From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 164

Chapter 164

Darrell’s mind raced as he tried to decode Lucian’s words. Dead people… surrounded by the dead… He has to mean some kind of cemetery or burial ground. But which one?

“I see… that’s certainly a clever choice, he managed.

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Lucian’s tone suddenly shifted, becoming suspicious. “Wait a minute. Why are you asking so many questions? You’re not planning to sell out my location, are you?”

Darrell quickly denied the accusation. “How could I possibly do that? We’re allies, and I’m just concerned about your safety. Besides, we’re tied together now. Why would I betray you?” He paused, then added with calculated sincerity, “My goal has already been achieved-Sable and Caelan have completely broken up, and soon she’ll return to my arms. I have no reason to betray you.”

Satisfaction colored Lucian’s response. “At least you still have some conscience. But you need to be careful too. Don’t let Caelan discover our connection.”

“Of course, I’ll be extremely cautious,” Darrell assured him. “Take care of yourself, and contact me if you need anything.”

After ending the call, Darrell remained in his car, a victorious smile spreading across his face. His fingers drummed against the steering wheel as pieces of his plan fell into place.

Caelan and Sable are finished. Now it’s time to eliminate all remaining obstacles. First, I’ll deal with Lucian and remove that threat permanently. Then I can focus completely on winning Sable back. Without Caelan’s interference and without Lucian’s schemes, she’ll finally understand that I’m the only one who truly loves and protects her.

He started the engine, his smile widening as he pulled away from the curb. Everything was proceeding exactly according to plan.

Caelan’s POV

Peter grabbed Sable’s left arm while Scarlett took her right, both struggling to keep her upright as they made their way across the parking lot. She could barely stand, swaying between them like a rag doll soaked in tequila.

“Careful with her head,” Peter muttered as they maneuvered her toward his car. “She’s completely wasted.”

Scarlett adjusted her grip, trying to support more of Sable’s weight. “I’ve never seen her this drunk before.”

I watched from the shadows as they wrestled her into the back seat. Peter’s car door slammed shut with a metallic thunk.

Just as they pulled away, I turned the key in my ignition. The black sedan purred to life without a sound. I kept my headlights off until they reached the main road, then followed at a safe distance.

My heart hammered against my ribs. I hadn’t planned this-hadn’t planned to follow her tonight. But when I saw her stumbling out of that bar, mascara streaking down her cheeks, something inside me snapped. I needed to know she got home safely. I needed to see her, even if just from a distance.

Peter’s sedan pulled up to Sable’s apartment building, parking directly under a streetlight. I killed my engine around the corner, nestled in darkness. Through my windshield, I watched them struggle to extract her from the back seat.

“She’s out cold,” Scarlett said, her voice carrying through the quiet night.

I slipped out of my car once I saw them disappear into the lobby. Taking the other elevator, I reached Sable’s floor just before they did. The familiar ding announced their arrival as I ducked around the corner, pressing myself against the wall.

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11:59 Fri, 22 Aug PM.

Chapter 164

“Which apartment is hers again? Peter asked, his voice strained from carrying Sable’s deadweight.

“End of the hall, Scarlett answered. “Just help me get her to bed.”

I heard them fumbling with keys, then the click of her apartment door opening.

Minutes passed. I stayed frozen in place, barely breathing. Finally, her door opened again.

“She’s going to have one hell of a hangover tomorrow,” Scarlett said, stepping into the hallway.

Peter followed, then paused. He cleared his throat loudly-once, deliberately-before turning to leave.

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I waited until the elevator doors closed behind them before approaching her apartment. Slipping inside, I closed it silently behind

I moved quietly toward her bedroom. The door was ajar, a sliver of light from the hallway cutting across her bed. She lay curled on her side, still fully dressed, her shoes kicked off haphazardly on the floor. Even in the dim light, I could see the tear tracks on her cheeks.

Dropping to my knees beside her bed, I studied her face. She looked so small, so vulnerable. My chest ached with a pain so intense I

could barely breathe.

“Caelan,” she whimpered suddenly, her voice thick with tears though her eyes remained closed. “Why don’t you want me anymore?”

I froze, my entire body going rigid at the sound of my name on her lips.

“Did I do something wrong?” Her voice cracked, more tears leaking from beneath her closed eyelids. “You big jerk… you promised you’d protect me…”

Every word was a knife twisting deeper into my heart. I reached out with a trembling hand, gently wiping away a tear with my

thumb.

“Yes,” I whispered, my voice so hoarse I barely recognized it. “I’m the biggest jerk in the world. The worst piece of shit alive.”

Somehow sensing my presence, she shifted in her sleep, instinctively moving toward me. Like a wounded kitten seeking warmth, she nuzzled against my palm, her cheek soft against my skin.

“Caelan,” she murmured, her voice suddenly soft as cotton candy. “Don’t go… please don’t leave me… Sabi will be good… Sabi will do whatever you say…”

That name-Sabi-hit me like a bullet to the chest. My special name for her. No one else called her that.

My heart is melting Seeing her trust me like this, depend on me like this-the love I feel is overwhelming. But with that sweetness comes crushing pain and guilt. How could I have pushed away the most precious girl in the world? How could I let her suffer like this?

I couldn’t resist any longer. I leaned down and pressed my lips to hers in the gentlest kiss I could manage.

To my shock, she responded in her unconscious state, her arms instinctively wrapping around my neck as if this was what she’d been dreaming of all along.

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11:59 Fri, 22 Aug P

From Substitute To Queen