From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 184

Chapter 184

Then he pulled me against him with desperate force, his arms crushing me to his chest. His body began to shake.

At first it was just tremors. Then his shoulders started jerking. Finally, the sound broke from his throat-raw, broken sobs that seemed torn from somewhere deep inside him.

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I held him tighter as he fell apart in my arms. His tears mixed with the rain streaming down both our faces. Each sob felt like it was being ripped out of him against his will.

The powerful, controlled man I knew was gone. In his place was someone completely shattered.

I stroked his back and murmured wordless comfort, letting him cry until there was nothing left. Around us, the rain continued its relentless assault, but I didn’t care about anything except the broken man in my arms.

After what felt like hours, his sobs gradually quieted. He pulled back enough to look at me, taking in my completely drenched appearance.

“You’re soaked through…” His voice was rough and hoarse.

“I don’t mind. I’m not cold.”

“No.” He gripped my hand. “You’ll get sick. Come on, let’s get under cover.”

He pulled me toward the hospital’s covered entrance area. Several benches sat empty under the overhang, protected from the worst of the downpour. Rain still dripped from the edge of the roof, creating a curtain of water between us and the outside world.

We stood facing each other, both dripping wet and shivering slightly. Caelan’s hair was plastered to his forehead, his shirt transparent with water. I could see the outline of his chest rising and falling rapidly.

Long minutes passed in silence, broken only by the steady drumming of rain on the roof above.

“Caelan…” I reached toward him. “Are you okay?”

He shook his head without speaking.

“I’m sorry. That was a stupid question.”

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong.”

Do you…” I hesitated. “Want to talk about it?”

He shook his head slowly. “I don’t know what to say.”

“Then we don’t have to say anything.”

I watched water drip from his hair, searching for the right words. “I’ve been thinking… everyone has their own destiny.”

“Some pain we have to bear, but not alone.”

“I believe you’re strong enough to get through this.”

His voice came out barely audible. “I don’t feel strong…”

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12:07 Fri, 22 Aug PM.

Chapter 184

“I know I’m not good at comforting people…I really don’t know what to say… I just…

“You just what?”

I just hate seeing you in so much pain.”

I stepped forward and opened my arms again. “Would this… help at all?”

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Without hesitation, he stepped into my embrace. This time his arms came around me gently, like I was something precious he was afraid of breaking.

“How can you say you’re not good at comforting people?” he murmured against my shoulder. “You’re perfect at it.”

‘Really?”

“One hug from you is worth more than anything else in the world.”

His words made my chest tight. I know the pain can’t just disappear…and I can’t truly understand what you’re feeling…But I don’t want you to punish your body.”

I pulled back to meet his eyes. Go home. Right now,”

“I don’t want to go back there…”

“Caelan.” I made my voice firm. “You need dry clothes, a hot shower, and rest. That’s not negotiable.”

He studied my serious expression. “If that’s what you’re asking me to do…”

“It’s exactly what I’m asking.”

“Then I’ll do it.”

Edward came running toward us, his breathing labored and urgent.

“Your Majesty, we need to leave immediately.” He glanced at me with a polite nod. “Miss Crawford.”

Caelan’s eyes stayed fixed on me, reluctance written across every line of his face. “I…”

“Your Majesty, the situation is critical.” Edward lowered his voice but the urgency remained clear. “The media is already gathering. We need to return now to handle the aftermath.”

Caelan turned back to me. “Are you sure you don’t need me to drive you home? It’s still raining, and the road conditions might be dangerous.”

I shook my head gently. “No, I can get back on my own. You… you go take care of your business.”

He stared at me deeply, rainwater dripping from his dark hair. “Then please drive carefully. If anything happens…”

“I will.” I cut him off softly. “You take care of yourself too.”

Edward cleared his throat quietly, reminding us of the time pressure.

“Sabi, we… Caelan hesitated.

“Your Majesty.” Edward’s tone grew more insistent.

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12:07 Fri, 22 Aug PM.

Chapter 184

Caelan finally managed only: “I’ll contact you later tonight.”

The two men left quickly, and I watched their figures disappear into the curtain of rain.

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Back in my office, I caught sight of myself in the mirror-completely soaked, my hair plastered to my head. The memory of holding Caelan close flooded back, making my cheeks warm despite the cold dampness of my clothes.

I changed into the dry clothes I always kept in my office for situations like this, but my heart refused to settle. Marcus’s suicide kept replaying in my mind alongside the image of Caelan’s anguished expression. The mixture of emotions churned in my stomach- grief, worry, confusion all tangled together.

My primary concern was Caelan’s current state. How was he coping with losing his father?

Once home, I tried to distract myself by making a simple dinner-spaghetti with tomato sauce. As I stood at the stove, stirring the sauce, my thoughts drifted to Marcus. Why had he chosen suicide? What had driven him to that final, desperate act?

The image of Caelan’s face-broken, lost, like a child who’d lost everything-made my chest tighten with sympathy and worry.

Lost in these dark thoughts, I didn’t notice the water boiling over until scalding liquid splashed onto the back of my hand.

“Ah!” I hissed, jerking my hand away.

I rushed to the sink, running cold water over the burn. The skin throbbed painfully, but what struck me more was how this small accident made me realize I couldn’t concentrate on anything.

I’d just sat down with my plate of pasta when my phone rang.

“Sable! I just saw the news-Marcus Blackwood is dead? Jesus, what happened?” Scarlett’s voice was sharp with shock.

I set down my fork. “He… he jumped from the hospital.”

“What?! Suicide? Why? What the hell happened?”

I gave her a brief explanation, carefully omitting any details about being present at the scene.

“That’s terrible. Why would he choose that way out? He must have faced something devastating.” Scarlett’s voice softened with sympathy.

I have no idea what the specific reason was. Probably internal family issues.”

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From Substitute To Queen