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After the Substitute Lover Left, the CEO Cried Novel Cover

After the Substitute Lover Left, the CEO Cried

Married as a mere substitute to billionaire Leo Hartford after his fight with a famous actress, I played the dutiful wife while his true love, Ivy, was away. But when she returns, Leo abandons everything to run to her side. Dismissed by the public as a temporary placeholder, I quietly sign the divorce papers. However, when I reappear with a new man who looks exactly like him, Leo’s cold demeanor shatters, leaving him red-eyed and demanding answers in this gripping modern romance novel.
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Chapter 1

The wealthiest man had a quarrel with the best actress, and in a fit of anger, he married me as her substitute.

Not even the distance across countries could sever the ties of their undying love.

When Ivy returned overnight, my husband, Leo Hartford, rushed to the airport to pick her up without delay.

Netizens said that true love could withstand the test of time, and I was merely a witness to their love story because the one not loved was the interloper.

I didn't argue but just continued to play the role of Leo's wife both in public and in private.

Later, I signed the divorce agreement and stood before him with a man who bore an uncanny resemblance to him.

He was furious, his eyes red as he demanded to know why.

I looked at the man's face on my phone video and said calmly, "Because someone resembles him more than you do. You were but a substitute too."

Everyone knew that Leo married me to make Ivy change her mind and come back to him.

Ivy was given a rare acting opportunity that required her to study abroad.

Leo was too proud to say anything to keep her but married me immediately—an Ivy lookalike.

I wore an ill-fitting wedding dress, marrying a man with I wealth but no love.

People said that Leo would immediately throw me away as long as Ivy wished it.

But for five years of marriage, we were like one of the most ordinary couples in the world.

He would prepare gifts for me with care on our anniversary and stay by my bedside all night when I was sick.

On nights of tenderness and intimacy, he asked me countless times, "Honey, will you always be by my side?"

We were like a couple just falling in love.

But on the day I prepared a table of dishes, waiting for him to come back for our anniversary, Ivy returned.

I waited for him all night, only to find Ivy trending on the Internet.

The day I learned Ivy was coming back, I was sipping coffee in Leo's office.

Leo's good friend Sam burst in and said, "Leo, Ivy is coming back tonight. Why are you still working overtime here?"

After speaking, he scratched his head, turned around, and stared at me blankly.

"I have something to do. I'm off."

Seeing me in the office, Sam fled hastily.

Leo, who was just working at his desk, got up and walked towards me.

"He's talking nonsense. Don't mind his words." He said, gently kissing my forehead.

Over the years, Leo's friends have always been pessimistic about our marriage.

In their hearts, Leo has always loved Ivy, and I, as a substitute, was just the result of his pique.

Seeing no change in my expression, Leo breathed a sigh of relief visibly.

"Let's go home for dinner tonight. I'll make your favorite dishes."

I said, but he didn't respond, just staring at the cloudy sky outside the window.

It wasn't until I repeated it that he seemed to hear me and turned around.

"Sure, of course I'll come back if you're cooking."

When I reached the door, I turned back and poked my head into the office.

"Honey, you won't run to pick up Ivy and stand me up, right?"

Since we got married, this was the first time Leo looked at me coldly, with a gloomy face.

"Don't mention her. Our life has nothing to do with others."

I stood there, somewhat stunned.

Perhaps realizing his tone was too harsh, Leo quickly made up for it.

"Sorry, I encountered a work issue. I'm sorry for taking it on you just now."

He put on a gentle smile, looking at me as if hoping for my understanding.

I smiled and nodded, but the smile disappeared the moment I turned around.

Leo was lying to me. How could he, with such a good memory, forget that I had just tidied up the papers on his desk?

All he had in front of him was a promotional poster released by the Hartford Group.

In the elevator, I took out my phone and looked at the hashtag "Ivy's Return".

The first thing I saw when I clicked in was an interview video of Ivy before boarding the plane.

"I hope that the first person I see when I get off the plane is the one I want to see the most. It was my capriciousness that made me miss him before. I don't know if I can still make up for him now."

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