From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 137

Chapter 137

Several neighbors had emerged from their apartments to investigate the commotion.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I announced loudly enough for everyone to hear, “please be aware that this man has been stalking my fiancée. He purchased an apartment in this building specifically to harass her. Security should be notified.”

Darrell’s humiliation was complete as curious faces peered at him from doorways. Some neighbors were already pulling out phones

to take pictures.

“Darrell, if you don’t stop this harassment, I’ll have to involve the police. I’m asking you to please leave me alone.” She paused, her voice becoming gentler but infinitely more devastating. “I’m going to marry Caelan soon. I love him. Completely. I don’t have room in my heart for anyone else.”

“Please,” I added mockingly, “have some dignity.”

Sable looked directly into Darrell’s eyes. “Do you want to know something? I’m grateful you cheated on me with Camila.”

His face went slack with shock.

“If you hadn’t betrayed me, I never would have found the man I was truly meant to be with.” Her voice was calm, matter-of-fact. “I realize now that I never actually loved you. I was just comfortable with you-like wearing old clothes out of habit.”

“Now I finally know what real love feels like. What it means to be with someone who values me.”

“Our three years together?” She continued mercilessly. “They feel like a nightmare I’ve finally woken up from. So thank you, Darrell. Thank you for showing me what I didn’t want in a partner. Thank you for leaving my life and making room for something real.”

I watched something break inside him as the full reality crashed down.

He stood there for a long moment, surrounded by curious neighbors, his face cycling through humiliation, rage, and finally something cold and dangerous.

When he spoke again, his voice was low and full of hate. “Very good… very good…”

Then he turned and walked away without another word.

Sable’s POV

The door clicked shut behind us, sealing away the hallway drama and curious neighbors. I watched Caelan walk straight to the kitchen without saying a word.

He moved with deliberate precision, pulling ingredients from the refrigerator, washing vegetables at the sink, then placing them on the cutting board. Each action was mechanical, silent.

I leaned against the kitchen entrance, studying his rigid posture. The tension in his shoulders spoke volumes.

He’s angry. About Darrell moving in, about me not telling him, about the breakfast and flowers.

I thought back to my lies about the daisies. About eating Darrell’s breakfast when I was upset about those photos of him and Blair. About having coffee with Darrell and not mentioning it.

Maybe I would be angry too.

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Chapter 137

“You prepare to make something delicious? I tried, moving closer to his back.

“Whatever.” He didn’t turn around.

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I pressed myself against his back, wrapping my arms around his waist. “My husband has such amazing cooking skills. Better than any five-star restaurant chef!

“Mm.”

My heart sank at the flat response. I stroked his arm gently. “You seem really quiet today. Are you tired?”

He paused in his cutting for just a moment. “I’m fine.”

The knife resumed its steady rhythm against the board.

I couldn’t stand it anymore. “Caelan… don’t you have anything you want to ask me?”

“No.”

About Darrell, I mean. I can explain everything.”

“Uh-huh.”

Heat rose in my chest. The dismissive response stung more than outright anger would have.

“He only moved in yesterday,” I said to his back. “The night you went to see Blair.”

Now Caelan stopped cutting completely. He set down the knife and turned to face me.

“This morning he brought me breakfast and flowers. I hadn’t heard from you since yesterday night, and then I saw those photos of you and Blair that looked like…” I swallowed hard. “I was emotionally devastated. Maybe there was some spite involved. And I hadn’t eaten since last night, so I just ate the breakfast.”

The words tumbled out faster as my frustration grew. “You know what? The more I talk, the more I realize I didn’t do anything wrong. Why should I explain myself like this? Think whatever you want. I don’t owe you anything.”

I spun around, ready to storm out of the kitchen.

I’m not some criminal who needs to defend herself. He can sulk all he wants.

Strong fingers wrapped around my wrist before I could take two steps. Caelan pulled me back against his chest, his arms encircling

me tightly.

“Sabi. His voice was softer now. I’m not mad at you. I’m furious with myself for not being here when you needed me.”

1 melted slightly against him. Then why the cold shoulder?

“Because I hate that he got to comfort you when I should have been the one taking care of you. His arms tightened. I hate that you had to deal with his manipulation alone.

Relief flooded through me, followed quickly by guilt for my defensive reaction.

“There’s something else though. His voice turned careful. Darrell mentioned you two had coffee together. When did that happen?”

I sighed against his chest. “That day I made macarons for you. I ran into him when I was leaving to see you. I thought if I talked to

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Chapter 137

him, I could make him understand it was really over and stop bothering me.”

“But instead he showed you those photos.”

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“Yeah. He was trying to convince me you were cheating.” I pulled back to look at him. “He was so determined to break us up.”

“Well, I’m done talking about him.” I reached up to touch his face. “Can we agree not to let him control our conversations anymore? Our relationship doesn’t need him as a third wheel.”

“You’re absolutely right.” He caught my hand, pressing a kiss to my palm.

“I need you to do something for me though.” His voice dropped to almost a whisper. “I was really hurt just now. Darrell almost got in my head with his games.”

He paused, those blue eyes searching mine. “I discovered something about myself today. I lack security when it comes to you.”

“Sabi, I’m terrified of losing you.” The confession came out raw, honest. “I’m scared you’ll decide you don’t want me anymore.”

I reached up to cup his face with both hands.

“Then you better take good care of me.” I rose on my tiptoes, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”

A real smile finally broke across his features.

He pulled me closer, but his expression grew serious again. “Sabi, I don’t feel comfortable with you staying here anymore. Darrell is right downstairs. He’ll keep coming up here to bother you.”

“What do you suggest?”

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11:50 Fri, 22 Aug

From Substitute To Queen