Page 41 of The Substitute Fiancée

It’s like hearing Kristel all over again. My patience snaps.

“I’ve heard enough. Get out.”

My voice cuts through the air—cold, final.

Arthur understands he won’t get anything from me. He’s intelligent enough not to push further. Pushing me now would be dangerous.

“Very well,” he finally says. “But don’t make an irreversible mistake, Alexander.”

I hold the door open.

He takes his coat and leaves without looking back.

When the door closes, the apartment sinks into a heavy silence.

I stand there for a few seconds, then inhale deeply.

It’s time to put an end to all of this.

For good.

*

When I finish telling Sam about my conversation with Arthur, she stays still for a moment, as if trying to grasp the full weight of my words.

“I… I don’t understand,” she finally whispers. “How can he say that to you? How can he condone—encourage—behavior like that?”

Her voice trembles with anger and indignation.

And all the tension I’ve been carrying since the night before dissolves in an instant.

She’s not like them.

“I threw him out,” I say simply. “But I wanted you to know.”

I hesitate, then add more quietly,

“And if you decide this is too much… I’d understand. I’m only realizing now what all this could mean for you. Your relationship with them is already complicated. I’m afraid it might become even more so. So…”

My throat tightens. I want to give her a choice.

Sam slowly shakes her head and looks up at me.

There’s a strength in her gaze I’ve never seen before. A calm, resolute strength—almost luminous.

“Thank you for warning me,” she says softly. “And thank you for giving me the choice.”

A shadow crosses her eyes.

“But their reaction… only reinforces my determination. I refuse to condone blackmail or infidelity as a way of life. It’s a matter of personal values.”

She takes a deep breath.

“I know everything will explode once the announcement is public. I know it will be hard—but I won’t back down.”

She turns her head slightly, as if recalling something distant.

“You know… family isn’t just about blood.”