All Chapters of Beyond A Substitute: Chapter 61 - Chapter 70

The hall was warm with amber light when Katherine and Kingsley stepped inside. Long tapestries draped the windows in calming earth tones, and two tall glass dispensers sat on a linen-covered table near the door—one filled with cucumber-mint water, the other with hibiscus iced tea. A row of handmade clay cups stood beside them, mismatched and charming. Other couples were already arriving in slow waves—some holding hands, some walking apart. Quiet chatter filled the room like a low, cautious hum. It wasn’t loud. But it wasn’t silent either. And at the far side, seated close on a pair of floor cushions, were Carolina and Devon. Carolina noticed them first and smiled, giving a small wave. Devon glanced up and offered a subtle nod. His hand rested loosely on Carolina’s knee, and for a moment, he didn’t move it. Kingsley lifted his hand in return—something between a wave and a greeting only Devon would understand. Katherine gave a quiet smile, her eyes lingering on Carolina’s for a brea

They sat just outside Cabin F, warm mugs nestled in their palms, their bodies tucked into knitted sweaters against the light chill of the morning. The breeze was soft, the kind that felt like a whisper of yesterday. From their vantage point, the forest stretched wide and quiet, the sky a pale blue canvas streaked with clouds like soft brushstrokes. Carolina nudged Katherine’s shoulder gently. “You know… when we got here? I genuinely thought I was just going to detox my soul, drink green smoothies, and maybe cry in a forest or something.” Katherine let out a laugh, light and incredulous. “Same. I mean, I literally packed three journals. Three. Who needs three journals?” “Apparently someone who was about to fall in love,” Carolina teased, eyes gleaming. They paused, letting the silence bloom around them. “It’s crazy,” Katherine said softly, “how I came here running from heartbreak, from guilt, from… everything. And somehow, I found him again. Not just Kingsley—but the man he

The sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting the retreat in an amber hue, warm and soft. Katherine and Carolina walked side by side, laughter lingering faintly from a shared joke they could barely remember now. “We should go see the boys,” Carolina said, brushing her fingers through her hair. “They’re probably still lounging around somewhere.” Katherine smirked. “Cabin E?” “Let’s go.” Their footsteps crunched gently on the gravel path as they turned toward the men’s cabin. The evening air smelled faintly of wild mint and woodsmoke—fresh, calm, quiet. The kind of quiet that feels like something important is about to happen. As they reached Cabin E, they spotted Devon just ahead, fumbling with the key at his door. Carolina called out softly, “Hey, Devon!” He turned, startled but quickly recovering. “Hey,” he said, shoving the key into the lock and straightening. “How’re you doing?” she asked casually, but there was a flicker of something under her voice—a hint of tensi

The sun had risen softly that morning, not in its usual triumphant blaze, but as a gentle, golden hush over the trees. The air was still cool, tinged with the scent of dewy pine needles and the sweet breath of the lake. The retreat’s morning bells rang lightly in the distance—three slow chimes—signaling that breakfast had ended and the morning mindfulness activity was about to begin. The yoga mats had already been unrolled in a semicircle on the soft grass clearing nestled beside the glade. It was a sacred spot now—quiet, surrounded by trees that swayed just slightly as if listening to the silence themselves. Birds chirped overhead. Some participants stood stretching, while others sat cross-legged, eyes closed, soaking in the quiet that only nature could give. Katherine and Carolina walked slowly toward the open space, side by side. Both wore soft pastel colors—Katherine in a lavender tank and loose white cotton pants, her hair braided loosely down her back; Carolina in a buttery

The massage pavilion was bathed in the soft glow of candles flickering gently in the evening breeze, filtering sunlight into soft golden beams. Aromas of lavender, eucalyptus, and sandalwood lingered in the air. Calming music—barely a whisper of harp and ocean waves—played in the background. Each couple had their own space for the Day 6 Couple Track program; Celebration of Love, a cushioned mat on the polished wooden floor, surrounded by flickering candles and scattered rose petals. The first activity was Partner Given Massage Kingsley waited there, already barefoot, his shirt folded neatly beside him. He looked up as Katherine stepped into the space, barefoot as well, her eyes wide with the hush of the atmosphere. The faintest smile curved her lips. He sat cross-legged on the warm wooden floor, watching Katherine approach with a tender smile. Her bare skin glowed softly in the candlelight and the thin silk robe she wore barely covered the curves he’d longed to explore again. He