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Chapter 20
Last Updated:
2023-01-24 01:17:45Related chapters
The Substitute Bride Chapter 21
Jake sighed in relief as soon as he saw Karl’s pick up pull up in front of the house and Van got out. He couldn't explain the feeling but at that moment he wanted to run over to her, embrace her and tell her he was sorry but something was stopping him, it might be his ego, or because he was hard-headed or it might just be the fact that he was confused as hell and didn't know what to do with his feelings for her. Instead, he watched from afar as her brother led her in and she was gone from his sight. Tired and dejected and feeling like the scum of the earth, he pulled the car door open and hopped in just as his cell phone rang. ‘’Hello.’’ He said as soon as he hit the receive button, he put the car into gear and manoeuvred onto the road. ‘’Jake! I’m glad you answered.’’ Anastasia Scott Calloway, his father’s wife said. She sounded surprised and worried, but to him, it was sugar coated and he couldn’t care less what she thought of him because she was no different
Last Updated : 2023-01-24The Substitute Bride Chapter 22
‘’Why are you here and what do you want from Vanessa?’’ with his back to him, Josh slowly pulled the phone from his ear as Jake demanded sternly.He turned around ever so slowly, feeling good about himself. He could make out Jake’s stiff features from the dimly lit garden. ‘’I don’t see why that is any of your business step bro.’’ he said in a bored tone but Jake lunged at him, seizing him by the collar. ‘’It is my business because I care about her and I won’t let you hurt her the way you did before.’’ Josh’s eyes narrowed into slits, a muscle ticked in his jaw which gave Jake a boost of confidence. ‘’Yes, I know what you did you bastard!’’ he spat. ‘’I can’t believe you did that to her.’’Josh clamped his hand on Jake’s wrists and pried them off him. ‘’And you have the right to?’’ he challenged. ‘’What are you trying to say?’’ ‘’If your idea of care for her is to use her for your stupid revenge then I fear what your love for her would be like.’’ ‘’What are
Last Updated : 2023-01-24The Substitute Bride Chapter 23
Van felt disappointed and stupid. How could she have hoped that Jake would still be here after Karl had told her he was worried? A part of her believed that he cares for her even just a little but another part of her concluded that he probably wished she’d burn in hell and stay out of his life. The resolve she’d thought she was finally building crumbled like a brick wall, her heart clenched in pain and tears welled up in her eyes. ‘’What did I do wrong?’’ she muttered to no one in particular. ‘’Why did I have to fall in love with him?’’ All her life she’d been in constant pain and heart ache but she had been taught to be strong, she always bounced back in the face of adversity, she's tried to be the happy kid she’d once been, now though, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to overcome this because it hurt so much to even breathe. But she was willing to try. What was the use of admitting to someone you love them if they’ll only laugh in your face?She wasn’t
Last Updated : 2023-01-27The Substitute Bride Chapter 24
Rella woke up the next morning cocooned in the warmest and soothing embrace. She must be dreaming she thought but she knew she wasn't. She's been awake for a while now and although she had been appalled at the fact he ended up in her bedroom it was a lovely feeling, a comfortable warmth that tempted her to stay put for another couple of minutes. Even though he was forbidden, it wouldn’t hurt to relish in his embrace because that’s all there was to their relationship and even though she knew that already it didn’t stop her mood from turning sour. She sighed warily and untangled her limbs from his but then she couldn’t stop herself from looking at him. Stefan had called the night before as she was getting ready for bed but he never once hinted his return he must've been really tired she thought, briefly wondering what time he came in last night. He must've been very quiet because she was a light sleeper. He was lying on his side and although she was disappointed to not feed her ey
Last Updated : 2023-02-02The Substitute Bride Chapter 25
Rella couldn’t describe the level of panic that leapt up her throat leaving her heart pounding mercilessly across her chest at the word honeymoon. She sat frozen on one of the plush seats of Stefan’s private jet waiting as he went to have a word with the pilot at the cock pit but not after he had offered her a warm blanket. Stefan came back a few minutes later and strode to the cabinet to pour himself a glass of brandy. He gave her a side-long glance. ‘’What’s wrong? You look awfully quiet, I hope it’s not my boring company.’’ ‘’No it’s not that.’’ Far from it. She thought ruefully. ‘’Would you like a glass.’’ He said suddenly.It was then that she felt the parchedness of her throat; she licked her lips unaware of Stefan’s heated gaze trailing every movement. ‘’Yes please.’’ Stefan handed her the glass he’d poured for himself but before he could pour another Rella had downed the entire liquid in a single gulp. His eyes narrowed in disproof. ‘’Careful with that, you’l
Last Updated : 2023-02-05The Substitute Bride Chapter 26
Van was taken aback by his sudden outburst and the pure unadulterated fury in his eyes. His jaw clenched as he added icily, "you don't know Jake, and you don't know what he's trying to do!" "What are you talking about?" Her brows knitted in suspicion. "He's only using you don't you get it!" "You think I don't know that!" She flared up, too angry to bother about how pathetic she sounded. "You don't need to rub it in. I know that I'm an Idiot for falling for him but you can't choose who you love now can you? And that's just my misfortune." The slight tremour in her voice betrayed her and she could feel the onslaught of hot tears welling up, stinging her eyes but she bit her lips to keep them from falling. It had gone deadly quiet as each tried to control their flaring temper. "I should leave." Was all he said eventually before stalking to the door. About ten seconds later, she heard the familiar high pitched screech and knew that Karl had come to pick her up. Flu
Last Updated : 2023-02-08The Substitute Bride Chapter 27
Rella winced, groaning as the first ray of sunlight hit her face. She put her hand against her face to shield her eyes from the onslaught.Turning away from the source of her discomfort, she stretched lazily.When she finally sat up she bit her lip from crying out loud at the sharp pain in her head. Muttering expletives, she cradled her head all the while reminding herself never to drink again. She has a killer headache that felt like someone was drilling a hole inside her head. "I could've warned you about how nasty it can get but it's best to experience it yourself so you don't drink like a fish next time." Rella glanced up to find Stefan with an amused expression on his handsome face. "This is not funny." She said glaring at him.Stefan laughed instead and that made her angrier. And yes she was never getting within ten feet of a wine bottle ever again. Suddenly remembering why she drank in the first place and her heart ached. Rella knew she was
Last Updated : 2023-02-12The Substitute Bride Chapter 28
"Don't worry you go ahead I'll just be a minute and then I'll lock up." Said Van to Monica later that evening. It was eight p.m. and Josh's flight is in two hours, she hoped she'd be in time as she briskly straighten out her hair. Sifting through her bag, she brought out a little hand mirror and smeared her lips with lip-gloss. She was about to drop them back into her purse when she suddenly felt she was not alone. "Going somewhere?" Her spine stiffened in a fraction of a second before she regained her composure. After not hearing from him for many days now Van thought she'd gotten rid of him. What rotten luck she had.Ignoring him, she slung her purse across her shoulder. ‘’I can’t let you go.’’ ‘’Don’t waste your breath.’’ She began to leave but was caught by surprise when he grabbed her wrist. In a flash, she was flushed against him before his lips crashed down on hers hot and demanding, forcing her mouth open, she fought furiously against him but his hands ti
Last Updated : 2023-02-16
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The Substitute Bride Chapter 105
Walking down the aisle towards the man of her dreams had always been Rella's dream. Yes she was a hopeless romantic and right now her focus was on the man at the altar. There was just him, everyone else seemed to fade away and when he smiled up at her there was no doubt in her heart it was all for her. No more pretense, no more lies, no more deceit, she wasn't walking down the aisle towards someone else's fiancé in someone else's dress no, she was walking down the aisle towards the love of her life who sees the real her in her own gorgeous wedding dress. Stefan was impatient for the ceremony to end not because he wanted to get it over and done with like the last time but because he couldn't wait to have her all to himself. Never in a million years had he ever thought that he might end up madly in love with anyone to the point that he couldn't start a day without her infectious smile and he couldn't end his day without tasting her lucious lips. They exchanged their vo
The Substitute Bride Chapter 104
" I've missed you so much it hurts. " Stefan murmured against her neck. They managed to make it back to the bedroom before he could devour her on the stairs. "I've missed you too." Rella said a moan escaping her lips. She cupped his engorged member and Stefan stiffened and pulled back. "I think we should stop before things get a bit too heated." "Why? In case you haven't noticed I want you too." "I don't want to hurt you. You just came out of the hospital." "I'm not an invalid you know." "I'm just being cautious." " Such a spoil sport."Stefan chuckled. "why don't we get you to bed… " "You're leaving, please stay." Rella protested. "I'm not leaving." Stefan assured her before he climbed in after her and gathered her in his arms. "Try not to wiggle too much." "Like this?" Rella said wiggling her behind against his crotch.Stefan hissed out a curse while she snickered. "Fiend." It
The Substitute Bride Chapter 103
Stefan realised too late that he didn't get flowers, but no matter he was going to get her back first and then he'd give her all the flowers in the world. He punched the doorbell in anticipation, a woman in her late forties almost identical to Evie Cortes stood by the open door and Stefan knew without a doubt that he was at the right address. "May I help you?" "Uh, good evening ma'am my name is Stefan and I have come to see Rella.Marjorie stared at him long and hard then assessed him from top to bottom and her eyes widened for a second before it was gone in a snap. "Rella isn't here." She told him and Stefan's heart dropped into the pit of his stomach. " What, but I was told she'd be here? " " You were told wrong. I haven't seen my niece in a while. "She must be lying. Stefan thought. But what reason does she have to lie to him? If Rella wasn't here, if she didn't come here at all then where could she be?This isn't how he envisioned the day would end. No,
The Substitute Bride Chapter 102
Stefan smiled as he took out the gold band with a heart shaped diamond atop it. It couldn't be more perfect conveying all of his feelings at once. She's going to love it he was sure of it. "You've found her." Stefan shut the jewelry box before he turned to find his grandfather leaning on his cane by the bedroom door "The love of your life." Because that's what the ring is meant for, his grandmother's ring given to her by his grandfather before they got married which has been passed down the family for many generations now. "Not yet in a manner of speaking but I will." "When I saw your grandmother for the first time I knew she was the one and I did everything I could to make her realise that I was the one as well." His grandfather explained. " I know we haven't been able to see eye to eye since your parents died and I know that you think me controlling and insufferable but I try my best to raise you well. Everything I've done good or bad were all for you
The Substitute Bride Chapter 101
Stefan made a mad dash home after he was told she discharged herself. He didn't wait to kill the engine before he was flying out of the door and running towards the house like a mad man. "Rella!?"He yelled out her name. "Sir is something wrong?" Henry the butler asked meeting him halfway through the living room. "My wife, is she here?" "Madam hasn't been back since both of you left yesterday." "You're sure?" "Absolutely." Stefan walked past the old Butler and made for the stairs holding on to the possibility that she might've come home without Henry's knowledge.He pushed open their bedroom door calling out her name once more but there was no answer. He threw open the closet to find everything intact; no item was out of place. She'd taken nothing with her. Stefan staggered back, it was all he could do to avoid breaking down completely. He whipped out his cellphone and began making calls. " I'm sorry Stefan I don't know wher
The Substitute Bride Chapter 100
Rella's world had slowed down in that moment when she saw Stefan's horror mirroring her own, when she realised that they were both thinking the same thing. Everything that happened after that was a blur. She heard him yelling to someone to bring the car around and then he was lifting her up. The ride to the hospital took a lifetime. "I'm sorry but your wife's had a miscarriage…"They were too late and now the doctor is saying she's lost her baby. She tuned out the doctor's words after that first damning sentence. Everything was spinning and she couldn't breathe. Rella started sobbing while Stefan turned and left the room–he probably couldn't wait to get away from her. The doctor was still talking to her but Rella had since tuned her out, her voice getting drowned by the silence in her head–normally there'll be a roaring–but there was utter silence that Rella was afraid she wasn't in her skin anymore.Rella was oblivious to when the doctor left the room and Van was there w
The Substitute Bride Chapter 99
It was on a magical evening one month later that her best friend Van and her husband Jake Calloway renewed their vows and it was everything they both could've hoped for. Family and friends who weren't present the first time they said their vows were present today. Van was surrounded by family she thought she never had and right there under the arch in the shape of two swans decorated with daisies, her friend said her vows again. Rella was happy for Van of course, after everything that's happened her best friend deserves to be happy but she was also jealous, she could not help this foul feeling churning in her guts that made her wish she was in Van's place instead surrounded by so much love and not in this sham of a life she was living pretending everything was okay. But this day was Van's happy day and so she smiled throughout the whole ceremony unitl her cheeks ached. Rella glanced sideways at Stefan who was sitting beside her, she knew if he could help it he'd be far from her
The Substitute Bride Chapter 98
Van hated hospitals. Especially when it reminded her of her dad's condition, and how much he suffered before his passing. Hospitals are filled with gloom and despair. People die in hospitals and she couldn't shake up the thought that Jake might die just like her father.No, she had to believe that nothing would happen to Jake, that he wouldn’t share the same fate as her father because she didn't think she had it in her to survive another tragedy. Jake’s friends; Christian, Dave and Max, were all there including Rella her best friend and her husband Stefan Diamond who's also Jake's friend. They'd arrived a few hours ago and were as worried and afraid as she was but they were trying to make her feel better instead. Rella had held her hands through out the waiting period while Jake was being operated on and Van had cried on her shoulders voicing out her fear. Her grandfather had called to hear how Jake was doing after Jake was transferred to the recovery room some time late
The Substitute Bride Chapter 97
Over the next few days it was safe to say that Van's relationship with Jake was getting better. Jake was determined and patient. If there was anything she loved about him it was his resilience and ability to focus and get what he wants. Van also loved his warm smile, his strength and his ability to love no matter what. She felt giddy with his courting, like she had the first time he asked her out. Van pressed the phone against her ear and smiled a good natured smile like she never had in a while. Her heart almost on the verge of exploding with joy and happiness and everything that was good. "Look out the balcony, I have a surprise for you." Jake told her and when Van looked out she saw him standing outside the gate holding out a banner that read: I love you Vanessa Wilkins Montenegro. Van still wasn't used to being referred to as a Montenegro but she was certain she would get used to it pretty soon. After her father’s death Van thought that she and her
