All Chapters of The Substitute Bride: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Vanessa Wilkins also known as 'Van' stood in front of the cheval-glass in her tiny bedroom, a blank expression on her face reflecting her state of mind at the moment. She didn't want to think, she was done thinking and any related action might just make her head throb. Right now the lump in her throat felt like it was choking the life out of her so she took a deep breath through her nostrils and exhaled through her mouth.She had minimal make-up on, just the occasional talcum powder and lip gloss― she didn't want to entice him any further and appear to be trying too hard for him― which she wasn't. Yes she liked him, but prostituting herself to him she didn't like.She was wearing a short black rubber-dress that clung to her body like a second skin with half the bodice made of lace. Her hair fell on one shoulder and she looked like she was attending a funeral–perhaps she's mourning her innocence that would soon be snatched before the night was over.Van let out a defeated puff of breat

Rella stretched languidly on the king sized bed turning her face away from the sun streaming through the window. The thought of having to face her reality one more day made her want to bury herself but there's nothing she could do about it except be brave and face each day with courage. It's not everyday that one gets stuck with a husband who can't stand your guts. Her phone vibrated on the the night stand, she picked it up to see her mom's number flash on the screen. Rella rolled her eyes before she received the call. "You wouldn't guess what's happened." "Good morning to you too mom." That was it straight to the point no 'Rella good morning or how are you' as much as her mother's nonchalance pains her heart Rella is beginning to learn to shake it off. The woman cares about no one but herself. "What have you got in your bingo card today?" "Don't be rude. Your party last night was such a success it has become the talk of town. I went to have

"You didn't have to." Mrs Salvatore protested as Rella picked the dirty dishes on the table after her. "No I want to help." Rella insisted. "But you're a guest." Rella smiled. "Don't worry it's my pleasure. Dinner was delicious." "Oh do not flatter me." " No really it was superb I might have to come here often for a sumptuous dinner." They both laughed.Stefan had dragged her to what was one of his many business meetings disguised as family dinner but Rella ended up warming up to Elise Salvatore and her little family, she had two kids a boy and a girl Andrew and Samantha who were both so adorable Rella couldn't stop gushing about them they were five and seven years respectively. And Rella found herself thinking, this was what a family dinner was supposed to look like Frederick Salvatore had to insist there were no talks of business at the table. After dinner was done the men took their coffee to Salvatore's office upstairs while the women remaine

Pulling her unto the dance floor, Josh held her hand in his and draped the other on his shoulder. Van's jaw slacked in a stunned disbelief. ‘’Vanessa are you alright? Say something.’’ He held her as they waltzed, but she was unresponsive. Was heaven punishing her right now? Why did Josh Hamilton have to be here...? It was her best friend's wedding reception not their high school reunion! and those two bitches, were they waiting to make another humiliating video go viral on the net? Was she going to let that happen again? No. In a flash she snapped out of her daze and snatched her hands from his taking a giant step back. To his credit Josh didn’t look surprised at all. ‘’Why are you here Josh Hamilton and what do you want from me? What was that all about?’’ she gritted irately. ‘’I’m here for you, I want you, and I was only defending you.’’ He replied answering her questions. ‘’Defending me?’’ she said incredulously, she could feel her an

"Darling, are you alright you look ill?" Rella snapped out of her thoughts at the feel of Stefan's warm calloused hand on hers as she pulled away from the car window. She blinked at the endearment not quite believing Stefan just called her darling. "I'm fine." She said finally. "It's not me is it? I didn't do anything to upset you did I?" "No I'm just so overwhelmed with all of these." She replied honestly. " It feels really weird, the two of us… " "I don't see anything weird about it we're a couple and couples do things with each other. Oh and that reminds me we still haven't discussed our first night yet." Stefan took her right hand and pressed his lips to the back of it. "F-first night?" Rella stammered. "First night. You scared?" Stellan said huskily as he trailed moist kisses up her arm and she shivered in reaction. Rella swallowed nervously, it felt like dejá Vu, she didn't want to think of the possibility of something happen