All Chapters of Moon Reaper’s Substitute Bride: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

~CASSIAN~The house had finally quieted, the watchers' patrols slowing down just enough for me to slip away. I couldn't stay away any longer. Not after seeing the devastation on Aurora's face at dinner. Not after Seraphina's smug touches and the lies I was forced to endure. I'd had enough of it. Aurora didn't deserve this. She had to know the truth before she misunderstood me.I needed to see her. To hold her. To confess everything before these lies destroyed us both.My wife needed to understand that I was only doing this because I had no other choice. She needed to see my true feelings for her. At first, I believed keeping it to myself was better for her, but now I realize I was wrong. Terribly wrong. I should have told her a long time ago what she truly meant to me.I moved silently through the corridors, as quiet as I could possibly be until I reached her door. It opened without much of a sound. There she was, standing near the window, clearly unable to sleep as well. She had he

~AURORA~The hall was packed once again, the same Moon Reapers and nobles who had witnessed my marriage to Cassian now assembled for the divorce. Once again, Council officials were also present. I stood near the side, trying to stay calm, but every eye seemed to find me, making it hard to focus. It felt like they were all waiting for me to break down. My hands trembled at my sides as Cassian stood at the front, his expression difficult to read.He hadn't looked at me once since entering the room. Not a single glance in my direction. The distance between us felt wider than ever before. It seemed as though he was actively pushing me out of his mind, detaching emotionally while preparing himself to completely forget me—like I had never existed, erased from his memory."Today, the divorce between myself and Aurora will be finalized. The alliance with the Varkas kingdom must move forward with the true princess, Seraphina. This is for the good of our people and the peace we have fought to

~SERAPHINA~The private room my mother and I had claimed for the afternoon smelled of expensive wine and victory. This was it. Our little celebration until my wedding. I lounged on the sofa, glass in hand, finally allowing myself to savor the moment. Aurora was no longer Cassian's wife. The papers had been signed. I took a long, satisfied sip and let out a soft, delighted laugh. "You should have seen her face, mother. When she signed those papers. . .it was exquisite. That little broken look in her eyes. Her hand even shook. She looked like she was signing her own death warrant. I almost felt sorry for her." I paused, smiling wider. "Almost."I would never feel sorry for that girl. I enjoyed watching her suffer. Growing up, seeing her wish for my father to love her and for others to love her, only to realize they loved me, meant everything.My mother sat across from me, taking a sip from her glass.Her expression was beautiful to watch. "As expected. That girl has always been weak.

~CASSIAN~I had barely taken three steps toward the corridor leading to Aurora's chambers when the watchers blocked my path. Fuck. Every single time I tried to get to her since the fake divorce. They always stopped me. They were doing everything in their power to make the wedding happen without any issues.Three of them stood shoulder to shoulder like guards."Lord Cassian," the lead watcher said. "A moment. Please."My jaw clenched, "what is it?"Not being able to touch Aurora was beginning to affect me mentally. I felt like I would lose my mind soon."The council has finalized the wedding date. It will take place at the end of this week. You are expected to begin the necessary preparations immediately, alongside Lady Seraphina, of course."I stopped dead, power flaring so violently beneath my skin that the nearest torch flashed brightly. "End of the week?" The words came out as a low, dangerous snarl. "That's barely enough time to—""It is more than enough," another watcher cut i

~CASSIAN~I was losing my fucking mind.Across the banquet table, Vincent leaned in far too close to Aurora, his shoulder nearly brushing hers as he spoke in low, urgent tones. I watched every little movement with predatory focus as he angled his body toward her like he had every right to her attention.Aurora's face was pale, and still that bastard kept pushing. Kept talking. Kept trying to crawl back into the space that belonged to me.The cup in my hand cracked under the pressure of my grip. I couldn't look away. Every second Vincent spent that close to her felt like a wound on my heart. She was still mine. She was still my wife. She did not belong to him. I did not care that they were still mates. And yet she sat there believing I had discarded her, while that wolf tried to pick up the pieces.Seraphina's voice drifted toward me. "Cassian, darling, mother was just saying how beautiful the floral arrangements will look tomorrow. Don't you think the red roses will make a stunnin