From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 84

Chapter 84

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The next day, Dad drove me to Blackwood Manor.

Dad told me Victoria suddenly said she wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t attend tonight’s dinner. She and Daisy would both stay home. But I know the real reason- Victoria is still upset about our confrontation and doesn’t want to face me.

Caelan stood waiting at the entrance, his tall frame outlined against the warm light spilling from the doorway. When his eyes found mine, that familiar warmth spread through his gaze.

He approached Dad’s car as we parked, opening my door before I could reach for the handle.

“Rodrigo. He shook hands with my father, then turned to me. “Sabi.”

Marcus and Katherine Blackwood – Caelan’s father and mother appeared in the doorway, their smiles genuine and welcoming. Katherine hurried down the steps, her arms already extended.

“Sable, darling!” She embraced me warmly. “You look absolutely radiant.”

Marcus gripped Dad’s hand firmly. “Rodrigo, it’s been too long.”

But my attention was caught by the figure hovering behind them. Blair stood slightly to the side, her posture rigid and unnatural. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and she looked like she’d rather be anywhere else.

Blair looks like she was forced to attend this dinner.

I met her cold stare briefly, remembering those desperate messages she’d sent to Caelan. Despite my relationship with him being secure, I still felt wary around her.

“Come in, come in,” Katherine urged, ushering us through the foyer. “Dinner is almost ready.”

The long mahogany table was set with fine china and silver, but what struck me most was the food. Every dish was something I loved.

After dinner, we moved to the living room for coffee and dessert. The atmosphere had lightened somewhat, both sets of parents discussing wedding traditions and ceremony logistics.

I was starting to think we might get through the rest of the evening without incident when Caelan suddenly stood up.

Before we go any further,” he said, his voice cutting through the conversation, there’s something that needs to be addressed.”

All eyes turned to him. Blau went very still.

“Whair His time was said, authoritative. Come here and apologize to Sable.

Silence, Marcus and Katherine inaked stunned. Dad frooned in confusion

Blair’s face we whales anew She sat frasen in her chair

An understand. Katherine se slowly

Carians gar never left Big Bend up bu

The command in his voice was unmistabaide Big busty raped between catch se naing ndomatically from her seat.

‘Carlan, Marcus started, what’s this along?

“Blair knows exactly what this is about Carles’s deadly wit vil them what happened the day when you full off the hur

Blair’s hands trembled at her sides there was an accide→→

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Chapter 84

Tell them the truth All of it. If you leave out a single detail, 111 tell the story myself.

Dad leaned forward Chelan, why are you asking flair to apologize to my daughter? Did the hurt Sahler

I touched Dad’s arm gently Let’s hear what she has to say first

Blair looked around the room desperately, seeking support that wasn’t coming. When her eyes met Katherine, the found only expectant silence.

Katherine sighed Blair, tell in what happened If it was truly a misunderstanding. I’m sure Sable will forgive you

Under the weight of everyone’s stares and Caelan’s implacable authority, Blair finally began to speak.

“That day, she started, her voice barely above a whisper, I asked Sable to teach me to ride…

Her voice grew stronger as she continued, but she was careful to paint herself as the victim.

“The horse suddenly went crazy and threw me off… Tears started flowing down her cheeks. I thought… I thought maybe Sable had done something to make it panic, but later I heard there was a wound on the horse’s back, and maybe I accidentally scratched it or something.”

She turned to me with tear-filled eyes. “I’m sorry, Sable. I was wrong to suspect you. I shouldn’t have had such evil thoughts. Can you forgive me?

Katherine shook her head disapprovingly. “Blair, I’m very disappointed in you. How could you accuse someone without proof?”

Marcus frowned deeply. “Why didn’t you simply take proper riding lessons instead of creating this situation?”

But Caelan wasn’t satisfied with her sanitized version.

“That’s not what you said at the time,” he said coldly. “You specifically told me that Sable kicked the horse, causing it to go berserk. Why aren’t you mentioning that now?”

Blair’s composure cracked further. “L… I was confused and in pain-

“So you lied then, or you’re lying now? Caelan’s voice cut like a blade. “Which is it?”

He turned to his parents, his expression hard. “How exactly did you two raise her? To become such a practiced liar?”

“Caelan!” Katherine gasped.

Dad’s voice rose with protective anger. “My daughter has been kind and honest since childhood. She wouldn’t hurt a fly-she once brought home an injured bird to nurse it back to health. She would never harm anyone without cause.”

Hearing Dad defend me so fiercely without hesitation brought tears to my eyes. No matter what misunderstandings we had, his faith in me never wavered

I met Blairs gaze directly, my voice firm but not cruel. ‘Blair, if you really want a fresh start, then please be honest with yourself. Stop the lies and stop pretending. That’s the only way forward

instead of accepting responsibility, Blair tried to deflect again She bowed deeply but continued to insist it had all been a misunderstanding, that she never

meant to frame the

Caelen had heard enough

“Mom, Dad,” he said with finality. I’m sending Blau to the psychological treatment center in the western territory Considering her mother saved my life, I won’t revoke her pack membership, but she needs professional help Sheet return to Blackwood until a doctor certifies she’s fully recovered.”

The announcement hit like a bomb Blair let out a strangled sty

‘No! Caelan, you can’t do this! I won’t go!”

“This is not a discussion. It’s a decision.”

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Chapter 84

Katherine stepped forward, clearly torn Chelan, Klair has been with we there she was a child perhaps we could give her another chance

Caelan’s expression grew even colder Moth, do you brine why I’m ahventurely certain the needs no leaves

He paused, letting the tension build

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“Because Blair’s feelings for me horse crossed the line from sisterly affection into something inappropriate. She chested with her adoptive brother Des you really want to beep her here and rick a scandal?

The words dropped into the room like stones into still water, creating ripples of shock.

Katherine’s hand new to her throat Marcus’s face went ashen with disgust.

Carlan looked directly at Blair, his voice ruthless. “Blair, stop deluding yourself. I will never be interested in you. Ever.”

“Caelan….you… Blair could barely form words.

I never expected that just because I once told Coelan about Blair’s infatuation, he would expose her so brutally in front of the entire family and exile her

Katherine’s voice shook. “Blair, is what Caelan says true? Do you really have such shameful feelings for your adoptive brother?”

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From Substitute To Queen