From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 154

Chapter 154

The clinical phrasing made it somehow worse. As if our entire relationship could be reduced to a corporate press release.

I tried calling him. The phone rang once, twice, three times. Then it went to voicemail.

His recorded voice, warm and familiar, asking me to leave a message.

I hung up and immediately called again. Voicemail.

Again. Voicemail.

On the fourth try, my call was declined immediately.

I collapsed onto the bed, pulled a pillow to my chest, and cried until I fell into an exhausted sleep.

The ringing of my phone jolted me awake. The afternoon sun was slanting through the bedroom windows. I grabbed the device without looking at the caller ID.

“Hello?

“Sable? Thank God you answered. I’ve been trying to reach you for hours.”

Scarlett’s voice was tight with concern.

“Sorry, I was sleeping.”

“Are you okay? I saw the announcement about the engagement. What the hell happened?”

I closed my eyes, not wanting to relive it all again. “We broke up. It’s over.”

“Wait, what? You broke up?” Scarlett’s voice was filled with shock. “But you two were so happy! What happened? Did something go

wrong?

I rubbed my temples, not wanting to explain everything again. ‘I’ll explain later.”

“Sable, you don’t just end an engagement overnight without a reason. Did he…” Her voice dropped to a whisper. ‘Did that bastard cheat on you?”

The word made my stomach lurch. “Why would you ask that?”

“Because there’s something all over social media. That’s why I’ve been calling you nonstop.”

My heart started pounding. What scandal?

“You haven’t seen it? Scarlett’s voice was incredulous Sable, you need to check the trending topics right now. There are photos everywhere.

‘Photos of what?”

“Of Caelan. With another woman. That’s why he ended the engagement, isn’t it? Because he was cheating?”

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Chapter 154

The word ‘cheating’ made my heart sink like a stone. “What are you talking about?”

“Check your phone. Look at the trending topics. I’ll wait.”

With shaking hands, I opened social media. The top trending topic made my blood freeze:

#LycanKingScandal – “Caelan Spotted with Elena Rosewood at Luxury Hotel

My heart started hammering against my ribs. I clicked on the hashtag with trembling fingers.

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The photos loaded one by one. Caelan’s unmistakable profile as he walked into an upscale hotel. Beside him, a stunning brunette with her arm linked through his. Elena Rosewood, according to the caption. The daughter of the Rosewood pack’s Alpha.

In one photo, she was laughing at something he’d said, her hand resting on his arm. In another, he was holding the hotel door open for her, his expression relaxed and intimate.

“Elena Rosewood, I whispered into the phone.

“You know her?”

“Caelan never mentioned knowing her.” My voice sounded strange, disconnected.

My eyes kept returning to the photos.

“The hotel…” I couldn’t finish the sentence. The implications were too painful.

“Sable, I’m so sorry. What a bastard.”

My whole body started shaking. The phone slipped in my sweaty palm.

“I have to go.”

“Sable, wait-

I hung up and immediately dialed Caelan’s number.

This time, it rang. Once, twice, three times.

“Please pick up,” I whispered. “Please.”

On the fourth ring, someone answered.

“Caelan?” I said quickly. “The photos-theyre not real, are they? Tell me it’s not what it looks like.”

“Please,” I begged, tears already starting again. Just tell me the truth. I’ll believe whatever you say. Eonly trust you.”

“Sorry? Who is this?”

A woman’s voice Sweet, melodious, unfamiliar

My heart stopped

“Caely is in the shower right now and can t come to the phone. Can I take a message?”

Caely. Just like Camila called Darrell Kelly: An intimate, private name that only someone very close would use.

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Chapter 154

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The parallel was devastating. History repeating itself in the cruelest possible way. Another man I loved, another woman answering his phone, another betrayal that cut to the bone.

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Fri, 22 Aug

From Substitute To Queen