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Going back home
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Later that night, it began to rain very heavily. Donald came into Carol’s room, where she was just laying down, and doing nothing in particular. He sat heavily on the bed, grief lining his weathered features, and shook his head.
“I’m so sorry about Belinda, Carol. I’ll like to think that she’s just grieving, but we both know that that is not the case. She’s just an evil person. Don’t let her get to you. I don’t let her get to me anymore.”“It’s okay, dad. I’m already used to it. You’re the only one who would have to cope with her craziness from now on, I’m afraid.” Carol said smiling at him. He did not smile back.“She served me divorce papers this evening.”“What? Wow. Anyway … um, I don’t know what to say. Is that good or bad? For you, I mean.”“I don’t know. It’s good, I guess. We’re practically strangers. She blames me for everything single thing that goes wrong in her life. I’m fed up with the marriage and I guess that she is too.”“Well, that’s good then. AreRelated chapters
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That day, Sebastian did not come back home, and neither did he call Carol to inform her that he was not coming back home. When she called him to find out about his whereabouts and if he had any plans of coming back home, he did not take the call, and it went straight to voicemail. At first, she had been so scared that something might have happened to him, considering all that had been happening lately, but then, when she had gone downstairs to ask the drivers and security people if he had said anything about being late, they had given her the number of his new bodyguard so that she could call him. Carol supposed that she was overreacting a little, but then, she had just buried her very lively and vivacious younger sister to murder, which had still not been solved, so she guessed she was entitled to a little overreaction.Once she reached the man on the phone, he assured her that Sebastian was fine and was in a meeting, after which he would visit Jessica before coming back. She ha
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By the time it was ten in the morning and Sebastian had not called Carol back or even come home, she was seriously pissed and irritated. What was he feeling like anyway and why was he suddenly acting the way he used to when they just newly got married? So all this while, he had been using her as a substitute for his beloved Jessica, after making a song and dance about how he wanted he and Carol to at least be civil to each other? Now, the second Jessica came back into his life, he discarded Carol as though she were a sack of hot potatoes, and it was now so bad that he could not even be bothered to be polite enough to return her calls? Although everything inside Carol urged her to try calling him again, she did her best to resist the urge. She refused to act like a pathetic, attention-starved puppy who would manage whatever scraps of attention that the almighty Lord Sebastian managed to dole out to her. If she was being truthful to herself though, she knew that she missed hearing his v
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There was silence for a minute or two while Charlotte wracked her brain furiously for an appropriate and believable explanation, but could not come up with any. She had gotten carried away and had said more than she should have. It was Jessica who had told her that Victoria told her that Sebastian married Carol because his uncle had promised to help him find Jessica if he did so. Of course, there was no way that she was going to tell Carol that. When she could not come up with a reasonable explanation, she groaned inwardly at what she knew she would have to do immediately. She would have to murder, or at least render this woman unconscious and kidnap her right here and right now in this car. This had not been in her plans at all and it was a major inconvenience, to say the least. She glanced at Carol to find her watching her with a questioning gaze, suspicion, and more than a little fear clearly app
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“You married into such an interesting family. When I said we needed to gossip, I had no idea that the gossip would be so interesting.” Charlotte told Carol, pretending to be amazed while thinking to herself how gullible this woman was.“I’m telling you. So, anyway, to the real gossip, and the reason why I need advice... It’s that Jessica woman.” Carol said, feeling horrible about bringing this up, but unable to help herself.“What about her?” Charlotte asked, pretending not to really care when in reality, her heart was beating a mile a minute at the mention of Jessica’s name. That girl had the power to make everything go to shit once she regained consciousness ... if she ever did, that is, and she was one of the major reasons that Charlotte was here. She needed to get as much information about her, such as which hospital she was admitted to and stuff like that.“Well … I mean … I don’t know how to say it, and I feel horrible even thinking it, but I don’t like her at all.”“What’s so ho
The Substitute Bride Saga Confronting Sebastian
She glared at him and without saying anything, moved past him and was about to enter the house, except that she did not get far. He held her hand and dragged her back to face him. Carol stared him down angrily, still not saying anything. Her heart skipped a bit just looking into his handsome face. It was the first time she was seeing him since she came back from the burial, making it the first time she was seeing him in almost four days. It felt like it was four months instead of four days and without anyone telling her, Carol knew that she was in serious trouble. When Sebastian saw that she was not going to say anything, he had no choice other than to speak first.“Are you not going to apologize?” he asked.“Apologize? Apologize for what? Apologize to whom? You’re really impossible.” She said incredulously, dragging her hand away from his and shaking her head in disbelief.“I called you several times, but you didn’t answer the phone.” He said, a look of confusion creasing
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“Oh my God, Sebastian! I’m so sorry.” Carol said, placing a hand over her mouth in shock. All this while, she had never thought about something like that. All she had been thinking of was what would happen when Jessica came out of her coma. “Yeah. He was just advising me about it and whatnot, but it got me thinking about a lot of things, which I’ve been trying really hard not to think about before. Jessica put me as her power of attorney, something I did not know before now. She also left instructions that if it so happened that she was in a coma for more than a month, the life support should be unplugged after a month and three weeks. Carol, this is the end of the second week. If she does not come out of the coma before then, I’d have to give my consent for her to be taken off life support. I don't think I can do it." He finished, his face strained and unshed tears in his eyes. “Jeez! That’s scary. I hate that you have to bear such a burden, especially as it i
The Substitute Bride Saga A fulfilling celebration
Sebastian sat frozen, as did Carol while they digested this surprising, but oh so welcome news. The bodyguard was still talking excitedly on the phone, explaining things, but the two of them were not listening. They were staring at each other in shock and happiness. Without saying anything, Sebastian came over to where Carol was and gave her a big long hug.“She’s waking up, Sebastian. Thank God.”“I’m so happy and relieved. You were right, Carol. You’re such a blessing.” He said, pulling back and looking at her in something akin to awe and reverence.“I’m sure that it wasn’t me or what I said that did it, but I’ll take the credit regardless.” Carol joked, happy to see him smiling once more. Suddenly, he looked much better. All the worries of the past month and even all the time since she knew him had dropped away from his face. Her gaze dropped to his luscious-looking, full lower lip. It was all she could do not to take it in between her own lips.
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The sun was shining brightly this morning, and Carol was in lively spirits. It was her vow renewal day. She and Sebastian had opted to just renew their vows, and this time, make them with more meaning. Her joy knew no bounds, and her face radiated with it, as Mrs. James noted with pleasure. “You look very happy, my dear.” Mrs. James stated, cradling a three-month-old baby James in her arms, her face taking on the radiant look that many-a-grandmother had when they had the pleasure of holding their grandkids. “I can say the same about you, aunty. You’re really glowing.” Carol complimented in turn, taking care not to ruin the work of the lady who was doing her makeup. “I know, right? Baby James here has brought such sparkle into our lives. I’m more than thankful that I live close to you guys. I will be able to see as much of this handsome little face as I want.” Mrs. James said, looking down at the baby she carried in her arms. He stared back at her and babbled some meaningless baby wo
The Substitute Bride Saga Booting out the enemy
The weeks after Sebastian came to plead with Carol to come back into his life were the sweetest ones of Carol’s life. She had thought that Sebastian was attentive and sweet to her before, but now, she knew that that was an understatement. He treated her like a fragile egg that could break at any time, and Carol was happily soaking up all the attention and affection. She still hadn’t gotten used to the way he just seemed to throw money around, but was more than grateful and touched, when he bought two flashy cars and a huge mansion not too far from them for her father, whom she could tell was very lonely.“I know that you’ll love to be close to your grandchild once he’s born." Sebastian had said as though it was nothing, waving away Donald’s thanks when the latter had broken down in tears, telling him that he did not deserve it. Now, Carol could easily hang out with her father anytime she wanted, and she was so happy about it.Sebastian didn’t work as hard as he did before any longer,
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“Carol.” It was just one word, but that one word was enough to break the stupor she had been in as soon as she saw him.“Sebastian.” She said in turn, standing up to go bring another chair for him to sit down, but in essence, she was trying to buy herself some time to get her breathing under control. He looked so good and smelled so nice that it was all she could do not to throw herself straight into his arms and breathe in his essence as though her very life depended on it. She saw Sebastian’s eyes widen at the small bump under her loose gown, and her hand went to hold it selfconsciously.“It’s growing.” She told him needlessly and then slammed her mouth shut. She sort of felt nervous being in Sebastian’s presence and wished that she had worn a more flattering dress than the one that she had on now, but there was nothing she could do about it now. Sebastian collected the chair from her and brought it over to place it i
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It was a warm, sunny, and bright day, but it was also a slow one. Carol sat in the tiny bookshop in which she had gotten a job the very day she got here, waiting for customers to come in and fighting sleep. She was the only one in the shop, as the owner had dashed off to prepare for her birthday party, leaving Carol all alone in the shop.“Don’t worry. You’ll be able to handle it. Price tags are on every book, so you don’t need to worry about not knowing the prices. If you need anything, my number is pasted on the wall over there, so you can call me. Bye now.” The middle-aged woman had said, sailing out the door before Carol could even say anything else, so here she was, bored beyond measure and counting the seconds as the time ticked slowly by. She had managed to sell two books, but it seemed that the shop did not get any customers, because, for the remainder of the time, she just sat there alone, staring into space … and missing Sebastian,
The Substitute Bride Saga The search
Sebastian fought the urge to retch as he observed his surroundings and the woman in front of him. If this was where Carol was staying, then he would drag her home with him today, even if he had to drag her kicking and screaming. He would not have her stay with this woman who did not like her and was clearly very irresponsible.“Hello, Belinda. Sorry to disturb you, but we’re looking for Carol. Is she here?” Mrs. James asked.“How the fuck am I supposed to know where she is, huh? Anyway, what is it to you? Is the contract not supposed to be over? Why are you still looking for her?” Belinda asked suspiciously, and he could see that she was also high on drugs.“Well, um, we had a little altercation, and I haven’t seen her since then, so I was wondering if she was here. Do you perchance, have her number? Her dad is also not answering his calls.”“Look, I don’t have any business
The Substitute Bride Saga Finding Carol
It was raining cats and dogs once again, exactly as it had been raining on that fateful day when Carol had left him till now. Sebastian was sitting in his aunt’s house, sipping a mug of hot coffee and ignoring everything that she was currently saying. He looked like a shadow of himself, which was not a surprise, considering the fact that most times, all he did was drink and have to deal with a nagging Jessica, who was still in his house, even though he had taken her name off the deed to the house. Because of her, he was hardly ever in his house again, but preferred to stay here at his aunt’s for a better part of the time he was not working himself to death … literally. “Are you even listening to anything I’m saying, Sebastian?” Mrs. James asked, shaking him a little to get his attention.“No, aunt. I can’t say that I am. I’m sorry, but I think I zoned out a little there. What were you saying?” He asked finally. Mrs. James shook her head, reminding him of when he was still a recalcitra
The Substitute Bride Saga The threat
“Wh…what does he mean by this?” Donald asked at last, after scanning the text message. “Your guess is as good as mine,” Carol replied, rubbing at her face, hardly able to believe the level to which Sebastian was willing to stoop to be cruel to her. If he thought that she was going to just lay low, act like a sheep and allow him to ride all over her, then he had another thing coming. She just couldn’t get the image of that text out of her head. Good morning, Donald. How are you doing? So, have you heard from your daughter yet? I just wanted to let you know that she’s with something of mine. Something invaluable. I don’t know if she told you about it or not, but she’s pregnant with my child and according to the contract that she signed, if such a thing were to happen, then I’ll have full custody of the child. Tell her to come out of wherever
The Substitute Bride Saga Crippling loneliness
“I don’t think that what you are doing makes any sense at all, Carol,” Donald said worriedly, looking at his daughter, who averted her gaze and tried in vain to stop the tears welling up in her expressive blue eyes.“Why do you say that, dad?” Carol asked him, wiping away her tears.“Well, maybe because you’re pregnant and you choose to slave away at doing a regular job instead of taking proper care of yourself.”“A lot of pregnant women work at regular jobs, dad.”“I know that, but not a lot of them have huge lumps of money lying in their bank accounts untouched while they look malnourished. Why are you punishing yourself this way, my dear? I mean, it’s only been one month since you left Sebastian. In that one month, you’ve become almost as thin as that girl Jessica., whom we do not like at all.”At this, Carol burst out laughing despite herself. Her father was acting like a
The Substitute Bride Saga Nowhere to be found
It was with a growing sense of urgency that Sebastian drove away from the hospital, Jessica's insults and curses trailing after him until he could no longer hear them. It was a sad thing indeed that she was now the way she was, but there was nothing that he could do about it. He had offered to help her, but she kept turning down his help at every turn, so there was nothing he could do for her anymore. He could not do the very thing that she wanted, which was to be with her, as he did not love her anymore. He stopped by a flower shop on his way back to the house to get some flowers for Carol, knowing that women loved things like that. Hopefully, she would forgive him, and even if she did not, he would keep trying until she did. He still did not know how she managed to wind up pregnant, if she was taking her pills like she had claimed, but he knew that sometimes, those things were not foolproof, especially if the lady who was taking them fell sick during the period. He remembered that C
