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Home / Romance / No Longer A Substitute / Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

All Chapters of No Longer A Substitute : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

43 Chapters

11

STELLA POV I held the phone tightly in my hands like I was going to drop it. It was a possibility with everyone brushing past me. “Yes, I’m currently in the airport. My flight is in a few minutes.” I replied to Savannah as I dragged a luggage Savannah gave me. We went shopping together so I had things to wear once I arrived in Colombia. “Soon I’ll be out of this country.” I'll be free soon. Free to understand everything and live a different life and take care of my child, my only family. I sighed. “hurry up and come meet me in Colombia. Okay?” I listened as she nagged me with instructions on what to do there when I arrived. “All right. All right.” “Thank you for everything. Truly.”My voice softened, almost lost in the noise around me. I stood by the boarding pass, eagerly waiting for my flight to be announced so I can leave this country for good. I could not say goodbye to Madam Vanessa, my father, my mother or even Estelle. Will they miss me when I'm gone?

12

“I’m expecting twins.” I sat still on the hospital bed, my hands crutched my stomach. You've got to be kidding me? Right? I stared wide eyes at the doctor and he gave me awkward smile. Two children? How will Manage two kids on my own? One would be a hassle but I was willing to make it work but then two? “Yes, miss, congratulations.” The doctor said, flipping through my file. “You and your husband. You are truly blessed.” Blessed? Has anyone genuinely smiled and thought I was blessed hearing I'm pregnant? No! Especially not their father. He wasn't happy at all when I heard the news. I can still remember the way his face contorted into a deep scowl like I just insulted his being. My heart aches as the image appeared in my head. The room feel quiet, filled only with the steady beeping of machines. I have no money?! I don't think I'll be able to get a job! No one! No one at all! Even Savannah has left me on my own here. These babies, just how will I care for them?

13

Stella POV Dear Samantha and Sandra, This is Constantine, your biological mother. I know I haven't done anything for you to have the honor of calling you your mother but please believe me when I say I love you both so much. From the moment you stopped crying in my arm and to the moment I will draw my last breath, I will always love you. I know you must have lived a hard life up until you read this letter, after all I know the person I unfortunately gave you to. By now, you must have been separated and lived without knowing each other just as Vanessa wanted. I unfortunately do not know who is reading this. Is it Samantha, Sandra or both of you? But my guess would be Samantha, my precious daughter. You came out first with curly hair and green eyes. You were the most stubborn, crying loudly every night. I truly hope it is you, alive and well. You must have lived with another woman. Or sent to an orphanage if your father kept to his words to protect you. If you're reading thi

14

STELLA POV I dragged the suitcase along behind me. It was light. Savannah had taken me shopping before I traveled, but she could not afford much. I never expected more. Even the little she gave felt like something to hold on to. “Yes, this is everything I brought.” I set my luggage down. “There isn’t much.” my face dropped. Before I could react, Andres stepped forward and took the suitcase from my hand. His expression softened, then brightened. “Dear, it's fine if you don’t have much.” He smiled gently. “Uncle…” The word felt foreign on my tongue. I hesitated before saying it, unsure if it was too soon or I would just be making things awkward between after all, I'm already a grown woman. But I had never had someone like him before—someone who treated me like I belonged. His eyes lit up, his cheek redden then he looked across the street, “Do you want to grab something to drink before we return to the villa?” I nodded and we walked side by side down the street. “I’m so hungry

15

STELLA POV I tapped my index finger against the back of my phone as I scanned the café. The afternoon crowd was heavy. Every window seat was already taken, so I settled for the nearest table. “You—you’re sure he’ll be here, uncle?” I leaned forward slightly, my fingers wrapping around the edge of the table. “Of course. My private investigator is very thorough. That’s how I found you… and where you’re staying.” I paused at that, then exhaled slowly. “All right… all right. I’ll trust you. I’ll just sit and wait.” My eyes drifted toward the café entrance. Since I arrived in Colombia, Uncle had done more than I expected. He taught me Spanish himself, slowly and patiently. He bought what I needed without making me feel like a burden. He even asked about my plans and future goals—something no one had done before. But he wouldn’t let me work until I gave birth. He gave me time to think and to plan. And I know exactly what I need to do. The waitress approached, and I looked up.

16

STELLA POV “Thank you for the cake. We'll enjoy it and welcome you to the neighborhood,” a voice called out cheerfully. The door shut in front of me. I moved to the next door, plate still in hand. I knocked lightly, shifting the plate in my hands. “It’s me… your new neighbor. I’m sharing a little slice of cake with my neighbors… since I just moved in.” Silence. I knocked again then I heard some scuffling inside the room. His voice rang out before I could knock again. “That’s not a tradition here.” a voice said. The door opened slightly. I saw his face peek through the slightly ajar door, a figure moving behind him. “You must be from America.” The door opened wider. “It’s you again!” Alejandro exclaimed. My smile froze in my face. Now that I'm here, I have nothing to say. “How come I’m seeing you twice now?” he asked. “We didn’t hook up once before… or did we?” I raised a brow, “No, we did not.” “Then why are you stalking me?” The corners of my mouth tightening. Wh

17

STELLA POV 8 MONTHS LATER It had been here since I started the exam, and now I was back again. I was nervous, hoping I still remembered everything I had learned and prepared for. “If the coefficient is—” The pain hit like lightning, stabbing through my lower abdomen. The paper before me blurred. My knees buckled slightly. Hands pressed instinctively against my stomach. “What… what’s happening right now?” I looked down at the exam papers again. A hot warmth stream down my thighs and legs, forming a pool on the floor. I shouldn’t have come to write this exam today. It was my due week. I had known it, but I didn’t want to miss my exam. I had thought: since I hadn’t given birth yesterday, surely today I could manage. But now— My stomach clenched again, unrelenting What do I do? What do I do? How do I get to the hospital? The pain was unbearable. Why did it hurt this much? What could I do to relieve it? I can't stand it. I wanted the pain gone, but I also needed to give

18

STELLA POV I left the twins with Jenna again, making sure my face stayed firm and disappointed so they would not run off again. I let my brows pull together. I pressed my lips tight. I did not soften my eyes when Andrew tried to peek at me from the side. The hall around us glowed under the wide crystal chandeliers. Warm light poured down in soft gold waves and rested on everything it touched. It slid over the polished marble floor, over the tall white pillars, over the round tables dressed in ivory cloth. The scent of roses from the centerpieces mixed with sweet perfume and the sharp smell of sparkling wine. Music drifted through the air, soft strings and piano, steady and slow. Andrew stood in his small black suit, shoulders straight but eyes restless. His black hair was brushed neatly back, smooth and shiny under the light. The bow tie at his collar sat perfectly centered, though he kept touching it as if it bothered him. Andrea stood beside him in her emerald dress, the fabric f

19

STELLA POV I met up with Jenna near the side hallway that led away from the main hall. The music from the ballroom drifted faintly down the corridor, softer now, mixed with the echo of heels and distant laughter. The golden glow from the chandeliers did not reach this far. The hallway lights were cooler, white and steady, casting sharp shadows along the cream walls. Jenna stood there alone. Her hands were clasped tightly in front of her. Her blush dress looked slightly wrinkled now, as if she had been moving too quickly. A few strands of hair had escaped from her neat bun and clung to her forehead. Her chest rose and fell fast. The twins were not with her. “Where are Andrew and Andrea?” I called out hurriedly, my voice bouncing off the narrow walls. “I’m so sorry, ma’am,” she said, her voice cracking. Her eyes looked glossy, close to tears. “I tried to stop them, but it seems they planned this all along. They ran off in different directions, and I didn’t know who to go after fi

20

STELLA POV “Stella!” I yelled as I kicked down doors one by one, the heavy wood slamming hard against the walls. The sound echoed through the hallway, loud and sharp, mixing with the faint music drifting from the ballroom. The corridor lights were bright and white, nothing like the warm glow inside the hall. They cast harsh shadows under my eyes and along the floor. My polished shoes slid slightly on the smooth marble as I moved quickly from door to door. The air here smelled plain, faintly of cleaning spray and dust, without the perfume and wine from the main event. The force in my chest felt familiar. This gave me déjà vu. I was back at her mother’s house years ago, moving through room after room, calling her name. The curtains had been half drawn that day. The living room smelled of old books and brewed coffee. Her suitcase had been gone. The silence had been louder than any scream. Then the airport. The memory hit harder. The bright white airport lights. The rolling sound

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