Page 60 of The Substitute Fiancée

“Sam…” Alexander starts, apologetic.

“I’m fine,” I cut in as I stand. “I just need to clean up.”

I refuse to give her a scene.

Emelyne rises immediately.

“I’ll come with you.”

We head toward the restrooms, and I can feel the eyes of every diner in the restaurant on me. Perfect. Public humiliation, achieved.

Once inside, Emelyne helps me clean up the damage. We use paper towels and cold water to remove most of the stains.

“That bitch did it on purpose,” Emelyne growls, blotting my dress vigorously. “Did you see that smug little smile?”

“I know,” I say with a sigh.

“Her maturity astounds me,” Emelyne mutters. “How old is she again? Twelve?”

Despite everything, I can’t help smiling. Emelyne always knows how to lift my spirits and remind me I’m not alone.

We’re just finishing up when we suddenly hear voices outside—voices I recognize immediately. The restroom window must open onto a back courtyard or an alley, and apparently Alexander and Kristel stepped outside.

“So you two are already together,” Kristel snaps bitterly, her voice thick with reproach. “My so-called betrayal was awfully convenient. What did it take—two weeks before you jumped on her?”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Alexander replies, and I hear the fatigue and exasperation in his voice.

“You think I don’t know about your Friday afternoon outings?” Kristel spits. “You claim I cheated on you, when you’re the one cheating on me every time you go out with her!”

Alexander’s voice rises, cold and controlled:

“Don’t talk nonsense. We’ve been doing those outings for years. Long before you. If I’d wanted to be with her that way, I wouldn’t have waited for your permission. And in case you’ve forgotten, we originally did those outings with Andrew. After he moved to Lyon, Sam and I simply continued.”

He pauses, then continues.

“The fact that you’re trying to shift the blame onto me and reverse the roles is pathetic. You cheated on me, Kristel. You. Not me. I was faithful for three years. Three years in which I gave you the best of myself, tried to build something with you. And you reduced it all to ashes by sleeping with Grégoire.”

“Because you never looked at me the way you look at her!” she screams, consumed by rage. “I was just an acceptable choice—nothing more!”

A tense silence settles. The truth, raw and ugly.

Then, suddenly, Kristel’s tone changes completely. Her voice becomes softer, almost fragile. A performance shift.

“I know I made an unforgivable mistake, but it was just a one-time lapse. I love you. I was just jealous of the closeness you share with Sam. I felt invisible. And sometimes you do stupid things just to remind yourself you exist. We can get past this. If you really love me…”

20. Manipulations

Alexander

“I know I committed an unforgivable mistake, but it was just a one-time lapse,” Kristel murmurs, her voice vulnerable in the way she knows so well how to wield. “I love you. I was just jealous of the closeness you share with Sam. I felt invisible. And sometimes, you do stupid things just to remind yourself you exist. We can get past this. If you really love me…”

“Stop,” I cut her off sharply. “Enough. No emotional blackmail. You have no idea what I feel.”

“But I do,” she insists, stepping closer, reaching toward my chest. “I know you still love me too. I know you’re only seeing Sam to get back at me—I understand that. You can even sleep with her if you want, just so we’re even.”

I recoil, pushing her hand away.

“Stop. Stop right now.”