From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 169

Chapter 169

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“I just returned from abroad recently and don’t have many friends here yet. Meeting you today, seeing how wonderful and brave you

are…”

Hope shone in her expression. “I know this might sound presumptuous, but… could we be friends?”

Her excitement grew. I mean, even though I’m with Caelan now, I’d really love to be your friend. We could go shopping together, watch movies, have afternoon tea…”

She clasped her hands like an eager child. “You know? I rarely meet someone who makes me feel this instant connection.”

Hearing this invitation stirred complicated feelings in my chest. She’s Caelan’s girlfriend… would it be appropriate for us to become friends?

“Elena, thank you for your kindness, truly. You’re a lovely person.” I paused, my voice becoming gentler. “But… considering our situation, I think maintaining some distance might be better for everyone.”

“This isn’t because I don’t like you,” I explained sincerely. “I just think this choice would be best for Caelan, for you, and for me.”

Elena’s smile stiffened momentarily before returning to normal.

“Oh… I understand. I was being inconsiderate. This might make Caelan uncomfortable.” She laughed it off. “No worries, I understand your thinking.”

As I stood to leave, Elena rose as well and opened her arms. “Sable, could I hug you? As a thank you-you really saved me today.”

I nodded and slowly opened my arms to accept the embrace.

Just as we were about to hug, a strong arm shot out from the side.

Caelan grabbed Elena’s wrist forcefully, pulling her toward him. The movement was so abrupt that Elena nearly lost her balance.

She tumbled into Caelan’s chest, instantly transforming into a delicate, dependent figure.

I awkwardly lowered my arms, my heart clenching with pain.

Elena gazed up at Caelan with sweet adoration, her eyes filled with innocent surprise.

“Caely, you scared me! I thought someone was attacking…” She pouted playfully. “Where were you? You took so long parking the car. The baby and I were getting worried…”

Caelan’s POV

Hearing the word “baby,” my facial muscles twitched uncontrollably. I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to maintain surface calm, then slowly turned to face Sable,

Sable watched this “loving” couple before her, something inside her completely shattering.

She bit her lower lip, then released it and looked directly into my eyes. “Caelan, could I speak with you privately?”

My pupils contracted slightly. I could sense this conversation would be different from all the others.

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Chapter 169

I glanced at Elena, my voice slightly strained. “Elena, could you…”

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Elena nodded understandingly with a sweet smile. “Of course, I’ll wait for you both at the coffee shop over there. Don’t talk too long, okay?”

Sable watched Elena rise on her tiptoes to kiss my cheek before walking away.

We found a relatively quiet seating area in a corner of the hospital. Afternoon sunlight streamed through large windows, creating dappled patterns of light and shadow on the floor.

Silence stretched between us for several seconds, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Sable’s gaze fell on my wrist, where she noticed the watch she’d given me.

“You’re still wearing it,” she said softly.

I instinctively looked down at my wrist, my throat working. “I… forgot to take it off.”

“That’s okay,” Sable smiled faintly. “Just… remember to remove it in the future.”

“Caelan, I want to tell you that I’ve accepted it.” Her voice was measured. “I’ve accepted the fact that we broke up, accepted that you

have a new life.”

“You know what? These past few days, I’ve been thinking, and maybe I finally understand something.” She met my eyes. “Love really can disappear, and hearts really can change. This isn’t anyone’s fault-it’s just life.”

“Someone told me I should forgive your betrayal, that it’s normal for men with money and power to cheat.”

She shook her head. “She also said women lose value as they age, and advised me to find someone suitable while I’m still young.”

A self-deprecating gleam entered her eyes. “I was furious then, felt like she was humiliating me. But now I think maybe some of what she said wasn’t completely wrong.”

She took a deep breath. “Not that women lose value, but that… we should all take responsibility for our own happiness instead of placing our hopes in others.”

“At first, I couldn’t accept that you’d changed your mind. I desperately searched for reasons, trying to understand why you’d fallen out of love, wondering if I wasn’t good enough.”

She smiled bitterly. “But now I realize that maybe the arranged engagement was a mistake from the beginning. I was too young, didn’t understand what real love meant.”

‘Elena is a wonderful girl-kind, genuine… she deserves to be treasured. And I should learn to let go. Not because of hate or anger, but because I finally understand that true love means wanting the other person to be happy, even if it’s not with you.”

Sable’s final blessing carried genuine goodwill in her voice. “I sincerely wish you happiness, Caelan. I hope you and Elena will be happy together, and I hope your child grows up healthy.”

Listening to every word Sable spoke, I felt like someone was carving my heart out with a knife, piece by piece.

I realized this wasn’t an ordinary conversation-this was Sable saying her final goodbye to me.

No! Don’t do this! I don’t want your blessing! I want you to hate me, curse me, anything but this calm departure!

I desperately reached out, wanting to grab her, wanting to tell her the truth.

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Chapter 169

But when the words reached my throat, I found I couldn’t say anything.

“Sable… I…” My voice was so hoarse I could barely speak.

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“There’s no need to say anything, Caelan.” Sable shook her head gently, cutting me off. “Some words don’t need to be said anymore.”

She turned and walked away. I stood rooted in place, helplessly watching her retreating figure grow smaller.

Sunlight stretched her shadow long across the floor until it finally disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

I forced myself to take several deep breaths before leaving the hospital.

This is what you wanted, I reminded myself harshly. She’s finally giving up. She’ll be safe now.

But the knowledge felt like swallowing glass.

I pushed through the hospital’s revolving doors and crossed the street to the small café where Elena waited.

Elena sat by the window, looking perfectly at ease as she sipped her coffee.

I approached her table with the predatory stride of an apex predator. My hands were steady, but rage simmered beneath the surface.

Elena looked up as I reached her, and whatever she saw in my expression made her eyes widen slightly. Before she could speak, I grabbed her by the collar of her silk blouse and hauled her to her feet.

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12:01 Fri, 22 Aug PM.

From Substitute To Queen