From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 209

Chapter 209

Daisy emerged fully from behind the corner, confusion written across her small features. “Sissy? What’s wrong?”

1 knelt and gathered her into my arms.

“Nothing’s wrong, baby. Just some grown-up stuff.”

But Daisy was sharper than we gave her credit for. She studied my face.

“You’re sad. Did Caelan make you sad?”

“Sometimes adults have to make difficult choices, Daisy.”

Rodrigo was still processing, still struggling with the information. “Sable, I’ve known Caelan since he was twelve years old. I’ve watched him grow up. He loved your mother-”

“Dad, please. Exhaustion seeped into my voice. “I can’t keep having this conversation. It’s over.”

“But the baby-”

“The baby will be fine. We’ll be fine.”

I stood slowly, still holding Daisy’s hand.

“I just need some time to figure things out.”

Victoria rose and came to my other side. “Of course, sweetheart. Whatever you need.”

Rodrigo looked like he wanted to argue further, but something in my expression stopped him. After a long moment, he nodded

reluctantly.

“Whatever makes you happy. That’s all that matters.”

“Thank you, Dad.”

I returned to my room, sat on the edge of my bed and slipped off my wedding rings before I placed both rings in the top drawer of my nightstand.

I lay back against the pillows and reached for my old stuffed rabbit-a faded brown bunny I’d named Cocoa. She’d sat on my shelf for years, but now I needed her softness.

Holding Cocoa against my chest, i finally let the tears come.

They fell silently at first, then harder, until my whole body shook with sobs.

“I’m sorry, baby.” I whispered to my belly, one hand resting on the small bump Mommy couldn’t give you a complete family.”

I cried for my mother, who I’d never really gutten to mourn properly. I cried for the future I imagined with Caelan. I cried for my daughter, who would grow up without knowing her father

Later in the afternoon, a black SUV was parked in the driveway, two uniformed men unloading several large suitcases.

I watched as they carefully brought in my belongings from Blackwood Castle. Everything was perfectly organized-my clothes neatly

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Chapter 209

folded, my books properly packed, even the prenatal vitamins Caelan had been so careful about.

On top of the largest suitcase sat a single white card.

I picked it up.

“Take care of yourself and the baby. – C

The careful handwriting blurred as fresh tears filled my eyes.

I pressed the note to my chest and cried again.

སཾ ཊཱི 85%▪

Two days crawled by like wounded animals.

I barely left my room except for meals, and even then I only managed a few bites before retreating back upstairs. My family tiptoed around me, speaking in hushed voices, shooting concerned glances my way when they thought I wasn’t looking.

On the second night, I waited until the house fell silent. Everyone had been asleep for hours when I finally crept out of bed.

Moving as quietly as possible, I gathered a few essential items-some clothes, my passport, the small framed photo of my family. Everything fit into a single duffel bag.

I sat at my desk and pulled out a sheet of stationery. My hands shook as I picked up a pen.

Dear Dad,

When you read this letter, I’ll already be gone. Please don’t panic, and please don’t look for me. I need time alone to process everything.

I’ve watched all of you suffering because of my pain these past few days. I see the worry in Victoria’s eyes, the confusion in Daisy’s face, the exhaustion in Mary’s every movement. Most of all, I see the helplessness in your eyes, Dad. I can’t stay here and let my grief infect everyone I love.

I need to leave this place that’s filled with memories. I need to take our baby somewhere far from all this pain and give her a fresh start. I need time to heal myself.

Dad, please don’t worry about me. I’ll take care of myself and the baby. I’ll find somewhere safe to live. This isn’t a permanent goodbye- when my heart has healed, when I can smile at life again, I’ll come back to you. I promise I’ll come back.

Please tell Daisy that her sister loves her very much and wants her to grow up happy. Tell Victoria thank you for all the care she’s given this family. Tell Mary I’ll remember every meal she made for me.

Dad, please forgive your daughter for being selfish. I know leaving like this is cruel, but I need this time to find myself again. When I’m ready, when my heart is completely healed, I’ll come back with your granddaughter and show you a new, stronger Sable.

“Love always,

Sable

The paper was spotted with tearstains by the time I finished. I folded it carefully and set it aside.

I tiptoed to Daisy’s room and peered through the crack in her door. She was fast asleep, one arm wrapped around her favorite stuffed elephant.

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Chapter 209

“Daisy,” I whispered. “Your Sabelate is leaving but please remember I love you.”

Next, I stopped outside Rodrigo’s door.

“Dad,” I said softly. “Your daughter is leaving now. Please take care of yourself.”

I placed the letter on the dining room table where Dad would find it in the morning, then slipped out the front door.

The taxi I’d called was waiting at the end of the driveway.

The driver was kind enough to offer me tissues when he noticed my tears. I accepted them gratefully.

85%

As we pulled away, I turned for one last look at Crawford Manor. The windows were dark, my family still sleeping peacefully inside.

Goodbye, I thought. I’ll be back someday.

Third Person POV

On the way to the airport, another black sedan traveled through the night in the opposite direction. In the passenger seat, Caelan sat pale and haggard, his face etched with exhaustion and pain. Something gnawed at him-an inexplicable sense of foreboding that he couldn’t shake.

The two vehicles approached the highway intersection. One taxi turning left toward the airport, one sedan continuing straight

toward town.

In the taxi, Sable kept her head down, staring at her phone as she deleted Caelan’s contact information. She never looked up.

In the sedan, Caelan leaned back against the seat with his eyes closed.

The cars passed within meters of each other, two broken hearts traveling in opposite directions, neither aware of how close they’d

come.

As the distance between them grew, both felt something shift.

Sable experienced a sudden, sharp pain in her chest. She turned instinctively to look back, but saw only the taillights of a black car disappearing into the darkness.

In the other vehicle, Caelan was struck by an overwhelming sense of emptiness, as if something vital had just been torn away from him. He didn’t understand what or why.

The sky began to weep soft rain, as if the heavens themselves mourned this missed connection.

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From Substitute To Queen