I Was My Vampire Husband’s Substitute Until I Walked Away의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 10

Elena's POVThree years of marriage, and I had never seen Jason wait for anyone like this.He was always composed. Even when the elders of the royal vampire bloodline pressed him publicly, he could hold that air of dignified calm.But today he'd already glanced toward the entrance hall three times.His long fingers moved absently over his cufflinks. In those blood-red eyes was something he hadn't noticed in himself: anticipation.I stood half a step behind him, quietly straightening his collar.The moment my fingertips brushed his lapel, he turned slightly aside.I understood. He didn't like me too close.The lights inside were bright. My features stood out too clearly to look like hers.“Sorry.”I said it softly and lowered my hand.Jason glanced at me once, said nothing.He was in a black formal coat tonight, his features sharp and deep. Wherever he stood, he carried that air of untouchable elegance that came with being heir to the vampire throne.He was gentlemanly. Even without lov

Elena's POVOn Vicky's first night in the house, I slept alone, as expected.Vampires don't need sleep.But before this, every night, Jason would come and lie beside me. The lights off, he couldn't see my face clearly, which made it easier, I imagined, to pretend I was her.The room was very quiet.I lay alone in the wide bed, the space beside me empty.I'd thought I had long since made peace with his coldness.But in that moment I understood: even a little charity, if given enough times, can become something you depend on.Even warmth that wasn't meant for you.Even closeness that only existed because of your face.I had cherished it anyway, in my small, quiet way.In the first year of the marriage, nightmares came often.I'd dream of the day my mother died — my stepmother walking through the door with her daughter on her arm. My father cradling his new child and laughing. Turning to me with eyes that went cold, like I was a problem he hadn't solved.More often I'd dream of kneeling i

Elena's POVThe study door opened and I looked up.Jason stood in the doorway, still carrying the warmth from the fireplace downstairs. His expression had recovered its usual calm. His collar was flawless. His blood-red eyes gave nothing away.He was always like this.Just finished soothing another woman, and came to me composed enough to be decent.I stood up before he could speak.“No need to say anything. I'll agree to the divorce.”Jason went still.I kept my eyes down and continued.“My things are scattered; there are a few unfinished canvases in the studio. Give me half a day. I'll pack and be out.”Silence held the study for a long time.Long enough that I thought he hadn't heard me.Then his voice dropped.“You want to leave me that badly?”I paused.When I looked up, his face had gone slightly cold.I was confused.Why was he angry?Wasn't this exactly what he should have wanted?Vicky was back, divorced, with nowhere else to go, and she could still pull him off-balance withou

Elena's POVThe terrace air was cold.Distant lights dotted the garden. The night of the vampire domain always settled thick, like ink that wouldn't dissolve.I leaned against the railing and finally breathed.The noise of the reception was muffled behind the heavy glass doors.I closed my eyes and tried to find stillness.Then I heard Vicky's voice.Very soft.A catch in it, like crying.I opened my eyes.At the far end of the corridor, in the shadow, Jason and Vicky stood together.They hadn't seen me.Vicky's head was down, her shoulders trembling lightly.“Jason. I shouldn't have come back, should I?”“Every time I'm here, things go wrong between you and Elena.”Jason was quiet.Vicky looked up. Her crimson eyes were wet.“I just had nowhere left to go.”“I thought you wouldn't mind.”Jason's hand moved.He waited a long moment. Then reached out and pulled her into his arms.I stood not far away. Suddenly all the sound around me went distant.In that moment, the pain wasn't what I'

Elena's POVOutside, rain had started without my noticing.It knocked against the glass again and again.I looked at him.It took me a while to speak.“So you've always known.”Jason's expression shifted.“That's not what I meant.”I didn't acknowledge his protest.“You knew my family doesn't value me. Nowhere to go back to. No real choice except to stay here.”I tried to pull my hand back.He didn't let go.I looked down at his fingers.“So when you told me, after we married, that I could leave anytime. You knew I couldn't. Didn't you.”Jason dropped his head. Didn't answer.His silence was answer enough.I thought back three years.Shortly after the wedding, he'd told me: if this marriage doesn't suit you, you can leave at any time.I'd been grateful for that. I thought it meant he at least gave me a choice.I only understood later.A person with no way out had no choices. He'd been standing above me, tossing a token of grace my way. And I'd had to be thankful for his generosity.Jas