Chapter 2 By the window, Austin was sitting with Yvette. He leaned toward her, wiping the corner of her mouth with a napkin, his gaze soft, intimate, exactly like the way he used to look at me when we were crammed into that little apartment. My chest tightened. I turned to leave, but in my haste I bumped into a man. I immediately said sorry. He looked up. And just like that, the tenderness in his eyes turned to ice. He stood, striding toward me. "Are you following me now?" Before I could even breathe, he added, sharper this time, "I already told you about me and Yvette t was business. How long do you plan on making a fool of yourself?" opened my mouth, but Mrs. Livingston's voice from yesterday stabbed through me again: Hi: marriage with Yvette was arranged long ago. He likes her too. Marriage. Arranged. That was the truth I had once been too blind to see. Austin, don't be so harsh," Yvette said sweetly, standing to join him. "We met by chance. Wh don't we all sit together?" Before I could refuse, she hooked her hand through his arm and guided me toward their table. ound myself sitting across from his cold glare, the air around him pressing down on me like a hreat. What would you like, Miss Calloway?" Yvette slid the menu over with a smile. "The Spanis! ood here is excellent." stared at the page filled with Spanish words. "I'm not hungry." Then at least try the soup," she said kindly, signaling the waiter. A steaming bowl of seafoo soup was placed in front of me. "It's very fresh." The smell hit me, and my stomach twisted. I was allergic. One sip would send me to the ospital. Before I could say anything, Austin's phone rang. He stepped aside to take the call. (vette leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Go ahead, taste it. Food like this probabl costs more than your monthly salary back when you lived in that hole you called an apartment." froze, my fingers tightening on the napkin. She smiled, sipping her wine. "You don't actually think you belong here, do you? Women like you don't marry into families like his. If Austin hadn't lost his memory, you wouldn't even be allowe to shine his shoes, bitch." Heat burned my face but I lifted my chin anyway. "You can have-" "Oh!" She suddenly gasped and "accidentally" tipped the steaming soup over both our hands. Pain seared my skin. I flinched hard, biting back a cry. Even though I reborn, the scenes of me being abused publicly was still happening in different scenes. Austin returned at once, grabbing Yvette's wrist. "What happened?" Her voice trembled just enough to sound pitiful. "It's nothing… I was just startled. I suppose Dahlia didn't like seeing us together. It's understandable…" His eyes cut toward me, sharp as a blade. "How many times do I need to explain this? Why are you acting like this?" My burned hand throbbed, red welts already rising. "She did it herself-" "Enough!" his voice was like a gunshot. "I saw everything. When did you become so pathetic?" And then, holding Yvette close, he turned his back on me. She rested her head on his shoulder, but not before throwing me a victorious smile over his arm. I looked down at my blistered skin, throbbing with pain. I remember three years ago, I had burned myself cooking. He rushed out in the middle of the night to buy ointment. And now? He didn't even blink. I smiled bitterly and went home alone. The villa was dark and cold, just as it always was when Austin wasn't there. I pulled the first-aic In "CEO's Substitute Wife" by CrushReel, a gripping tale unfolds as a woman steps into her deceased twin's shoes to uncover the truth behind her sister's mysterious demise after marrying a billionaire. Pretending to be the billionaire's wife, she delves into a web of secrets, deception, and revenge in the high-stakes world of CEOs and office politics. Themes of love, betrayal, and family loyalty intertwine as the protagonist navigates the delicate balance between maintaining her charade and pursuing justice for her sister. The modern setting adds a layer of intrigue to this sweet romance, where hidden motives and unexpected revelations keep readers on the edge of their seats. This unique blend of romance, mystery, and suspense sets "CEO's Substitute Wife" apart, offering a fresh take on the classic billionaire trope with a compelling twist. Discover the secrets waiting to be unraveled in this ongoing saga that promises to captivate readers until the very end. Available to read online at CrushReel for those craving a captivating tale of love and intrigue.