From Substitute To Queen

Chapter 151 Chapter 151 I stared at my phone for a long moment before dialing Rodrigo's number. "Rodrigo, it's me. Sable... is she with you?" "She's sleeping." Relief flooded through me, my shoulders sagging despite myself. I cleared my throat. "She... is she okay?" 88% Rodrigo's pause stretched too long. "Caelan, after you hung up on her, she cried for hours. I've never seen her like that-completely broken. It made me question whether I was right to encourage this separation." My eyes burned. I gripped the phone tighter.

"Rodrigo, I'm announcing the dissolution of our engagement tomorrow morning. But I need you to know-any negative press about Sable, I'll handle it. She won't be hurt by this." "Caelan, maybe you don't need to rush- "I need your cooperation. Tell Sable I changed my mind. That's all. Just say I didn't want her anymore." "There's something else." I forced myself to continue. "I'm arranging some... compensation." "Compensation?" "The oceanfront villa at Emerald Bay, plus a substantial cash settlement. Enough for her to live comfortably for the rest of her life." Rodrigo went quiet.

*But you can never tell her it came from me." My voice turned urgent. "Say it's inheritance from her mother, or make up any other story. Because if she knows it's from me-" "She'll refuse it," Rodrigo finished quietly. "She'll see it as charity. As guilt money." A bitter laugh escaped. "She'd rather starve than accept anything she thinks comes from pity." "Caelan, you don't owe her this. Even if you're ending things, you don't-" "But I do owe her." The admission tore from my throat. "Please accept this. It's the only way I can sleep at night." Silence stretched between us.

"There's one more thing." My voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "The most important thing." I'm listening." "The man who drove into that convenience store..." I stopped, the words sticking like broken glass. "You can never tell Sable it was my father." "Why not?" "Because I know her." Each word felt like a confession. "If she learns my father tried to kill her, she'll understand immediately why I'm ending things." O Q +x 1/3 +4 x+ M O < Fri, 22 Aug Chapter 151 The line went dead quiet except for Rodrigo's breathing. 'Caelan... you're sacrificing yourself." "This isn't sacrifice.

It's taking responsibility." "But Sable will hate you..." "Let her hate me. The words came out flat, final. "As long as she's safe, as long as she lives, she can hate me forever. I don't care." Rodrigo's heavy sigh carried through the speaker. "I understand. I'll do as you ask... but Caelan, protect yourself too." "Thank you for understanding." I ended the call. Darrell's POV I stood outside Sable's hospital room, white roses clutched in my hands. Rodrigo appeared in the doorway, his face immediately hardening when he saw me. "Darrell. Again?" His voice carried exhaustion and irritation.

"I told you already-Sable doesn't need your visits." "I just want to make sure she's all right, please." I kept my tone respectful, sincere. "Let me see her for one minute. I won't disturb her." Rodrigo shook his head. "No." Instead of leaving, I raised my voice slightly. "I know you can hear me, Sable. I'm the one who saved you that night." Movement came from inside the room, then Sable's voice, tired but clear: "Dad, let him in." Rodrigo hesitated, conflict playing across his features. After several seconds, he stepped aside. "Fine.

But I'll be right outside." I entered the room, immediately noting how pale she looked against the white sheets. The bandage around her head made her seem fragile, breakable. I placed the roses on her bedside table. "How are you feeling?" Sable half-sat against her pillows. "Thank you for saving me." Her voice held polite distance-nothing more. I looked around the empty room pointedly. "Where's Caelan? Didn't he come to see you?" She went silent. "I just thought..." I let the words trail off deliberately. "Never mind. It's not my business." "What?" Impatience crept into her tone.

"It's just that if I truly cared about someone, I'd be at the hospital immediately. Not..." 11:56 Fri, 22 Aug PM. From Substitute To Queen