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16. The Deal Over Dinner
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2025-08-12 03:00:00Every evening at exactly seven, someone knocked on Rose’s door from the outside. She had grown accustomed to finding a tray of food in front of her door, though she never knew who had delivered it.
Although being isolated wasn’t pleasant, Rose was grateful to have food and a bed at the Cavanaugh residence.Tonight, however, she was startled to see Matteo himself standing in the doorway. He gave her a polite nod.“You haven’t had dinner yet, right? Let’s have dinner in the dining room,” he said.Rose blinked. "In the dining room? But I usually eat in here.”"It's okay. Nicole and Letty aren’t having dinner at home.”Being in the same room as Matteo’s sisters didn't make her uncomfortable—it was being around Matteo himself that made her uncomfortable. His demeanor felt different from the first time they met, especially.Rose couldn’t tell if he was being nice for a particular rea
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The Substitute Twin Bride 104. The Beginning of the Truth
Matteo let out a long, weary breath as he sat inside the car. He had been there for more than ten minutes, doing nothing. Just staring blankly at the buses leaving the terminal one after another.He had followed Aaron all the way to the bus terminal.Matteo had no idea what Rose was doing there. All he saw from a distance was Aaron having a small argument with her, and then it ended with Aaron kissing Rose. Kissing her.Why did Matteo’s chest ache so badly when he saw Aaron kiss Rose in public?Rose was nobody to Matteo. They did not even know each other. And yet, the look in her eyes felt so familiar to him. Eyes that once made his heart tremble and feel alive.“My God,” Matteo whispered.His troubled thoughts were interrupted when his phone vibrated. He reached for it on the passenger seat and glanced at the screen. Letty’s name appeared. He did not feel like answering, but ignoring her was not an option.“Yes, Letty?” Matteo greeted.Whether it was instinct or the tiredness in his
The Substitute Twin Bride 103. A Kiss That Change Everything
“Mr. Aaron…” Rose gasped.Before Rose could continue speaking, Aaron did something completely unexpected. He leaned in and kissed her on the lips passionately. The kiss was brief but deep and filled with affection.Rose froze in place, confused, and fear hit her. It had never once crossed her mind that Aaron could possibly love her. All this time, Aaron had never shown excessive gestures or anything awkward.How could Aaron love her?“Let us go home, all right?” Aaron asked, and this time his voice sounded gentle.Rose nodded awkwardly. She simply let Aaron take her hand as they walked toward the parking area. Rose remained silent, lowering her gaze to the pavement she stepped on.Her mind was in complete chaos as she tried to process everything.Aaron’s kiss, his confession, and her abandoned plan to run away. Everything swirled together inside her mind and heart.Aaron opened the car door, but Rose froze for a moment. She felt something strange, as if someone was watching them. Her
The Substitute Twin Bride 102. Chasing Rose
With confident steps, Aaron entered the office. The receptionist in the lobby informed him that Matteo Cavanaugh was already waiting in the meeting room. In his heart, Aaron muttered that Matteo was extremely persistent. It was certainly not a business matter. Matteo wanted to know about Rose. And Aaron absolutely would not allow access to that.As he entered the meeting room, Aaron finally got a clear look at Matteo. Aaron had to admit that Matteo was indeed charismatic, the kind of fine gentleman one would expect. However, to Aaron, Matteo was not better than him.“Mr. Aaron.” Matteo stood and offered a diplomatic smile.Ah, no wonder Rose fell in love with this man, Aaron thought.Aaron reached out his hand. “Mr. Matteo. Pleasure.”The two sat facing each other, wrapped in a brief silence. Matteo had come alone, though he should have brought an assistant. Aaron’s suspicion grew stronger. Matteo definitely wanted to investigate Rose.Should Aaron just speak plainly and tell him tha
The Substitute Twin Bride 101. Rose's Silent Decision
With weakened steps, Rose walked out of the restaurant without even glancing back. Once she neared the lobby, she straightened her posture. She quickly put on the most casual expression she could manage, as if nothing had happened. When her eyes met Aaron’s, Rose forced herself to smile.“Sorry for making you wait so long, sir,” Rose said.“It’s fine. It wasn’t that long anyway.” Aaron glanced at his watch; barely fifteen minutes had passed.“Shall we head to the office now?”A slight frown formed on Aaron’s forehead. Something felt off. Rose’s responses were too short, and her demeanor was strangely unusual. Had she and Romilda already finished talking?Still, Aaron just nodded, and the two of them walked out of the hotel. Throughout the trip back to the office, Aaron held himself back from asking what actually happened between Rose and Romilda. Instead, he kept stealing glances at her, observing the calm façade she put on.But storms usually come when everything is too quiet. And Aa
The Substitute Twin Bride 100. Romilda's Trick
“Don’t look so shocked. You wanted me to stay disfigured so you could keep being with Matteo, didn’t you?”Romilda’s words stabbed Rose’s heart like a knife. Rose had never even thought that far, yet Romilda accused her as if she were cruel and scheming.“Sit,” Romilda said with a sweet smile that didn’t reach her eyes—eyes that looked ready to devour her. “We have things to discuss, Rose.”Tension flickered across Rose’s face as she carefully sat across from her sister. They were twins, sharing the same womb for nine months, but every hair on Rose’s body stood on end, as if the person in front of her wasn’t family at all.“What do you want to talk about?” Rose asked.“This is about Matteo.”Rose’s hands curled into fists, her face heating up instantly. Matteo again, the man she had tried so hard to forget. The man she had already walked away from.“I have nothing to do with him anymore. Why bring him up?” Rose’s voice came out firm.“But he knows something about you. Why do you think
The Substitute Twin Bride 99. The Hidden Bargain
Rose’s anxious expression was impossible to hide as she paced back and forth in the living room, waiting for Aaron to return. Even now, he still hadn’t sent any updates, not about Paris, nor about Romilda.But her anxiety slowly found its answer when she heard the rumble of a vehicle outside. Rose hurried to open the door and saw Aaron’s car pulling into the driveway. Relief washed through her entire body. Maybe everything was finally settled, she thought.The moment she faced Aaron, Rose couldn’t hold back her curiosity any longer.“How was it, sir? Was Miss Paris able to get out of custody?” she asked anxiously.“Yes, she’s out. It’s all settled, and Romilda withdrew the charges.”“Thank goodness.” Rose let out a long breath of relief.But when she noticed how uneasy Aaron looked, her suspicion grew. Rose realized instantly that there was no way Romilda would drop the charges so easily. She always wanted something in return.“Did Romilda ask for something, sir?” Rose’s face turned
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