The Substitute Who Stole His Heart

“Valencia Rowe… has someone wronged you?”

My brother’s voice carried a sharp note of worry, tinged with disbelief as he paused on the line. He must have sensed the tension in my tone, though I masked it with practiced indifference.

I forced a light laugh, though bitterness tightened around my throat like a vice. “No, I’m fine. I’ve just… come to a decision. If I’m getting married anyway, does it really matter to whom?”

“You’re certain?” His voice softened but remained insistent. “Valencia, if something’s troubling you, you can tell me. This sudden rush to marry—what changed? You never seemed so eager before.”

I hadn’t been eager. My heart had always belonged to Caleb. But after everything—the secrecy, the betrayal, the endless waiting—I knew I was nothing more than a placeholder now. A convenient substitute for someone else’s first choice. Living in that reality was unbearable.

“I told you,” I said, forcing a chuckle to cover the ache. “I’ve figured it out. And… I’m old enough now. Wait too long, and it may be too late for me to matter.”

“Don’t speak like that,” my brother scolded, his tone firm. “Anyway, I’ll have someone introduce you to the man arranged for you. Better to know him in person.”

“There’s no need,” I replied steadily, hiding the storm inside. “I trust Mom and Dad’s judgment. Even if it’s arranged, I’m sure the choice was made carefully.”

A quiet settled over the line. I heard his sigh, heavy with relief and lingering concern. My defiance years ago had unsettled the family, especially him. My return seemed to ease that worry, at least a little.

“I’m glad you’ve come to terms with it,” he said, voice softer now. “When will you return? Are you certain you don’t want to meet him before finalizing anything?”

“No,” I said sharply, practicality edging my tone. “The sooner we settle this, the sooner the family can move on. Prepare the ceremony. Let’s set it a month from now.”

“Understood,” he said, though his hesitation lingered. “By the way… do you still speak to Caleb? I heard Marina has returned. Maybe you should invite him—he might bring some… good fortune.”

His words froze me. So, he knew about Marina. No wonder Caleb had insisted on secrecy all these years.

I lowered my gaze, hiding the sharp sting in my chest. “Don’t bother him,” I muttered. “We’re… not close.”

At that moment, the soft click of the door unlocking reached my ears. I quickly ended the call, bracing myself.

When I looked up, Caleb was there. His smile was dazzling, his eyes alight with a brilliance that made my chest tighten. It wasn’t meant for me. It couldn’t be.

“Not close to who?” he asked, playful and curious.

“Not close to you,” I said bluntly, though my voice wavered under his gaze.

Caleb’s brow lifted. Before I could step back, he closed the distance and pulled me against him. Mischief danced in his grin, his breath warm against my ear.

“Really?” he murmured, low and teasing. “Then tell me… how exactly are we not close? Haven’t we shared enough to count, hmm?”

The intimacy that had once made my heart race now set it pounding with anxiety. I struggled gently in his hold, and then my eyes caught it—the faint smear of lipstick on his collar.

The burns on my wrist throbbed sharply, each pulse a reminder of betrayal I hadn’t healed from. Tears sprung unbidden, hot and unstoppable.

“Valencia… what happened?” Caleb’s voice shifted, panic replacing his usual confident lilt. He rolled up my sleeve, exposing the angry red marks on my skin.

Alarm flickered across his face. “When did this happen? How? Why didn’t you tell me?”

His concern seemed genuine, yet it only deepened the ache inside me. Had he truly forgotten the events at the banquet so easily?

I stayed silent, torn between shattering the mask of his affection with the truth or letting him continue pretending it was all normal.