SUBSTITUTE BRIDE, I WANT YOU BACK LILA의 모든 챕터: 챕터 1 - 챕터 10

CHAPTER ONE.PREGNANT.Lila."Do you think I can go in to see him now?" I asked my best friend, Olivia, who worked as a therapist in the hospital.Currently, we were both in her office waiting for my husband whose bandages were to be removed today. He had his eye surgery two or three days ago."Sure, they should be done by now". Olivia, responded, her head buried in some sort of counseling book.My heart gave a kick start out of excitement, Joy radiating through my chest as my face crumbled into a smile. At the same time, I began breathing heavily, my palms growing sweaty."Someone is anxious". Olivia teased with a smirk, as she peeped at me from her book. I shrugged, not denying her claim."You can't blame me. For a year now, he thought I was his Lily. How do you think he is going to react when he finds out he married me instead?" I questioned, feeling a lump in my throat."Oh please! You did him a favor when that bitch ran, so please get a grip of yourself and go claim your man". Ol

CHAPTER THREE.ITTERASHAI.LUCIEN.'Why did my heart clench tightly when I saw the look of hurt flash over her expression?' I pondered, walking down the hallway, lost in thoughts.It seems like I was missing something. I should be happy and relieved. I mean, finally, I get to see again and be with the woman I love fully, but why was my heart feeling empty?"Lucien". I heard Lily squeak and before I could turn around, she already flung herself on my back, clutching me tightly, her hands wrapped around my waist."I have missed you so much. It felt like ages when I had to stay away from you". She said, placing a kiss on my neck and I shook.That wasn't what caused my reaction. It was what she said. Ages? We were barely away from one another even during my surgery. Yes, I had a bandage wrapped around my eyes, but I could always feel her hands holding mine."We were continuously together. What do you mean, ages?" I questioned, holding my breath for her response. I noticed her hands holding

CHAPTER FIVE.I DID IT.Lila."You okay?" Olivia asked me as she entered my room to find me on the bed brooding. I nodded positively, giving her a weak smile despite finding it hard to move.It's been months since we left New York City and came here, to Tuscany. Life hasn't been boring. Olivia and her father treated me like an egg, barely letting me do anything while also showering me with love.I couldn't be more lucky to have them by my side, especially at a moment like this."You miss him, don't you?" Olivia whispered as she sat beside me on the bed. I stiffened and hid my face away, not wanting her to see I was growing teary again.These days, I have been having terrible mood swings. If I wasn't crying, I was lashing out at innocent people, but they all took it gently with me, knowing it was pregnancy hormones.I placed my hand on my belly, as I felt a sharp kick to my abdomen. I swallowed a groan, my face twisting in pain as I rubbed my belly, which was already so big I feared I

Chapter SevenLucienMy shoes echoed on the polished marble floor of the grand ballroom. A dozen faces turned to greet me, but I ignored them, my gaze fixed on the massive chandelier overhead. It felt wrong to be here, smiling, shaking hands, while my mind was lost in a whirlwind of regret and desperation. She was out there, Lila, my strawberry girl. The thought of her drove me to madness. Five years, and still no sign of her. Five years of sleepless nights, replaying every mistake. Five years of watching Lily’s hollow smile and empty words, knowing she wasn’t the one I wanted. I stepped toward the bar, my throat dry despite the expensive wine in my hand. The conversations around me blurred, meaningless murmurs that only reminded me of everything I’d lost. My fingers tightened around the glass as a familiar voice cut through the haze. “Lucien.” My head snapped to the right. Dante Russo. The smug bastard leaned against the bar, his lips curled into a grin that made my blood boi

Chapter Nine: The Edge of Discovery**LILA** The soft hum of the sewing machine filled the room, a rhythm I had learned to find solace in over the years. The fabric beneath my fingers was smooth, a deep emerald green that reminded me of the gardens in Tuscany. My boutique wasn’t open yet, but I had plans—big ones. Plans that would make every tear, every sacrifice, worth it. I paused, staring at the delicate lace I was stitching into place. My reflection in the glass window caught my eye. I barely recognized the woman staring back. Stronger, sharper, but still haunted. The bell above the door chimed unexpectedly, pulling me out of my thoughts. My assistant, Maria, was supposed to lock up an hour ago. I turned, expecting her apologetic smile, but froze when I saw who stood there instead. "Olivia," I whispered. Her jet-black hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail, her usually warm brown eyes filled with urgency. She didn’t smile. She didn’t greet me. She just marched inside, shu