From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 121

Chapter 121

The message showed as delivered but not read.

A knock at my door drew my attention. I walked to the peephole and saw Darrell standing in the hallway.

I pressed my back against the door and held my breath.

“Sable, I know you’re in there.” His voice was gentle, concerned. “I brought breakfast. You should eat something.”

I remained silent, hoping he’d leave.

8 ཊཱི 90%L

“I understand if you don’t want to see me. I get it.” He paused, and I heard rustling. “I’ll leave the food by your door. Please remember to take care of yourself.”

Another pause.

“And Sable… if you need anything, anything at all, just call me. Okay?”

His footsteps retreated down the hallway. I waited until I heard the elevator doors close before carefully opening my door.

A paper bag sat beside a small bouquet of white daisies. Tucked among the flowers was a note: “Hope your day gets better – D”

My stomach growled traitorously, reminding me I hadn’t eaten since yesterday. I grabbed the bag and flowers, locking the door securely behind me.

Sitting at my kitchen table, I mechanically bit into a croissant while scrolling through the comments on Blair’s post. Each one felt

like a slap to the face.

“Holy shit! That black snake ring! I’ve seen it in official photos-that’s definitely the Lycan King!”

“Poor Sable… getting betrayed by her fiancé AND sister-in-law. So humiliating.”

LMAO Sable’s probably crying her eyes out right now! Serves her right for being so stuck-up!”

“Sable must really suck in bed if she got dumped for this! Embarrassing!”

“Blair and Caelan make so much more sense, Childhood sweethearts are the real deal!”

My phone rang again. Scarlett’s name on the screen.

‘Scarlett…” My voice cracked, ‘I saw the photo.”

“Oh, honey,” Her voice was soft with sympathy, “What do you think? Tell me I was overthinking this.”

I took a deep breath. “I think you’re right. It’s Caelan.”

“Maybe someone deliberately bought the same ring?” Scarlett grasped at straws. “Could be a copycat trying to cause trouble?”

A bitter laugh escaped my throat. “Scarlett, Caelan told me that ring was custom-made for him. One of a kind. Completely unique.”

Silence stretched between us as the reality sank in.

“But wait,” Scarlett said slowly. “When did this even happen? Weren’t you just with him recently?”

11:44 Fri, 22 Aug 0 PM.

Chapter 121

“He told me yesterday he was going in a Mistress trip: My cwice promoveller And now his phone nurned off

* 3.90%@

That fucking history: Scarlett exploded at that thepitation Birch ATASY! She did the on purpose peeting that photo to humiliate your

Her rage built with each word 11 Caelin really betrayed you if he really slept with his oven adopted sisters

7 swear I’ll castrate him I’ll make him understand the consequences of hurting my best friend?”

“And That Stair! I’m going to tear apart that fake face of hers!

I ended the call, but the ache in my chest remained just as sharp.

My phone rang again. I really didn’t want to answer this call. I knew exactly what was coming. With a grimace, I hit the accept button and immediately held the phone at arm’s length from my ear.

“That piece of shit doesn’t deserve you!” His voice boomed with Alpha authority and paternal fury. “I want you to break the engagement immediately!”

“I’ve seen those disgusting photos! This is what you call your precious Lycan King? A man who can’t even show basic loyalty?”

Dad, please

“The evidence is right there for everyone to see! How can you still defend him?”

I pressed my palm against my forehead. “I know how it looks, but maybe we should-”

“No maybes! You will end this engagement, and you will do it today. That’s an order!”

My wall whimpered under the weight of his command, but I forced myself to speak. ‘Dad, I need to talk to Caelan first. I need to hear his explanation.”

Explanation? He scoffed. “What explanation could possibly justify this betrayal?”

1 tried to keep my voice steady. Just give me some time to handle this properly.”

“Time? His laugh was bitter. “How much time do you need to accept that he chose another woman?”

The conversation continued for several more painful minutes before I managed to placate him with promises to consider his

demands

After hanging up, I curled into a ball on my couch, pulling my knees to my chest. Rain began pattering against the windows-soft at first, then building to a steady downpour.

My phone buzzed constantly with notifications More comments, more messages, more people dissecting my humiliation for

1Jured the device fais down and wrapped an arus lighter around my legs.

Carlon’s POV

Pain hammisted againat py temples bone had stuffed my weak and explaced my hood with woah Erred to as my eyes, but they used to congestate

3

2/3

11:44 Fri, 22 Aug 0PM.

Chapter 121

“Fuck,” I muttered, forcing my eyelids apart despite their protest.

Sunlight stabbed my retinas. I slammed my eyes shut again, waiting for the wave of nausea to pass.

I forced my eyes open again, slower this time.

390%

I jerked upright, instantly alert despite the pain splitting my skull. The sudden movement sent the room spinning, but that wasn’t what froze my blood.

I was completely naked. In a strange bed. With no memory of how I got here.

My muscles screamed in protest as I tried to move, aching like I’d been through a fight. But my mind was blank. The last thing I remembered was being at the family open party, drinking something Blair had handed me. After that-nothing.

A soft rustling sound drew my attention to my right. I turned my head, muscles tensing.

Blair lay beside me, equally naked, her hair a mess of tangles around her flushed face. Her violet eyes met mine, filled with something that looked like shy happiness.

“You’re awake,” she whispered, her voice breathy and intimate. “Last night… we…”

My blood turned to ice, then immediately boiled with rage. I sat up violently, fists clenched so tight my knuckles went white. The wolf inside me stirred, bristling with fury.

“We what?” I demanded, my voice a dangerous growl.