Semua Bab Beyond A Substitute: Bab 71 - Bab 80

The final sunrise at the retreat spilled gold over the quiet grounds, touching the edges of cabins and curling into corners where memories lingered. It was the morning everyone had half-dreaded and half-anticipated—the return to the real world. At breakfast, the facilitators returned everyone’s phones, carefully labeled and fully charged. The moment Katherine held hers, it felt foreign in her hand—like holding a piece of her old life that no longer quite fit. Notifications flooded in: emails, texts, missed calls. But for now, she swiped them away and slid them into her bag. Kingsley was already on a call. “Yeah, Elijah, it’s me. I’m heading back today. Can you book me a flight to Manhattan this afternoon? I’ll text you the retreat coordinates so you can send a driver. Thanks, man.” He ended the call and looked over at Katherine. “My assistant’s sorting it out. I’ll be flying back this evening.” Katherine nodded. “Carolina and I are taking the retreat shuttle to Brooklyn. It’

The café was winding down for the day. The late afternoon sun slanted through the windows, painting golden streaks across the gleaming countertop where Katherine wiped down the last coffee ring with a soft cloth. The place smelled like roasted espresso and warm vanilla—comforting, familiar, her little sanctuary in the world. She glanced at the wall clock. Just fifteen more minutes and she could finally head home, sink into the couch, and maybe call Carolina to catch up about everything. It had been a long day. Just as she turned toward the sink, the bell above the front door chimed. She looked up. And her eyes widened. There stood Carolina, framed by the soft amber light of evening, holding a massive bouquet—bright pink peonies, white roses, tiny wildflowers—all exploding in vibrant color. In her other hand was a pastel gift bag, the kind tied with satin ribbons. Katherine blinked. “Whoa. Okay… What is all this?” Carolina grinned like she could barely contain herself. He

Kingsley didn’t even take off his coat when he got home. The front door slammed behind him, echoing into the modern, cold stillness of the mansion. Beth was in the living room, draped elegantly across the sectional, her legs curled beneath her in silk lounge pants and a cropped cashmere top. Her phone was in one hand, a glass of sparkling water in the other. A muted lifestyle vlog played on the massive wall-mounted screen, but she wasn’t watching it. She looked up slowly like he was interrupting something she didn’t care to pause. “Oh hey,” she said casually, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “You saw the post?” Kingsley didn’t speak right away. His eyes burned with disbelief as he moved further into the room. “Are you out of your mind?” Beth blinked, then gave a small, dismissive shrug. “Oh come on, Kingsley. Calm down. It’s just a post. I needed to give my followers something. It’s harmless.” “Harmless?” he repeated, his voice dangerously low. “You told the whole worl

It was late morning by the time sunlight filtered through Carolina’s cozy apartment in Brooklyn, casting golden streaks across the hardwood floor. Birds chirped softly beyond the windowpanes, and the smell of lavender-scented cleaning spray lingered in the air.Carolina was already up, dressed in leggings and an oversized tee, her hair twisted into a messy bun. She hummed absently as she moved around the living room, straightening magazines, fluffing the couch pillows, and occasionally glancing toward the closed guest room door where Katherine still slept.Movie night had ended in a tangle of blankets, popcorn bowls, and two half-empty wine glasses. The television had long gone dark, but the memory of their conversation still echoed in Carolina’s mind—Katherine’s worry, her confusion, the pain flickering in her voice when she talked about Kingsley. About the vow renewal announcement. About not knowing what to believe anymore.As Carolina reached for the coffee mug she’d left by the wi

The sun had just begun to sink behind the rooftops, casting a golden-orange haze across the quiet street where The Quiet Brew sat. The café’s “Closed” sign hung loosely on the door, and the warm smell of roasted coffee beans and cinnamon still lingered in the air as Katherine moved about inside, locking up the pastry display and turning off the espresso machine one last time.Outside, Carolina waited by the door, her arms crossed lightly, a cardigan draped over her shoulders. Her eyes followed Katherine fondly through the glass—graceful, steady, still carrying the weight of something unspoken.Katherine finally turned the key in the front door and stepped outside with a long, tired exhale. “Another day, another double-shot disaster,” she joked, pulling the keychain from the lock.Carolina smiled, falling into step beside her. “You’re still standing. That’s the win.”As they began walking toward the subway, the early evening breeze fluttered loose strands of Katherine’s hair. The stree