little while we’re away.”“Oh, nonsense. All I ever do is rest nowadays. I’ll like to sit and chat with a lovely lady if that will not be too much trouble.” Mr. James said, waving away her concern.“Melissa, you don’t mind then?”“Of course not. I don’t mind one bit.” Charlotte replied, her heart beating rapidly. What she had longed for all her life was finally going to happen.“Oh, and while at it, kindly get me some flowers. I’ll send them over to Jessica with a driver. I heard that she’s starting to wake up.”“What?” Charlotte exclaimed loudly in shock and dismay, forgetting herself momentarily. Mr. James and Carol looked at her in surprise.“I mean, that’s really great. The poor thing has suffered a lot. I'm just happy that she’s finally waking up after such a long time. Has she said anything yet, about her captors or anything like that? I mean, that has to be one of the first things she'll talk about, righ
Pinakabagong kabanata
- The Substitute Bride Saga Happily ever after
- The Substitute Bride Saga Booting out the enemy
- The Substitute Bride Saga A happy ending
- The Substitute Bride Saga Meeting at last
- The Substitute Bride Saga The search
- The Substitute Bride Saga Finding Carol
- The Substitute Bride Saga The threat
- The Substitute Bride Saga Crippling loneliness
- The Substitute Bride Saga Nowhere to be found
