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Chapter 76
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The Substitute Bride Chapter 77
Van did not hear what Ash said after that. There was a ringing in her ears as everything else went silent, the ballroom melted away and there was just the two of them. "Hello, nice to meet you." He gave her that disarming smile of his and stretched his arm out for a shake. Of course Ash knew who he was it was his obligation but she doubts he knows their history. Van reluctantly took the hand he offered but he held on for longer than was necessary. His gaze locked and held hers and Van almost sobbed at how much she missed him. Van burst through the French doors of the hotel and let out a breath of relief when she found herself on the terrace. The atmosphere in the ball room was suffocating and Van swore she was going to die from all the attention people were giving to her after grandfather announced that she was his granddaughter and not all the whispers going around were compliment but that's okay because she'd never gone all out on impressing people anyway. And grand
The Substitute Bride Chapter 78
Van’s body stiffened at the sound of the voice she knew all too well. She'd hoped he would forget he ever saw her tonight or even notice that she'd slipped out but no such luck. Slowly, she pivoted around to take in his features in a custom made beige suit and his dishevelled hair. Jake Calloway looked just as jaw-dropping as she'd met him for the first time except he'd been wearing a white suit then. Van felt herself growing hot again as his dark gaze gave her body a once-over, slowly like a caress, she shivered in spite of herself and jake must've noticed that because he immediately shrugged off his jacket. Van began to protest but he ignored her. "Here." he said as he draped it on her shoulders. "Thank you " she turned away from him to watch the stars, they were radiant tonight. The silent stretched on but he remained where he was. "You've changed." he observed some time later. "In a good way...that is." he added quickly.Van shifted uneasily.
The Substitute Bride Chapter 79
Van went back to the party only to inform Ash that she wanted to go home. "Okay." Ash didn't argue. It was like he just knew something was off but she was grateful he didn't pry. "I'll take you home if you want." "No you can stay and enjoy the party I'll just ask the chauffeur to take me." He shook his head vehemently. "I'm not letting you go home alone, not in your delicate condition. Besides, it's a boring party with business associates I see and converse with everyday." Van knew she couldn't argue further. "Okay let's go." Ash shrugged out of his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. "So you don't catch a cold."Van smiled appreciatively. "Thanks." His gut twisted. What delicate situation were they talking about? Was Van gravely ill? Jake was in time to catch bits and pieces of their conversation. He was seething when Ash's hands went around her shoulders, it should be him doing all that for her, it should be his jacket around her
The Substitute Bride Chapter 80
Van shut the door to her bedroom behind her with a soft click and sighed, suddenly feeling bone tired. "Van." a familiar voice called out then a soft hand was reaching for her. Van found the switch beside the door and light flooded the room. Van found herself staring into the caring eyes of her best friend. "Rella, how..?" "I missed you." Rella said. "I wanted to see you, to see how you're doing." Van embraced her friend tightly and that's when the dam opened. Van wasn't the overly emotional type, she'd never cried so hard even when her father died. She clung unto her best friend for what seemed like hours until the sob became soft whimpers.It must be the baby Van thought miserably she read somewhere that being pregnant makes one emotional, irrational and irritable to say the least. She groaned when she realised she still has a few more months of this rollercoaster ride. "I met him tonight." She said quietly and Rella understood who she
The Substitute Bride Chapter 81
"Everything? " " Yes everything. I think it's time. I mean it's not fair to him, it's not fair to either of us. I have always known it's the right thing to do but I couldn't myself to tell him." She stared at her friend, her eyes shining with tears, her lips wobbling. " It would crush him." "I'm so sorry Rella I wish there was something I could do." "There's also the issue of my not being actually married to him. Van it's all just a lie. " " What? B.. but you were the one at the wedding, you signed the marriage certificate."Rella shook her head miserably. " It's not my name on the certificate A signature is useless." " How did you come to the conclusion that you two are not married for real? " "Christian. "Van's eyes went wide. " How does Christian know that did you tell him? " " No. It's a long story. " " Is he threatening you is that why you want to come clean to Stefan? " " No he knew for
The Substitute Bride Chapter 82
"He's grown up to be a decent young man like his father."If Van had to sit there at the dinner table for another minute as grandfather continued to praise Jake she knew she was going to lose her appetite or worse get sick. "If only Perla had listened to me she would've lived a better life and not have been miserable with that good for nothing."That was her father he was talking about, the man who loved her and Karl unconditionally something the old man didn't possess. Should Van mention to him that if her mom had married Jake’s dad then Jake would’ve ceased to exist but she was in no mood for an argument. "Can we talk about something else?"The name Jake Calloway is giving me indigestion she wanted to add but wisely left it out.Grandfather glared at her. "You know i've had it with your insolence for one day. I don't know what problem you have with that cultured young man but you need not be rude about it, I just might accept his proposal."Ash stiffened but not too
The Substitute Bride Chapter 83
Van told herself she wouldn't cry, that she wouldn't feel sorry for the things she had to do to survive and for turning out she way she did but her grandfather's words had cut deeper than she let herself believe which was why as soon as she slammed the door to her bedroom shut her eyes were already leaking. She furiously wiped her eyes but it was like a broken faucet. Damn him. He doesn't know what's like being her, he'd let her father die because he didn't like him, he should be the one feeling guilty for abandoning them and taking her mother from her, he should be doing penance instead, he was judging her condemning her until she was beginning to feel like everything he said about her was true. Damn Jake Calloway for coming into her life and wrecking it to a point where making amends seemed almost impossible.Her phone was ringing and she wiped her tears and reached for it on the night stand. "Hello?" "Van it's me." Jake was bouncing on hi
The Substitute Bride Chapter 84
" Baby? You mean… " his eyes fell on her flat tummy awe and he moved closer. "We.. I.. am going to be a father?" He laughed with mirth, the sound echoing across the park. "I can't believe this is real, I'm going to be a dad." He said incredulously his hand reaching for her stomach but stepped back. "This doesn't change anything Jake." The mirthful grin slipped from his face to be replaced by a frown of confusion. "What do you mean if course this changes everything." This is why she didn't want him to know about the baby just yet, he'd pressure her into coming back to him. "I am not having this conversation with you right now." "Why did you keep it from me I had the right to know?" He demanded. " Jake… " " I have the right to know I'm going to be a father. Were you ever going to tell me? "She scoffed." Of course I was going to tell you only when the time is right." " And when is that? " " I don't know! " She sna
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