From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 208

Chapter 208

The sacred ceremony room felt like stepping into another world. Ancient stone walls rose around us, carved with symbols that predated written history. In the center stood a crescent-shaped obsidian altar, its surface polished to mirror brightness. Above us, the domed ceiling displayed a painted night sky with a full moon carved in relief at its apex.

Caelan moved to an ornate wooden cabinet and retrieved the ritual implements: a crescent-shaped silver blade and a crystal vial filled with blessed water.

We stood on opposite sides of the altar, less than three feet apart but it felt like a chasm.

He began the ancient Latin incantation, his voice broken and halting:

“Luna Goddess… witness this sacred severance…”

The blade caught the light as he raised it. He pressed the silver tip to his palm and drew it across. Blood welled immediately, dripping onto the moon symbol carved into the altar’s center.

The sigil blazed with silver light.

He handed me the blade. I took it and sliced across my own palm. My blood joined his on the altar, and the silver glow intensified.

Caelan’s voice cracked as he spoke the formal words:

“I, Caelan Blackwood…” He paused, swallowing hard. “Willingly sever the sacred mate bond with Sable Crawford.”

Another pause. “May she… may she be free. May she find happiness.”

The last words were barely audible.

My turn. I spoke clearly, each word deliberate:

“I, Sable Crawford, formally sever the mate bond with Caelan Blackwood. From this day forward, we are strangers. No connection

remains between us.”

Caelan poured the sacred water over both our bloodstains. The water mixed with our blood, creating intricate patterns that glowed

with ethereal light before slowly fading.

Then it happened.

Pain like nothing I’d ever experienced tore through my nervous system. Every cell in my body screamed as the bond that had connected us snapped like a broken cable, I gripped the altar’s edge, knuckles white, fighting to stay upright.

Caelan staggered, sweat beading his forehead. The mental connection that had allowed us to sense each other’s emotions vanished completely, leaving an aching void.

The mark on my neck-his claiming bite-began to fade until nothing remained but smooth skin.

It’s done. I’m free.

I turned toward the door immediately.

But Caelan moved faster than I expected. His arms came around me from behind, pulling me against his chest. His face buried in my shoulder, and I felt his tears soaking through my shirt.

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Chapter 208

I stood perfectly still. No struggling. No response.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered brokenly. “I’m so sorry…”

His voice shook against my ear. “I love you, Sabi.”

“I know I have no right to say this now… but I need you to know… you were the best thing that ever happened to me.”

“Whatever happens, whatever you think of me… please remember that my love for you was real.”

Tears rolled down my cheeks silently, but I made no sound. My hands remained clenched at my sides.

After what felt like eternity, he released me. I heard his footsteps as he moved around to face me.

When I looked down, he was on his knees, eye level with my growing belly.

With trembling hands, he touched my stomach gently.

“Hi, baby girl… it’s Daddy.”

His tears fell onto my clothes. “Daddy has to go away now… but I want you to know that Daddy loves you so much.”

“You’re going to be the most beautiful, smartest little girl in the world… just like your Mommy.”

“Take care of Mommy for me, okay? Make sure she’s happy… make sure she smiles.”

He pressed his lips to my belly in the softest kiss. “Goodbye, my little princess. Daddy will always love you.”

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Watching him say goodbye to our unborn daughter shattered what was left of my heart. The tears came harder now, though I tried

to hide them.

When he finished, I forced my voice to work.

“I’m going back to my father’s house. Have someone pack all my things and send them there.”

“From now on, we have no connection to each other.”

Caelan slowly got to his feet. “Sabi…”

I pushed open the door and walked out, never looking back.

My footsteps echoed in the hallway as I left him behind forever. I didn’t slow down until the sound of my own breathing was the only thing I could hear.

Behind me, in that sacred room, I left the love of my life.

And somehow, I kept walking.

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Caelan insisted on having the driver take me home. I didn’t argue. Just nodded once.

The ride to Crawford Manor passed in suffocating silence. I sat in the backseat staring out the window, watching familiar landmarks

blur past.

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Chapter 208

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When the car stopped at the manor’s gates, I managed a quiet thank you to the driver. He nodded respectfully, his eyes carefully avoiding mine.

The front door opened before I could reach for the handle.

“Sable? Rodrigo’s voice carried shock and concern.

He took in my appearance-the hollow look in my eyes, the way I held myself like I was trying not to break apart. His face darkened

immediately.

“What happened? Where’s Caelan?”

I stepped inside and closed the door behind me. Victoria appeared in the hallway, Mary close behind her. Even Daisy peeked around the corner from the living room.

“Sable, honey-” Victoria started.

“Caelan killed Isabella.”

The words fell like stones into still water. The silence that followed was deafening.

Rodrigo went completely rigid. “What did you just say?”

“He killed my mother during that war.” My voice sounded detached, clinical. “I have proof. I’ve severed our mate bond.”

“That’s impossible.” Victoria’s hand flew to her throat.

“There has to be some mistake,” Rodrigo said firmly. “I know Caelan. He would never-”

“Dad.” I looked directly into his eyes. “It’s done. I can’t be with him anymore.”

Mary stepped forward. “Sable, you’re in shock. Maybe you should sit down, have some tea-”

‘I’m not in shock. I saw the evidence myself.” I touched my neck where Caelan’s mark used to be. The skin was smooth now, unmarked. “Whether it was intentional or not doesn’t matter. He’s responsible for her death.”

Rodrigo shook his head repeatedly. “No. I was there, Sable. I found her. She was attacked by rogues-*

‘She was stabbed with a silver dagger. Caelan’s dagger.”

The words hit him like physical blows. His face went ashen.

“That… that can’t be right.”

“A witness saw him holding the weapon while Mom was dying beside him.”

Victoria sank into the nearest chair. “Oh my God.”

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From Substitute To Queen