Share

Chapter 32

Author: Lana West
last update Last Updated: 2024-10-29 19:42:56
The car pulled up to the house, and Christine spotted Ethan peering out from his bedroom window, likely waiting impatiently for her return. The moment his eyes fell on her, he darted down the stairs and out the door, making a beeline for the car where she stood.

"Mommy!" He wrapped his arms around her legs with all the strength his small body could muster.

'So this is what pure happiness feels like!' Christine thought to herself, a surge of joy washing over her.

She scooped Ethan up into her arms, pressing a lingering kiss on his forehead. It seemed as though the scent of his hair alone had the power to erase her worries. Despite all her problems, he was her greatest blessing.

"Oh, baby, you're getting so big! I can barely lift you!" She feigned a disappointed tone.

A wide grin spread across Ethan's face, his smile revealing a few missing teeth. He had never looked more endearing, his joy radiating from his eyes.

"Yes, Mommy, I'm not a kid anymore!"

She chuckled. "I see that. I'
Lana West

To my amazing readers, I hope you like the story. If you enjoy it, please don't forget to vote! All my love, Lana

| 38
Locked Chapter
Continue to read this book on the APP
Comments (9)
goodnovel comment avatar
Liliams Roman
love to read it
goodnovel comment avatar
Shirea Lemons
Did Simon get hurt badly or killed ?
goodnovel comment avatar
Candyce Stolley Poortinga
Stuff is dragging on makes it boring
VIEW ALL COMMENTS

Related chapters

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 33

    A sudden wave of panic squeezed Christine's heart, causing it to beat against her ribcage like a trapped bird. She pressed her eyes shut simultaneously as she tightened her hold on Ethan, pulling him closer into the safety of her embrace. "Mommy!" The frightened call from her son brought her back, his voice laced with a heart-wrenching mix of fear and worry. "Daddy... Daddy's hurt!" Her eyes sprang open, widening in shock and terror at the sight before her. Hunter sprawled on the ground, Simon standing nearby, his expression one of pure torment. From the looks of it, Hunter had shoved Simon out of harm's way, receiving the full impact himself. "No, sweetheart! He's fine, just...just resting a bit," she managed to stammer out, her voice sounding alien even to her own ears. "Mommy!" "You'll see, sweetheart! You'll see!" She tried to reassure him, her own heart trembling with fear. The driver appeared ghostly pale, yanking at his own hair in distress. "I didn't do anything, I didn't

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 34

    Standing face-to-face with her stepmother after all these years felt surreal, almost alien. She had rehearsed this moment in her mind countless times, her imagination always casting Elenora as a formidable, intimidating figure - the woman who had stolen her father, her inheritance, her life. Yet the reality before her was starkly different from her mental renderings. Elenora, who once exuded arrogance and a domineering confidence that loudly echoed power, now seemed... diminished. Perhaps it wasn't so much Elenora changing, but Christine herself who had grown stronger, more resilient over the years. The once daunting stepmother no longer wielded the power to terrorize her as she once did. Those days were long gone, relegated to the dusty corners of the past. A tableau of disbelief and shock etched itself onto Elenora's face as she absorbed Christine's presence, her eyes widening almost comically. Gone was the timid, vulnerable girl who once trembled beneath her tyrannical shadow, re

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 35

    'Step aside? I am in her way? She has the nerve to boss me around?' Disbelief swirled in Elenora's mind, causing her to question the validity of her own senses. She felt as though she were in some bizarre hallucination. It was the only plausible explanation for the audacity on display. A sneer twisted her features as she stared at Christine. "And where exactly do you presume you're going?" Her lips formed a thin, hard line, an unmistakable sign of her mounting irritation. Exasperated, Christine didn't hold back. "Out of my way!" With a forceful shove, she sidestepped Elenora and entered the premises, her ears tuning out the incensed shouting fading into the background. Then, she began her search, her gaze scanning every room, every corner. Elenora, trailing behind, looked on with wide-eyed shock at her stepdaughter's brazen behavior. 'Where is Hunter?' she wondered. 'Wasn't he supposed to be home resting? Where could he have disappeared to? I will turn this place upside down if I

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 36

    In the complex game of love, all was fair. That was the conviction Simon had held onto, at least. Love justified the means in its pursuit, he believed, and so he acted upon it. After bidding Christine farewell, he found himself dialing Hunter's number, masking his real intention under the guise of a casual check-up on his older brother's health. However, his motives ran deeper, with an ulterior motive lurking beneath the surface of his concern. Upon hearing Hunter grumble about his confining bed rest, Simon grasped at the opportunity to extend an invitation for a brotherly chat at a local cafe. The real intent was to evaluate and potentially manipulate the dynamics of his brother's relationship with Christine. Simon was no fool. He had observed the subtle shift in Christine’s eyes when he revealed his brother's marital status. The mere thought of her changing her mind about their newly formed bond sent a chill of anxiety through him. Seeing Hunter's bruised and battered image, the

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 37

    "Oh, she has taken her leave, I see!" Elenora's voice came out feather-light and deceptively kind, though she failed to mask the sigh of palpable relief that slipped out. Hunter's gaze then shifted to Martha, his eyes studying her with newfound curiosity before voicing his nagging question. "Martha, you never mentioned having a stepsister before. Was she at our wedding? Have I perhaps met her before?" There had always been a sense of déjà vu lingering around Christine, but after failing repeatedly to pinpoint why she seemed familiar, he had cast it aside. 'Not at the wedding, but in the hotel room on our wedding night,' Martha's inner voice bitterly reminded her. Christine had been the first to lay claim to what was supposed to be hers, and she, Martha, had handed him to her rival on a silver platter. "No, she didn't attend the wedding, and you didn't meet her before. As I recall, she said she had other commitments," Martha explained, trying to keep her voice steady. "Our shared hi

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 38

    To say that this unexpected turn of events had caught Christine off guard would be an understatement. Regardless of how astoundingly intelligent her little angel was, at the end of the day, he was still a child. Like any child, he reacted impulsively the moment he noticed something that disrupted his peace of mind. And she had only made matters worse by accusing him of stalking. The fact that Ethan was a prodigious hacker was a secret tightly guarded by both Christine and Ethan. If word got out about his unusual skill, who knew what could happen? Besides, it was illegal. She had made numerous attempts to deprive him of this habit, but to no avail. Perhaps, she thought, she might have better luck once he was older. However, she had managed to extract a promise from him to keep it a secret, like a playful game that only the two of them were privy to. But right now, she had to rectify the situation as quickly as possible. Her usual composed demeanor was on the verge of collapsing when

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 39

    Christine couldn't help but roll her eyes as she read through the text messages sent by Jake. His revelation was anything but surprising; it was the exact scenario she had already predicted in her mind. His text read, "There's a man poking around, asking questions about you. You were right to warn me about this. How did you see it coming?" A sense of distaste filled her as she thought about the reason behind her forewarning. "Let's just say," she replied, "that it wasn't exactly rocket science. My stepmother is as predictable as they come." Jake then asked, "Do you want me to intervene and stop him?" She pondered for a moment before responding, "Why bother? Should we stop him from earning his paycheck? As far as I'm concerned, I have nothing to hide." "But are you certain? What if he digs up that one particular incident?" Jake asked, a hint of anxiety seeping into his message. Christine, however, was not fazed. "Even if he does, there's no solid evidence left. You made sure of th

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 40

    In the confines of her mind, Christine found herself revisiting a particular question: 'Is my Ethan a little angel or a little devil?' It certainly wasn't the first time this thought had surfaced in her consciousness. Yet, he was undeniably her pride and joy, her world. It was her darling child who had been insistent that she adorned this specific red dress for the evening. The realization of his motive now dawned on her. Ethan must have seen Martha in the identical attire. While Christine had categorically forbidden him from spying on Hunter, she had simultaneously requested him to upgrade their home's security system. Undeniably, Ethan must have sneaked a peek at the trio departing the house. While their advanced home system respected privacy, not having any cameras in the bedrooms, there were however surveillance points located in the hallways. "Wow, is this a favorite dress among ladies?" Simon chuckled, fully embodying his self-appointed role as the 'funny brother'. "Or was it

Latest chapter

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 95 - Last Chapter

    Three months have passed since Hunter’s childhood home was blessed with the laughs of an ass kicking mother, charming father and adorable little brat. Loukas, a proud grandfather, was visiting them often, after his relationship with Christine was rebuilt to one of a father and daughter. It was one particular day when Christine’s feelings were all over the place. She was staring at the papers in her hands, and multiple emotions were spreading through her body. Her suspicions were confirmed, she was pregnant. Indeed, black letters on white paper were clearly stating that she was two months pregnant with Hunter’s child. A blessing from the heavens. This time, it was bound to be different. This time, she had support from him, the love of her life. Tears of joy were forming in her eyes, she could not remember the last time she cried of happiness, if ever. She could already imagine Ethan’s thrill to play with a sibling, she c

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 94

    Fuming with rage, Elenora launched at her daughter, strangling her neck. “You did what, you wretched girl?”Choking, Martha cried out. “Help! Somebody… Help me! She is trying to kill me!”In no time, an officer interfered and separated the two women, before something disastrous would happen. He took Elenora away, with the promise that her recent act will be added to her long list of criminal offenses.Still struggling to breathe normally, Martha shouted. “You will rot in jail, mother! I know enough information to assure you of that! And don’t forget that Christine has the proof that you hired a hitman to eliminate her!”Heartbeats later, inside the interrogation room, she started her confession.“Are you aware that you are admitting to complicity by confessing your mother’s crimes? You had knowledge of every one of her crimes and did not report her. That, until now.”In

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 93

    Unbearable silence was engulfing the room, there were only Christine, Hunter and Loukas left. Elenora was practically dragged outside by the police, while she shouted and threatened all the way to the car. Christine believed that watching Elenora in predicament would bring her fulfillment, but it was not like that. Certainly, her being punished was bound to bring some sort of satisfaction, but that didn’t change the past, the hurt and desolation that she felt because of that horrible woman. And to find out the shocking truth about her biological father, a truth that Elenora knew from the very start, that was… Well, that was backstabbing at a whole new level. The mere idea was making her sick to her stomach. After careful consideration, Loukas decided to take the lead. “The two of you seem to have much to talk about as well, so I’m going to say just a few words. In private, if that is possible, Christine!” Hunter placed an affection

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 92

    In a twinkling, her world crumbled into small little pieces, leaving her completely broken inside.Everything was in a blur, the pain of betrayal stinging her chest. Reaching a hand out to Jake, she leaned on him for support for a few good seconds.In all honesty, it would have been less painful if someone would have pulled her heart out and stabbed the poor organ with a million daggers.“Is it true?” Anger and hurt were burning in her eyes. “TELL ME!” She cried out, walking to where Loukas was standing and clamping her fingers in his jacket.He met her accusing regard with silence, yet his entire demeanor was suggesting he was guilty.“Why are you quiet? I just heard you! Am I wrong?” She glared at him in outrage.“No, you are not wrong. You are my biological daughter.” He declared shutting his eyes close, his voice holding strong emotions.Her heart sank i

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 91

    A press conference was scheduled by Fame Media to publicly apologize for sharing unverified information that led to undeserved public slander. As a consequence of their actions, the victim suffered moral damage, as well as monetary losses. Though CDE Group shares’ price plummeted only for a few hours, Christine demanded compensation, and her lawyers succeeded in securing a more than satisfactory amount. “Fame Media takes full responsibility for the damage caused by spreading fake news. In the past, we took pride in providing the best accurate information to our followers, therefore we are deeply ashamed of the recent events. After compensating the victim by paying the requested price, we are sad to announce to you that we will close our doors for the time-being. In the last decade, our followers have been like a second family for us, but mistakes must be punished. Speaking of that, we filed a lawsuit against Elenora Carter. As you may be a

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 90

    A low moan sounded in his chest, it was all the approval he needed in order to ravish her, to appease the hunger that screamed to be gratified. Intoxicated with lust, their hands were roaming freely on each other’s body, while their tongues battled for dominance. Erotic moans filled the room, and they didn’t even start the love making session properly.It was just the warm up. There was no more reluctance, only complete surrender to their sexual cravings, their need for each other. It was when Hunter settled his manhood to her entrance that they suddenly stiffened. There was some noise outside the room. Footsteps. Then the door opened widely and a small silhouette appeared near the bed. Rubbing his eyes, he climbed into the bed, his eyes darted from his mommy to his daddy in confusion. It was the nightmare of any parents, to be caught red handed by their child. Good thing that they were covered by the sheets. “Mommy, w

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 89

    Christine made several attempts in reaching Hunter, but his phone was off, her calls going directly to voicemail. ‘Weird. I hope everything is fine.’ Pacing the room, making holes in the floor, the tension was building up inside, eating her alive. What if something happened? He should have delivered her child by now. Her intuition told her that something was off. Or maybe she was just nervous, it was understandable, after all she went through. In the wake of such an excruciating day, she needed to have Ethan in her arms, he was her most prized possession, her pride and joy. Stealing glances through the window from time to time, she finally spotted Hunter getting out of the car, then scooping a sleepy handsome boy in his arms. The boy’s small arms locked behind his daddy’s neck. It was an image that pulled at her heartstrings, sweet and sour at the same time. She breathed a sigh of relief, the claw that was squeezing her hea

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 88

    For a few good seconds, it seemed as if time stopped for Hunter. Air was suddenly kicked out of his lungs, he even forgot how to breathe. His chest tightened as he fought with the suffocating sensation.His mind was a mess, his thoughts all over the place, experiencing a roller-coaster of sensations.‘Martha lied to me all our life together!’‘Christine might have lied to me as well…’‘This child in front of me is possibly mine...’His eyes shut close. ‘Who am I kidding? I would be a fool to lie to myself that what I’m suspecting is not utterly real.’It demanded a major shift in his thinking to adjust to the new information. To accept it.Still, he needed a proper confirmation.His eyebrows furrowed. On the outside, his inner battle was translated as if he were immersed in plans of critical importance.“Daddy, are you feeling unwell?” E

  • Billionaire's Substitute Bride and Her Secret Child   Chapter 87

    Left by herself, Elenora sneered, staring at the text from Christine with a sulky expression.‘Take all my money? How dare that wretched girl threaten me? It’s more likely for hell to freeze than her winning against me!’A vein became visible on her forehead, as if cutting it in half, while her entire demeanor was turning murderous. ‘I’d rather kill her with my own two hands than lose this battle!’Glaring at the phone angrily, she typed [“Aren’t you afraid that I will reveal who is the father of that devil kid of yours?”]‘I know all your weaknesses, Christine! Each and every one of your vulnerabilities are within my reach! You should be scared of me! You damn should!’She was looking forward to the reply, but to her enjoyment, it didn’t come through. Naturally, she believed that she had won.‘Yes, go and hide in your closet! And don’t come out until I

DMCA.com Protection Status