From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 146

Chapter 146

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Now even your own father wants her dead!” His voice broke on the last word. “Tell me, who else in your family sees her as a threat? Your mother? Your cousins? How many more people want my daughter in the ground?

I had no answer. My family’s dysfunction was a cancer that kept spreading, and Sable was paying the price.

“You don’t know, do you?” Rodrigo’s laugh was bitter and broken. “As her boyfriend, you don’t know your own father’s motivations? Or maybe you just can’t control your own family?”

The accusation stung because it was true. I was supposed to be the Lycan King-the most powerful werewolf alive-but I couldn’t even protect the woman I loved from my own blood.

“You claim to be the strongest, Caelan. The Lycan King with ultimate power. But you can’t control your father, and you can’t protect your woman. What kind of king does that make you?”

“I… I’ll get stronger.”

“Stronger?” Rodrigo wiped his eyes roughly. “You’re already at the top. The problem isn’t your strength-it’s your existence. Being with you is a curse on her life!”

Each word landed exactly where it would cause maximum damage.

“What is love, Caelan?”

The question caught me off guard. “Love is… being willing to sacrifice everything for her.”

“Everything? Including yourself? Including letting her go to keep her safe?”

I couldn’t answer.

“Real love means wanting her happiness above your own selfish desires. It means not dragging her down with you into hell.”

Rodrigo leaned forward, his voice dropping to a whisper that somehow carried more weight than his shouting.

“Picture this: you marry her, have children. Your enemies will target your kids. Your family will treat her like an outsider forever. She’ll live in constant fear, and your children will grow up as moving targets. Is that the future you want to give her?”

He’s right. Everyone around me becomes a target.

‘I don’t hate you, Caelan. I can see you’re a good man, and I believe you love her. But love isn’t enough when it comes with a death

sentence.”

“If you really love Sable-if you’re not just a selfish bastard-you know what you have to do.”

‘Leave her.’

“It’s the only way to truly protect her. The only thing you can do that actually shows love instead of selfishness.”

Darrell stepped closer. “Rodrigo’s absolutely right. Look what you’ve brought into her life-death, fear, constant danger. Is this what love looks like to you?”

I sat in complete silence, my head bowed under the weight of their words.

Caelan. Look around you. Look at what being with you has cost her. If you can’t see it now, you never will.”

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Chapter 146

The emergency room doors opened again. This time, the head surgeon emerged, pulling off his surgical musk.

The patient has been stabilized. We’ve moved her to the ICU, but she’s going to recover. Only one family member can vict

time.”

Which family member would like to visit the patient first?

I felt Rodrigo shift beside me, his body tensing with anticipation.

Ill go, Rodrigo said immediately, already taking a step toward the doors.

“Wait. Let me go first.”

Rodrigo spun around, his eyes flashing with indignation. “Excuse me?”

“Please. My voice cracked despite my efforts to keep it steady. Let me see her first.”

“Are you out of your mind?” Rodrigo’s hands clenched into fists. “She’s my daughter!

I swallowed hard, feeling the weight of what I was about to say. “This might be… this might be the last time I see her

Rodrigo’s expression shifted from anger to something else entirely-understanding, maybe. Or pity.

Darrell’s cold laughter echoed off the sterile walls. I could feel his smug satisfaction radiating from across the hallway, but I didn’t spare him a glance.

Rodrigo studied my face for a long moment. Something in my expression must have convinced him because he stepped back slowly. his shoulders sagging.

I nodded and walked toward the ICU doors.

I found Sable’s room at the end of the corridor.

My hand hesitated on the door handle. Once I walked through that door, everything would change. Once I said what I came to say. there would be no going back.

1 pushed the door open.

Sable lay still as death against the white hospital sheets. Her face was pale as porcelain, her head wrapped in pristine bandages. Various tubes and wires connected her to machines that monitored every breath, every heartbeat.

The sight of her like this-so fragile, so broken-nearly brought me to my knees.

‘Don’t do this,” Storm whimpered in my mind. Please, Caelan. Think about what you’re doing.”

I ignored him and moved closer to her bedside. On the nightstand, her personal belongings were arranged in a neat row-earrings, bracelet, necklace. And there, catching the light from the overhead fluorescents, the diamond engagement ring I’d placed on her finger just hours ago.

Sable’s radiant smile when I’d proposed. The way her eyes had sparkled with happiness and tears. The softness of her lips when she’d whispered “yes.”

“She’s our fated mate, Storm’s voice was breaking. If you leave her, you’ll destroy us both.

I reached out and took Sable’s hand. Her skin was ice cold, but I could feel the steady pulse at her wrist.

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11:53 Fri, 22 Aug 0PM.

Chapter 146

I’m sorry, Sabi. This is all my fault.”

Tears I’d been holding back finally spilled over, dropping onto our joined hands.

I love you more than my own life. But because I love you, I have to let you go.”

Your father was right. Being with me is a curse on your life. I brushed a strand of hair away from her bandaged forehead. “My existence brings you nothing but pain.

“Stop this, Storm begged. “You’re making a mistake.”

“When you wake up, you’ll go back to the hospital. You’ll save lives, perform surgeries, help people. No one will target you because of me. No more explosions, no more kidnappings, no more nightmares.”

My voice grew steadier as I painted the picture of her future-a future without me.

“Maybe after I catch Lucian, we could try again. But no… I don’t trust myself anymore. I’m terrified you’ll get hurt again because of me. So it’s better if we part ways. Like two lines that once intersected, slowly moving in different directions until there’s no connection left.”

1 could barely see through my tears now, but I forced myself to continue.

“You’ll meet someone good. Someone who’ll love you gently, give you the peaceful life you deserve. You’ll get married in spring- you’ll wear the most beautiful dress, your face unmarked by scars, your eyes filled only with happiness.”

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From Substitute To Queen