Lahat ng Kabanata ng No Longer A Substitute : Kabanata 81 - Kabanata 90

STELLA POV“Oh, look at Andrew.”Alex’s voice filled the room the moment he walked in, far too comfortable for someone who hadn’t been invited into my space in the way he kept invading it.“Just look at how he’s staring at you,” he added, bending slightly as he peered into the stroller. “He’s like—this weird uncle, carry me wrong.”I narrowed my eyes. “He’s not staring at you. And don’t call yourself his uncle.”Alex straightened, placing a hand on his chest like he was personally wounded. “He’s staring because he wishes to aspire to be as handsome as me when he grows up. I’m just that good looking. Mi taya, you’re the only one who doesn’t see it.”I exhaled sharply. “Oh, but I do see it, Alex. Very clearly. Your… flirtatious neck and how much of a player you are.”His mouth twitched like he was trying not to laugh.“My baby will not be learning anything from you,” I added firmly. “Thank you very much.”From the corner, I kept scrolling through the tablet my uncle had sent me.He had

STELLA POV“Hello, beautiful lady.”I stopped mid-step.That voice was far too familiar.I turned slowly.Alex stood there like he had always belonged in that space—hands in his pockets, expression annoyingly relaxed, as if airports and award venues were simply extensions of his personal living room.“I knew you’d lead me to another beautiful lady,” he added, smiling slightly. “Beautiful women usually stick together.”My eyes narrowed immediately.“Alex,” I said, disbelief sharpening my tone. “What are you doing here? I thought you said you were never coming back to America.”He sighed dramatically, as if I had asked a very unreasonable question.“Yes,” he replied. “But you kidnapped my children.”I blinked. “I did not kidnap your children.”“My precious children,” he corrected, placing a hand over his chest. “What did you expect me to do? Stay away?”“They are not your children,” I said flatly.He tilted his head. “Emotionally? Debatable.”I crossed my arms. “How did you even find me

STELLA POV“Mom! Mom! Mom!”Andrea’s voice cut through the hotel suite the moment I stepped inside.I didn’t even fully set down my bag before Andrew joined in.“Mom, Mom, Mom—she can hear you!” he insisted, bouncing slightly on his heels.I exhaled slowly, already feeling the pressure of the evening settling in.“Act mature,” I said firmly, adjusting my dress as I walked further in.“We are!” Andrea protested immediately.“No,” I replied without looking at her. “You sound like a broken alarm clock.”Andrew gasped. “Mom!”I glanced at him. “I know you’re excited. But we are in a formal setting. You both need to behave.”Andrea crossed her arms. “I can be mature too, Mom.”“I know you can,” I said. “But here, both of you stay with your nanny at all times.”From the corner, Jenna straightened slightly. “Yes, ma’am.”“Mommy,” Andrew started again.I pointed gently at him without even turning fully. “No interrupting.”He shut his mouth instantly.“That’s better.”I adjusted my earring and

Scene 24 — Devon POV“Where the hell did she run off to with her little feet…”My phone rang mid-sentence.I stopped walking, pulling it up immediately.“Hello.”“Devon,” Jonathan’s voice came through sharply. “Where the hell are you? Didn’t you come here for Dr. Miller’s award?”“I don’t care about that right now.”“You’re about to cause a scene in front of the entire board. Focus.”“I said I don’t care.”A pause.Then—“Devon, listen to yourself.”“I’m busy.”“With what?”“With finding Stella.”Silence hit instantly.Then a low exhale. “You’re hallucinating again.”My grip tightened on the phone.“I saw her.”“No, you didn’t.”“Yes, I did.”“Stella isn’t there,” Jonathan said firmly. “You need to stop this. You’re projecting—”“She is here.”“Devon—”“And Dr. Miller?” I snapped. “He’s a woman, not a man.”“That’s not what the records say.”“I’ve met him before,” I said coldly. “He’s lying to everyone.”Jonathan went quiet for a moment.Then carefully, “Are you sure you’re not the one

STELLA POVThe corridor outside the private ward felt unusually cold, even with the hospital heating working overtime. I stood there for a moment, watching the door I had just come out of slowly settle back into silence.Inside, Grandma had already drifted off again.Or maybe she was just pretending not to hear me.That part… I couldn’t tell anymore.I adjusted my coat and exhaled slowly.“Still refusing to talk,” the nurse said softly beside me.“She spoke earlier,” I replied. “Just not to me.”The nurse hesitated. “She asked for her son again.”My jaw tightened slightly.“…Of course she did.”I stepped away from the ward, my heels clicking faintly against the polished floor.Behind me, the nurse continued speaking, but her voice faded as I turned the corner.I didn’t need the reminder.I already knew what she wanted.What she always wanted.Family.I stopped walking when my phone vibrated.Unknown number.I didn’t answer immediately.Instead, I stared at it for a long second… then r