All Chapters of SUBSTITUTE BRIDE, I WANT YOU BACK LILA: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Chapter 12: The TurnI stormed into my office, slamming the door behind me. My heart pounded like a drum, the echoes of Olivia’s words still fresh in my mind. “I’ll help you, Lucien,” she had said, her gaze intense and unyielding. But there was a catch. There always was.She’d hinted at knowing something—something about Lila. And yet, she refused to divulge it outright. Instead, she wanted to meet later, on her terms, at a location she would share only hours before. The secrecy gnawed at me, but if it brought me closer to Lila, I’d play along. For now.Dropping into my chair, I rubbed my temples, trying to stave off the headache threatening to split my skull. Five years of searching and waiting had taught me one thing: patience. But patience was running thin when every lead turned into a dead end.I opened my laptop, scrolling through the photos my investigator had sent. A few grainy images of women in crowded marketplaces, none of them Lila. My fingers itched to throw the device acr

Chapter 14: A Twist of FateLila “Are you sure about this?” Olivia asked, her brows knitting together as she leaned over the café table. Her voice was calm, but I could feel the tension radiating off her. “I have to be,” I said, my fingers curling around the warm mug in my hands. The heat was grounding, a stark contrast to the icy storm brewing in my chest. “It’s been five years, Olivia. I can’t keep running.” She sighed, her eyes scanning my face as though searching for cracks. “It’s just... coming back here? To New York of all places? You know the risks, right?” “I do.” The words left my lips with a confidence I didn’t fully feel. Returning to the city wasn’t a decision I made lightly. It wasn’t about nostalgia or unfinished business—it was about survival. The boutique wasn’t just a dream; it was my lifeline. If I wanted to make a name for myself in this industry, New York was the battlefield, and I wasn’t about to lose before I even started. Olivia stared at me for a

Chapter 16: Secrets Unraveled**Lila** The rhythmic hum of the sewing machine filled the room, but my thoughts were far from the dress I was working on. My fingers moved automatically, stitching the final details of a piece I had poured my soul into. The competition was just a few days away, yet my focus wavered, consumed by the ghost of the past. Lucien. He had come to my boutique yesterday, standing in the doorway like a storm ready to destroy everything I had built. His presence shook me, a cruel reminder of what I had left behind. I told him to leave, but his words lingered, haunting me like a song I couldn’t forget. I wanted to hate him. After all, he had chosen lies over the truth, her over me. But deep down, the woman I used to be still yearned for answers. Still yearned for him. A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts, snapping me back to reality. My assistant, Carla, poked her head through the door, her usually calm expression laced with uncertainty. “Miss Vitale, y

Chapter 18: in between the Robes LilaThe city’s lights blurred into streaks as I sped through the streets, my hands gripping the wheel like it was the only thing anchoring me. My chest felt tight, the note and photograph from yesterday still burning in my mind. Who sent it? How did they know about the twins? Questions swirled, each one more terrifying than the last. I had spent five years meticulously crafting a safe haven for my children, a world where they were untouchable. But now, that illusion was shattered. I can't believe that all my visions are fading away, it wasn't what I expected .I reached the park where the photograph had been taken, parking the car hastily. My heart raced as I scanned the area, half-expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows. The playground was quiet now, just a few stragglers heading home for the night. Taking a deep breath, I pulled out my phone and dialed the one person I swore I’d never call again. “Lila?” Lucien’s voice came through

Chapter 20: A Deal with ShadowsLilaI slammed the door to my boutique shut, the force of it rattling the glass panes. My breaths came hard and fast, my hands gripping the edge of the counter for support. The photograph and note were still burned into my mind, haunting every thought. How could someone know about the twins? How could they have gotten so close without me noticing? I’d spent five years perfecting the art of invisibility, blending into the crowd, ensuring my children and I remained untouchable. Yet, with one image, my carefully constructed world was crumbling. “Mommy?” Sophia’s soft voice called from the doorway to the backroom. I straightened quickly, forcing a smile as I turned to her. “Yes, sweetheart?” Her little face peeked out from the doorway, her curls slightly mussed. “Are you okay? You look… worried.” I walked over, crouching to her level and brushing a stray curl from her face. “I’m fine, baby. Just a little tired.” She frowned, her big brown eyes s