บททั้งหมดของ Beyond A Substitute: บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

The night after the proposal, Kingsley sat alone in his study, staring into the fireplace. The flames danced quietly, casting golden light across the room, but his mind was racing too fast to notice. His fingers drummed nervously on the armrest. His heart pounded, not with excitement this time — but with dread. He had to tell them. He had to tell his parents. For a long moment, he sat frozen, trying to gather the right words, the right explanations. And then — with a deep, shaky breath — he stood, smoothing a hand down his shirt and heading toward the grand, double doors at the end of the hall. Behind those doors, he knew, his parents were waiting. The family’s kitchen was nothing like a normal home kitchen. It was enormous — polished marble counters, gleaming brass fixtures, long wooden shelves filled with expensive spices and rare ingredients. Chefs usually worked here during the day, preparing elaborate meals for the family and guests. But tonight, the room was empty

It was late afternoon when the sleek black car pulled up outside the quiet house. Katherine stood at the window, her heart clenching the moment she saw who stepped out. Kingsley’s mother. Tall, graceful, dressed in an elegant cream coat, sunglasses shielding her sharp eyes. Two assistants followed behind, one carrying a delicate handbag, the other holding a tablet. Katherine’s pulse spiked. She hadn’t expected this — not today, not like this. She hurried to smooth her hair, pressing her hands to her chest to steady her racing heart as the doorbell rang. Moments later, she opened the door. “Mrs. Adewale,” Katherine whispered softly. Kingsley’s mother removed her sunglasses slowly, her perfectly arched brows lifting slightly. “Katherine.” Her voice was smooth, polite — but cool. “May I come in?” Katherine stepped aside, her throat dry. “Yes, of course.” Inside, the atmosphere was stiff, uncomfortable. Kingsley’s mother moved gracefully through the living room, he

A few years had passed since the grand wedding that splashed across the covers of every major magazine. Kingsley and Beth had become one of America’s most talked-about power couples—young, striking, and billionaire elite. Their mansion was a fortress of luxury, filled with priceless art, smart technology, and a view of the city skyline that took your breath away. To the world, their life looked perfect. But inside, the silence was louder than any crowd’s applause. Beth’s days were a carousel of business meetings, influencer deals, and carefully curated social media posts. Her brand had grown so massive that she had three assistants just to handle her online presence. She was always glowing, always performing. Kingsley, on the other hand, was slowly shrinking inside his own home. He would come home to an echo, not a welcome. The house smelled like expensive candles and polished marble, but it didn’t smell like warmth. Not like the subtle lavender Katherine used to light after a l

Kingsley sat in his office, elbows resting on the desk, eyes flickering between spreadsheets and unread emails. He was trying—really trying—to focus, but his mind wouldn’t stop drifting. The silence in the room felt heavier than usual. It wasn’t the kind of silence that brought peace. It was the kind that echoed with tension.A light buzz came from the intercom.“Sir,” came the voice of his security officer, “your secretary’s on her way up.”“Okay,” Kingsley replied, voice low.Moments later, his secretary stepped into the room with a file in hand. “These are the updated security clearances for the Forbes team arriving tomorrow,” she said smoothly, laying it on his desk. “Is there anything else you need?”He shook his head. “That’s all for now.”She hesitated for a second, then smiled bashfully. “Sir… I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but… your wife is really lucky. I mean, wow.”Kingsley blinked. “What do you mean?”She chuckled softly, fiddling with the tablet in her hands. “I f

The sun filtered through the tall windows of the sleek, glass-walled office, casting soft streaks of light across the polished floor. Kingsley sat at his desk, tie loosened, eyes fixed on a blank page before him. He hadn’t really worked all day. His mind had been circling the same question like a hawk: Was she really pregnant? And if so… where is the child? A knock. He looked up. “Come in.” The door opened, and Nathan Caldwell, his private investigator, stepped in with a neutral, unreadable face. He carried a leather folder and closed the door behind him. “Nathan,” Kingsley said, trying to sit straighter. “You found something?” Nathan gave a small nod and walked forward, laying the folder on the desk but not opening it yet. “Yes. I did.” Kingsley waited. The silence between them felt thick. Nathan exhaled. “Beth was pregnant.” Kingsley’s throat tightened. The words hit like a blunt strike to the chest—even though he’d suspected it, hearing it aloud still felt like betr