From Substitute To Queen novel Chapter 96

Chapter 96

After Dad left, the tears I’d been holding back finally came. They fell silently down my cheeks as I stared at Caelan’s unconscious form.

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Why was it so hard to be with someone you loved? 1 understood Dad’s concerns about my safety, I really did. But I’d finally healed from my broken relationship with Darrell. I’d found Caelan – someone who truly loved me, who would do anything for me. Even if there was danger ahead, I wanted to face it with him by my side.

Then a soft groan broke the silence.

My head snapped up. Caelan’s eyelids fluttered, then slowly opened. Those deep blue eyes found mine immediately.

“Sabi,” he whispered, his voice rough from the anesthesia. “You’re here.”

Relief crashed over me so hard I could barely breathe. “Caelan! You’re awake!”

His gaze focused on my face, taking in every detail. “You’ve been crying.”

I touched my cheek self-consciously, feeling the dried salt tracks. “I…”

“Sabi.” His voice was soft but urgent. “You’re crying. Did someone hurt you? Did someone make you feel bad?”

The concern in his voice, even when he was the one lying in a hospital bed, made my heart squeeze. “How are you feeling? Are you in pain?” I reached toward the call button. “I should get the doctor-

His hand tightened around mine, stopping me. “Don’t go.”

“But the doctor needs to know you’re awake. And your parents-

“I want to be alone with you first.”

1 settled back into my chair, but Caelan shook his head. He scooted over on the narrow hospital bed despite his obvious discomfort.

“Carlan, your stitches-”

I need you closer.”

I perched carefully on the edge of the bed. He immediately wrapped his arms around me, pulling me against his chest with surprising strength for someone whood just survived wolfsbane poisoning.

“Careful,” I whispered, trying not to put pressure on his bandaged chest. “Your wounds…”

He pressed his lips to the top of my head Having you here heals me faster than any medicine.”

I cited into his exlace, finally allowing myself to believe he was really okay. That I hadn’t lost him.

“Were you hurt?” he asked suddenly, his hands muring met my arous and back, checking for impuries. Dut those bastands touch you?”

I’m fine. I tilted my head up to meet his eyes. “Yote the swiped blade to the cheat, remember?”

His thumb traced along my cheekbone Don’t cry any but I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere

The tenderness in his voice almost started the teals again I was so scared. When you collapsed when the dusturs said the poison was spreading…”

“Hey.” He cupped my face in both hands. Im here. I’m okay we’re both okay

I nodded, trying to pull myself together

“What about Daisy? Was she hurt? Was she frightened?”

Chapter 96

“She wasn’t injured, but she was terrified. Victoria’s taking care of her. I hesitated. The doctors want to keep you here for at least a week. You need to rest and let your body recover fully.”

Caelan’s eyes gleamed with mischief despite his pale complexion. A week? I think 11l be completely healed by tomorrow.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Tomorrow? Caelan, you almost died. You can’t just

“Which means we can proceed with our engagement ceremony on schedule. No delays.

My stomach dropped. “Actually… about that…

His expression immediately sharpened. “What’s wrong?”

1 twisted my hands in my lap, not sure how to explain. “My father is… he’s really angry. He doesn’t want us to get married anymore.”

“Why not?

I quickly told him about Katherine’s harsh accusations and the heated argument that had erupted in the hospital room. His expression darkened as I spoke

I continued. “Edward came and reported that the attack was probably orchestrated by Lucian. And he was the one who helped Blair escape.”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. “Lucian?”

“Dad said if Daisy or I are ever in danger again because of our relationship, he’ll force us to break up. It looks like our engagement is indefinitely postponed.”

Caelan was quiet for a long moment, his expression growing darker. “Lucian is behind this?”

That’s what Edward suspects. The Rogues were probably working for him.”

11 investigate every detail of Lucian’s involvement. I’ll eliminate every threat. Then I’ll speak with your father personally.”

He looked directly into my eyes, his gaze intense and unwavering. I promise you, Sabi. No one will stop us from being together. Not Lucian, not family drama, not anyone.”

Then you need to get better first. I leaned down and hugged him carefully. “Get stronger so you can keep that promise.”

His arms tightened around me. “With you by my side, I’ll heal faster than anyone thinks possible.”

Carlan’s POV

A sharp knoch echoed through the sterile hospital room Marcus stepped through the doorway first. Katherine followed close behind,

Katherine moved past him, her gaze fixed entirely on me. She approached my bedside with the focused intensity of a laser beam, completely ignoring Sabiex presence in the chair beside me Her fingers reached out to check my forehead for fever

How are you booting? Assy pain? Hauses? The doctors said wolfaa poisoning can cause lasting effects –

Tas ir, Mom couple her hand gentis Much better now

Marco cleard his Blusel “We should probably thank babe The mutar tid shed her all night, hoing to hear even when the aurce suggestest

Katherine’s expressium dan suhen her ficked holy hard baby, hefur isturning to res

“Speaking of which I said, studying my mothers for torchilly was Blaye sala?

“Yes, thank God, Katherine replied. The reason pillet her shy take the box bugital tressesting the puny thing was asking about you constantly when she woke up this mung

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← From Substitute To Queen

completely ignoring Sable’s presence in the chair beside me. Her fingers reached out to check my forehead for fever.

“How are you feeling? Any pain? Nausea? The doctors said wolfsbane poisoning can cause lasting effects-

“I’m fine, Mom.” I caught her hand gently. “Much better now.”

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Marcus cleared his throat. “We should probably thank Sable. The nurse told us she stayed here all night, refusing to leave even when the nurses suggested she rest.”

Katherine’s expression didn’t soften. Her eyes flicked briefly toward Sable-a cold, dismissive glance-before returning to me.

“Speaking of which,” I said, studying my mother’s face carefully, “was Blair found? Is she safe?”

“Yes, thank God,” Katherine replied. “The rescue teams pulled her from the lake. She’s here in the hospital too, recovering. The poor thing was asking about you constantly when she woke up this morning.”

“The important thing is that you’re recovering,” Katherine continued. “I brought fresh clothes and your favorite books. Staying in this place must be dreadful.”

I looked at Sable, noting the dark circles under her eyes, the way her shoulders slumped with exhaustion. She’d spent the entire night in that uncomfortable chair, watching over me, and my mother was treating her like she didn’t exist.

“Sabi,” I said gently, “you look exhausted. You need to go home, shower, and get some real sleep.”