All Chapters of No Longer A Substitute : Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

Stella POVAs soon as the door closed behind Devon, the quietness inside the hotel suite settled around me again, but this time it no longer felt empty and suffocating like before. The room was alive now. Warm. Messy. Loud with tiny voices and the occasional clatter of utensils against plates. My children were here. My babies were finally here with me again after what felt like the longest nightmare of my life.For a moment, I simply stood there with my hand still resting against the door handle, trying to process the reality of it all. Morning sunlight spilled through the curtains, bathing the room in a soft golden glow while the scent of noodles and pancakes still lingered faintly in the air. Andrew and Andrea sat together at the dining table eating quietly, their tiny bodies looking smaller than usual in the oversized hotel chairs.My chest tightened painfully.They looked thinner.Tired.But they were safe.That was all that mattered.My legs suddenly gave out beneath me emotional

Chapter 119Estelle POVI stood in front of the mirror inside my bedroom, carefully dragging the sharp black eyeliner across my eyelids with steady hands despite the chaos still raging inside my chest. The bright vanity lights reflected against the expensive marble walls while soft music played faintly from the speakers hidden around the room.If someone walked in right now, they would never guess that less than an hour ago I had been screaming hysterically while destroying half my apartment.They would never guess plates still littered my kitchen floor in broken pieces.Or that I had cried so hard my chest physically hurt.I leaned closer toward the mirror, applying deep red lipstick slowly and precisely. My reflection stared back at me with cold perfection. Smooth skin. Carefully styled hair. Sharp makeup hiding every trace of emotional collapse beneath it.Perfect.Beautiful.Controlled.Exactly how everyone expected Estelle Laurent to look.A small smile curved onto my lips as I t

Stella POVI sat quietly beneath the shade of the large maple tree, the rough wooden bench cool beneath me despite the warmth of the evening sun pouring across the park in endless golden waves. The entire place looked so peaceful that it almost felt unreal, like one of those perfect family advertisements on television where nothing bad had ever happened and no one carried pain inside their chest. Children ran wildly across the grass with sticky ice cream-covered fingers while their parents laughed from picnic blankets spread beneath the trees, the sound of carefree joy floating softly through the air alongside the distant squeaking of swings and the faint music from a carousel nearby. Somewhere not too far away, a vendor roasted corn while another sold sugary drinks and fried snacks, and every time the warm breeze swept through the park it carried those scents toward me mixed with fresh grass and summer flowers blooming near the pathways.But despite all the beauty surrounding me, des

DEVON POV Before me is a long polished mahogany conference table. Seating in their high back leather executive chairs at the sides of the table are our twelve shareholders. Manger Noah from the marketing department stood in front of us, by the large display screen as he gave his presentation. Manager Noah pitched using an upcoming super model to advert for our fashion subsidiary. As he talked, I heard muffled coughs and the sounds of our secretaries typing away on their laptops. Also except Jonathan. I looked out the door to see if he's coming. The hallway was silent. From the fall to ceiling windows, I saw no one pass by. I cleared my throat and turned to the meeting, “Why should we use this model instead of our ambassador?” I questioned, cutting him off. He paused and stared at me for a moment, “I'll repeat again sir.” He walked closer to the table, backing the screen. “Sarah is young and upcoming, she'll help the company save money plus her younger fanbase will he

The Uber pulled up smoothly beneath the grand entrance of the hotel reserved for Stella by the award committee. As she stepped out onto the pavement, her gaze instinctively lifted toward the massive structure towering above her. The building seemed to disappear into the night sky, its glass walls reflecting countless city lights and the silver glow of the moon. Golden letters spelling the hotel's name gleamed above the entrance like a crown, while a line of sleek black luxury vehicles occupied the driveway, their engines humming quietly. Uniformed staff moved efficiently between arriving guests, opening doors, carrying luggage, and welcoming visitors with practiced smiles. The entire place radiated elegance and wealth.It was a level of luxury Stella had never personally experienced during her years living in America.For a moment, she simply stood there, taking it all in.Then she adjusted her coat, lifted her chin, and walked forward with quiet confidence. Her heels clicked softly a