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Home / Romance / No Longer A Substitute / Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

All Chapters of No Longer A Substitute : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

160 Chapters

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CHAPTER 30STELLA POVScene 1By the time I finished for the day, the lab had grown quiet.Most of the staff had already left. The bright lights still reflected off the glass beakers and polished steel equipment, but the usual chatter and footsteps were gone.I slipped my phone into my handbag and closed it carefully before sliding my notepad back into the top drawer of my desk. The papers were stacked neatly, the instruments wiped clean, everything exactly where it belonged.Another long day finished.My shoulders relaxed slightly as I walked out of the lab.The waiting room was nearly empty, only a few chairs pushed back from where the last patients and researchers had sat earlier. I passed through it and stepped into the main lobby.Immediately, something felt… unusual.Two men dressed in black stood beside a sleek black jeep parked directly in front of the building’s entrance.The vehicle was impossible to miss.Its polished surface reflected the late afternoon sun, and its tinted

Last Updated : 2026-03-15

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STELLA POVThe door closed behind Alejandro with a loud bang, leaving the room silent.I stood there for a moment, frozen.My face felt hot.Very hot.I pressed a hand to my cheek and frowned.Why was I blushing?It wasn’t as if anyone had never seen a woman half dressed before. Yet the memory of Alejandro leaning against the doorframe, that ridiculous grin on his face, replayed itself in my mind far too clearly.“Woah… mi Taya.”My cheeks burned even hotter.I groaned quietly and quickly finished changing. I pulled on a loose shirt and tied my hair back again, forcing myself to calm down.It was nothing.Just Alejandro being Alejandro.Still, I couldn’t shake the warmth lingering on my face.I took a breath and walked back into the living room.Alejandro was no longer playing with the twins.The children had gone to the dining table where room service had just delivered their food. They were happily eating while chatting to each other.Alejandro, however, stood near the couch.His he

Last Updated : 2026-03-16

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STELLA POVThe sharp sound of my alarm tore me out of sleep.I jolted upright immediately.No hesitation.No lingering in bed.“Andrew. Andrea. Wake up.”Both of them groaned in unison, burying themselves deeper into the blankets.“No…” Andrea mumbled.“Five more minutes,” Andrew added, his voice muffled.“No,” I said firmly, already pulling the curtains open.Morning light flooded the room.“We don’t have five minutes.”They both whined softly, dragging themselves up with heavy eyes and slow movements.I didn’t give them time to sink back into sleep.“We need to get ready. Now.”My mind was already moving ahead.Alejandro would be coming to pick them up.I had to get them dressed, fed, and out before—Before Devon got anywhere near them.The thought alone made my movements faster.I walked into the bathroom and turned on the water.“Come on,” I called.The twins shuffled in reluctantly.As I bathed them, my thoughts drifted back to last night.I had already changed the names register

Last Updated : 2026-03-17

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STELLA POV I opened the door and was immediately tackled to the floor with hugs from Andrew and Andrea. “Mommy!”I hugged them tighter. Oh I missed my babies! I thought I won't hold them again. Andrea lifted her head up from my tummy. “Where have you been! You weren't even picking any of our calls!”I can't stress them out. They're just babies.“My phone battery died, didn't uncle Alex tell you?” I lied. Tears prickled in my eyes.“No, you weren't picking up his calls either!” Andrew frowned and pulled away. His blue eyes glistened, his disappointed was visible. Crap! I can't count on Alejandro! Why would he let them worry about me?!“Ah! Well, I did later in the night and we spoke briefly.” I averted my gaze.“Mom, where were you?” she stomped her feet on the ground.She's adorable. My precious babies.I chuckled, “Mommy is sorry. Mommy misses you two.” I stretched out my arm to pull them closer but they stepped away.Andrea is wearing her cute flora gown and a bow in her jet bla

Last Updated : 2026-03-19

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“Thank you, Savannah, for taking care of them,” I said as I sat beside her on the balcony.The evening air was cool against my skin, a soft breeze brushing past us as the city lights flickered in the distance. Inside, I could hear the faint laughter of the twins, their voices rising and falling as they played.Savannah leaned back in her chair, one leg crossed over the other, her gaze calm as she looked at me.“You’ve been a lifesaver,” I added, exhaling softly. “Ever since our college years… you’ve always been there.”I gave a small, tired smile.“While I’ve just been a headache to you. Causing trouble everywhere I go.”Savannah snorted lightly.“I remember that being Estelle, not you,” she said without hesitation. “If she hadn’t used your identity back then, you wouldn’t have been expelled.”Her words made my fingers tighten slightly on the armrest.Memories I didn’t want came rushing back, sharp and unwelcome.Savannah continued, her tone softer now.“And if she hadn’t come between

Last Updated : 2026-03-19

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“Mom, please just come!” “Okay, okay,” I said as I stepped into the room. “What is it? What do you need from me, sweetie?” Andrea turned to me, her face scrunched up with determination. “Please teach me how to do makeup like you, Mom.” I blinked. Then I looked closer. Her face was a messy mix of colors that didn’t belong together. A thick layer of powder sat unevenly on her cheeks, clinging to some spots and missing others, leaving patches of her natural skin showing through. Bright red lipstick had been dragged far past the lines of her lips, smudged at the corners and faintly streaked across one cheek where she must have wiped her face.Dark eyeshadow coated her eyelids in heavy, uneven strokes, one side thicker than the other, with bits of shimmer dusted all the way up to her brows. A line of what looked like eyeliner wobbled across her lash line, dipping too low at one end and too high at the other, making her eyes look uneven.There were faint fingerprints across her face wh

Last Updated : 2026-03-20

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Stella POV“How are you doing tonight, Devon? Any pain?” I asked as I stepped into his private room.“Stella… you’re here.”His voice held a quiet relief. He tried to sit up too fast, then coughed, one hand bracing his chest as he composed himself. His eyes stayed on me, steady, almost searching.“Did you speak with Alex?” he asked.I paused, adjusting the sleeve of my coat. “No. Not yet. Why do you ask?”His gaze softened, but there was something firm beneath it. “Because I don’t like other men who are in love with my wife speaking to her.”I scoffed, shaking my head as I moved closer and sat beside him. “Funny how that is a no-brainer for you. But when you were doing the exact same thing while I was still your wife, I looked like the villain.”“First of all,” he said calmly, “Estelle was never in love with me.”I let out a dry laugh. “Wow. Congratulations. I thought you were blinded by love. That doesn’t change the fact that she wanted you.”“And yet I didn’t want her.” His voice dr

Last Updated : 2026-03-21

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STELLA POV “Yes, I’m currently in the airport,” I said, glancing around nervously. “My flight is in a few minutes. Now, soon I’ll be out of this country.” I tightened my grip on my phone. “Hurry up and come meet me, okay?” “Alright. Alright. Thank you for everything,” I added, my voice softening. “Truly… yes, I’ll immediately find out what this letter is all about.” “Yes, that’s all right,” I said quickly. My eyes widened suddenly. “Oh my gosh. No, no, no, no, no…” “What is it? What is going on?” Savannah asked through the phone. “It’s Devon,” I whispered, panic rising. “He is here. He has tracked me all the way here.” I pressed my hand against my chest. “What do I do? Savannah, I don’t want to lose my babies. Savannah, what do I do?” “Enough, Stella,” she said firmly. “You are going to be a Madison. You have to be strong to protect your babies.” “Panicking will do you nothing,” she continued. “Take a deep breath, Stella. Take a deep breath and stay calm.” “You’

Last Updated : 2026-03-22

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STELLA POV I sighed. “I cannot deny that. When are you coming?” “I have something I have to tell you,” she said, her voice trembling. “What is it?” I asked, my grip tightening on the phone. “I have been fired from my job,” she said. “Stella, Devon accused me of taking bribes, and I’m currently in trial. I could lose my license.” I went silent. “I worked so hard for it… all those years in medical school,” she added, her voice cracking. “I’m so sorry,” I said softly. “Why is he doing this?” “He found that I helped you,” she replied. “And wants me to tell him where you are.” She paused. “I don’t think I can support you anymore, Stella. I promise I won’t tell him where you are, but it seems this will be my last call with you.” “No,” I said quickly. “Just tell him where I am. Better yet, I’ll return. I’m coming back—” “If you dare come back, then we are no longer,” she cut in sharply. The line went dead. ***** “Twins,” I repeated softly, staring at the doctor

Last Updated : 2026-03-23

Editing notice

hey there! it's Qior-Qior the author! you must have noticed by now some inconsistency in the chapters lately. I am truly sorry for the inconvenience but I'm currently editing the chapter and adding more scenes so some chapters will be pushed forward will some will be removed entirely. bear with me for a little while so I ensure you get the best story for your money, all your payments will remain in tact! thank you for reading and everything should be done by 27th of the month. please reread from chapter 9 to read all the edits made.

Last Updated : 2026-03-24

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