From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 193

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Chapter 193

“That’s Justin, Marcus’s brother, Caelan murmured as we approached. “And Julie, his sister.”

Several other family members clustered nearby, speaking in hushed tones and casting furtive glances at Katherine and me.

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The priest stood at the head of the grave in black robes, his voice carrying across the cemetery as he read from his prayer book.

I walked directly to Katherine. When she saw me, surprise flickered across her grief-stricken features.

“Katherine,” I said softly. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”

She stared at me for several long seconds, her mouth opening and closing as if she wanted to speak but couldn’t find the words.

I didn’t try to force conversation. Instead, I simply stood beside her, a quiet presence of support.

When the priest finished his final prayer and stepped away, Justin suddenly whirled toward Katherine.

“This is all your fault!” His voice boomed across the cemetery. “My brother is dead because of you!”

He jabbed a finger at Katherine’s face. “Do you feel any guilt at all for what you’ve done to him?”

Julie stepped forward, her voice shrill with accusation. “If you had agreed to divorce him years ago, Marcus wouldn’t have suffered

so much!”

“You selfish woman!” Her face contorted with rage. “You forced him to stay in a loveless marriage!”

“He loved Melissa, not you! But you couldn’t let him go, could you?” Justin’s voice grew louder. “You trapped him, made him miserable every single day!”

“If you had any decency, you would have set him free! Then he might still be alive!”

Katherine’s lips trembled as tears rolled down her cheeks. Her body swayed dangerously, and I could see her legs beginning to give out. Only Caelan’s strong arm around her waist kept her upright.

Julie stormed forward and shoved Katherine hard in the shoulder. “Answer me! Don’t you have anything to say for yourself?”

“Stop it,” Caelan commanded, stepping between them.

But Justin wasn’t finished. He bent down and picked up a stone from beside the grave-roughly the size of his fist, with jagged edges that could do serious damage.

“You should die with him!” Justin drew his arm back. “Go to hell together!”

The stone flew through the air aimed directly at Katherine’s head.

Without thinking, I threw myself in front of her, wrapping my arms around her trembling form. The stone struck my shoulder with brutal force, sending pain shooting down my arm. I bit back a cry, holding Katherine tighter.

“Stop!” I turned to face Justin, my voice ringing with authority. That’s enough! How dare you attack a grieving widow!”

‘She’s lost her husband and you want to hurt her more?’ I stepped forward, putting myself firmly between Katherine and her attackers. “Have you no shame?”

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Chapter 193

Katherine’s arms came around me, and I could feel her whole body shaking against mine.

Caelan’s power exploded outward like a sonic boom. The overwhelming force of his dominance dropped every person in the cemetery to their knees except for Katherine and me.

Justin and Julie hit the ground hard, their faces pressed into the dirt as they struggled against the Alpha command flooding their

systems.

“This is my father’s funeral,” Caelan’s voice was deadly quiet, more terrifying than any shout. “Not a place for your petty grievances.”

His cold gaze swept over the cowering relatives. “You dare attack my woman? Threaten my mother?”

Edward appeared with several pack guards, surrounding the troublemakers. “Your Majesty?”

“Remove them from Blackwood territory. Permanently.” Caelan’s tone brooked no argument. “They are never to return.”

“Yes, sir.” Edward gestured to his men, who hauled the protesting relatives to their feet and began dragging them away.

As their voices faded into the distance, Katherine’s knees finally gave out. I caught her as she collapsed, her face chalk-white with

shock.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Sable… you protected me.”

Her trembling hand touched my injured shoulder. “You’re hurt because of me. After how terribly I’ve treated you…”

“You don’t need to apologize,” I said gently, helping support her weight. “We’re family, Katherine. Family protects each other.”

Katherine’s eyes filled with fresh tears, but these seemed different somehow. Softer.

“Sable, I…” she started to say, but then her words turned into a gasp of pain.

She pressed her hand to her chest, her breathing becoming rapid and shallow. “I can’t… I can’t breathe…”

Her skin turned an alarming shade of gray, and cold sweat broke out across her forehead. She clutched at her dress, her fingers clawing at the fabric over her heart.

“Mom!” Caelan caught her as she started to fall backward. “What’s wrong?”

Katherine’s lips were turning blue, and her body began convulsing in Caelan’s arms. Her eyes rolled back, showing only the whites.

“Edward!” Caelan’s voice cracked with panic, “Call an ambulance! Now!”

I dropped to my knees beside them, my medical training kicking in automatically. “Lay her flat! Quickly!”

My fingers found her pulse point-weak and irregular. Her breathing was becoming more labored by the second.

“Dilated pupils, irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing,” I announced, my voice calm despite the adrenaline coursing through me. “Possible acute myocardial infarction.”

I tilted Katherine’s head back to open her airway and positioned my hands on her chest. The heel of my palm pressed against her breastbone, my other hand interlocked on top.

“One, two, three, four…” I counted aloud as I administered chest compressions, putting my full weight behind each one.

After thirty compressions, I tilted her head back and gave her two rescue breaths, watching for her chest to rise and fall.

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Chapter 193

“Come on, Katherine, I murmured, returning to compressions. “Stay with us.”

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My arms were beginning to ache, but I didn’t stop. Couldn’t stop. Every compression was a chance to keep her heart beating, keep blood flowing to her brain.

By the time the paramedics arrived, Katherine’s vital signs had stabilized. They loaded her onto a stretcher and into the ambulance, Caelan climbing in beside her.

As they prepared to close the doors, Katherine’s eyes found mine. Despite her weakness, she managed to speak.

“Sable…” Her voice was barely a whisper. “You saved my life. You’re… you’re a good girl. Caelan chose well.”

Tears blurred my vision. “Don’t talk, Katherine. Save your strength.”

“I want to try again,” she continued, her words slurred but determined. “To be better. Will you… will you give me a chance to be your mother-in-law?”

My throat closed up with emotion. “Of course, Katherine. We’ll have plenty of time for that.”

Three hours later, I stood in the doorway of Katherine’s VIP room, watching Caelan maintain his silent vigil.

Katherine lay peaceful against white pillows, her breathing steady and even. The monitors showed strong, regular vital signs. Color had returned to her cheeks.

Caelan occupied the leather chair beside her bed.

Katherine is Caelan’s only family now.

I moved quietly into the room. Caelan didn’t look up until I knelt beside his chair, bringing myself to his eye level.

“You didn’t lose her.” I placed my hand over his free one. “Katherine is strong. She’s going to be fine.”

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Chapter 193

“Come on, Katherine, I murmured, returning to compressions. “Stay with us.”

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