All Chapters of The CEO’s Substitute Bride: Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

A Marriage Without Rules By the time they returned to Blackwood Manor, neither Lena nor Adrian had spoken much. The silence between them felt different now. Not awkward. Not angry. Heavy. Lena sat in the passenger seat, staring through the window as the city lights passed by. Eleanor was alive. At least, she had been alive long enough to call them. And somehow, twelve years ago, she had known Lena. The question that frightened Lena most wasn’t who Eleanor was. It was who Lena had been to her. The gates of Blackwood Manor opened. Adrian drove inside and parked. Lena remained in the car. “Are you coming in?” he asked. She looked at him. “I need to ask you something.” Adrian waited. “Are there any more secrets?” His expression tightened. “About what?” “Everything.” She turned toward him. “Your father. My father. Sophia. Eleanor. Your mother. The agreement. Everything.” Adrian was quiet. Lena gave a bitter laugh. “That silence is becoming an answer.” “I don’t k

Chapter 24 — The Betrayal Begins Lena barely heard the rest of the security guard’s words. Eleanor was alive. Outside the gates. And she wanted to see her. “Where is she now?” Adrian asked. “Security has her in the reception area, sir. She refused to enter the main house.” “Keep everyone away from her. We’re coming.” Adrian ended the call. Lena was already moving. “Wait.” She turned. “What?” “We don’t know why she’s here.” “She’s the person we’ve been searching for.” “That doesn’t mean she isn’t dangerous.” Lena stared at him. “Neither did you.” Adrian frowned. “What does that mean?” “It means everyone connected to this mystery has lied to us.” She stepped closer. “My father lied. Sophia disappeared without telling me everything. Your family hid things. Even you kept information from me.” Adrian didn’t argue. “And now Eleanor suddenly appears at our gate.” “I know.” “So I’m going to talk to her.” “I’ll be beside you.” They walked toward the entrance togethe

She’s Alive “Finally.” The man’s voice came from somewhere in the darkness. “Now you’re asking the right question.” Lena’s heart slammed against her ribs. Adrian moved instantly. “Who are you?” No answer. Mrs. Collins whispered, “Mr. Blackwood…” “Stay behind me.” Adrian reached for his phone. The screen lit his face for a second. Then the lights came back on. The study was empty. Lena spun around. “Where did he go?” Adrian checked the windows. Locked. The door was still shut. He opened it. Two security officers were standing outside. “Did anyone pass you?” “No, sir.” Adrian’s expression hardened. “Then how did he get inside?” Neither officer answered. Lena looked down. The list was gone. Her stomach dropped. “The paper.” Adrian turned. “What?” “The list.” It wasn’t on the desk anymore. Someone had taken it while the lights were out. Mrs. Collins looked frightened. “This is getting worse.” Lena stared at the empty desk. “No.” Adrian looked at her.

The Truth About the Wedding Lena stared at Sophia. “My mother is hiding?” Sophia nodded. “I found evidence that she’s alive.” Adrian looked between the sisters. “Where?” “I don’t know.” Lena’s voice trembled. “You said she has been hiding all these years.” “Because she had to.” “From whom?” Sophia glanced around the dark road. “From the people who were looking for her.” Lena shook her head. “No. I need more than that.” Sophia stepped closer. “Then let’s get somewhere safe first.” ⸻ Back at Blackwood Manor, Adrian ordered additional security around the property. Sophia was taken to a guest room. Lena refused to leave her. For the first time since the wedding, both sisters sat together without pretending everything was fine. Lena looked at her. “Tell me everything.” Sophia sighed. “I’ll start with the wedding.” Adrian stood near the window. “I want to hear this too.” Sophia nodded. “The night before the wedding, I went through Dad’s study.” “Why?” “I foun

Three Families Nobody moved. Sophia’s phone continued ringing on the table. MOTHER. Lena stared at the screen. Her hands were shaking. “She knows I’m here.” Adrian reached for the phone. Lena stopped him. “No.” He looked at her. “I’ll answer it.” “No.” Lena picked up the phone herself. Sophia stepped closer. “Lena, be careful.” “I know.” She answered. “Hello?” For several seconds, there was only silence. Then a woman’s voice came through. “Lena.” Her knees nearly gave way. She knew that voice. Not from recent memories. From somewhere buried deep inside her childhood. “Mum?” The woman inhaled sharply. “You remember me.” Lena’s eyes filled with tears. “I’ve been trying to find you.” “I know.” “Where are you?” “I can’t tell you.” “Why?” “Because if I tell you where I am, they’ll find you.” Lena looked at Adrian. “Who?” Her mother was silent. Then she whispered, “Three families.” Lena frowned. “What?” “The Blackwoods. The Carters. The Vales.” So