Substitute Bride: Utterly Pampered by Her Billionaire Husband-Chapter 1291: She Wants to Live Well!
Celeste Linden didn’t know whose substitute she was, nor did she know who the young master in the luxury car was. She wasn’t interested. She returned the large check and agreement to the butler and said, "Thank you for the generosity, but I can’t accept it. Don’t come looking for me again, or I’ll call the police."
After speaking, she walked away directly.
Celeste woke from distant memories, only now realizing that the young master in the luxury car was Ethan Barnes, who’d had his eye on her four or five years ago.
Because she refused to be his kept woman, he set up her father and sold her into the 1949 Club.
She endured much humiliation and beatings in 1949, even breaking her right leg—all at his behest. His sole purpose was to make her accept her fate.
Celeste found it all too ridiculous; everything was truly laughable.
"Celeste, don’t blame your father; it’s all Ethan’s fault!"
Celeste looked at Mr. Linden, "Ethan doesn’t deserve forgiveness, and neither do you."
As she spoke, Celeste rolled up her sleeve, revealing a deep and grotesque scar from wrist-cutting, "I’ve repaid your gratitude for raising me; I’ve already died once. The word ’father’—you don’t deserve it."
Celeste rose and left decisively.
...
Celeste wandered aimlessly down the street. For years, she had felt lost, not knowing what her purpose for living was.
The only thing she couldn’t bear to part with in this world was her brother, Miles Linden.
Whose substitute was she?
Suddenly, Celeste desperately wanted to know whose substitute she was and why she suffered.
That girl must be Ethan Barnes’ true love, right?
How laughable that someone like him would have someone he loves.
Celeste returned to the hospital, realizing someone was inside when she saw the light on.
Celeste’s heart trembled slightly, but this time she chose not to turn around or escape. Instead, she reached out and pushed open the ward door.
Sure enough, it was Ethan Barnes.
Ethan had arrived.
At that moment, Ethan was sitting on the hospital bed, lazily leaning against the headboard. He was chewing gum and casually flipping through her treasured Coco design book.
He looked up at her, a faint curve on his thin lips, "Back again?"
Celeste walked in and closed the ward door, "What are you here for?"
"Celeste, your coldness truly wounds me. Come here, or it’s not good if you wake your brother," Ethan gestured as if calling a puppy.
Celeste paused for a few seconds, then obediently walked over.
Ethan grabbed her small hand and pulled her to sit beside him, ordering, "Lean on my shoulder."
Stiffly, Celeste rested her head on his broad shoulder.
"That’s better. As long as you don’t cause trouble, everyone can have a good life."
"To the main point, I came tonight to inform you that I’ll be leaving here in half a month, going to Westria West. I’m taking you along—do you understand?"
Celeste gently closed and reopened her eyes, "Can I refuse?"
"No, Celeste, I’m here to inform you, not to negotiate. From now on, you have enough time to sort your past, like this design book. Let’s burn it."
Ethan snapped open a lighter and set the Coco design book on fire.
Celeste’s pupils contracted suddenly; her greatest passion was design. Countless times her fingertips had touched the texture patterns of this book she kept under her pillow—it was her only sanctuary.
But now, this haven was gone too.
"No!" Celeste reached out to snatch it.
Ethan raised his arm, then tossed the ashes to the ground.
"No! Give it back!" Celeste crouched to pick it up.
The design book burnt quickly; now only ashes remained. Crimson embers still flickered on them. Although Celeste would surely burn her hand reaching out, she didn’t care, frantically trying to gather them.
Watching her disregard everything, Ethan furrowed his brows slightly. Seeing she was about to burn herself, he grabbed her slender wrist, stopping her, "Celeste, you better start taking care of your body since I don’t want to sleep with a scarred woman!"
The design book was burnt. Celeste watched as the last ember died out, her white-framed eyes moistening.
At that moment, Ethan reached out and pinched her tiny face, pulling her down to sit on the ground while he crouched down from above, "Celeste, once you’re done sorting your past, you should also settle things with your brother. I’ve shielded him twice—three is too much. His life hangs by a thread thanks to my protection, got it?"
At this time, Celeste became calm. She had died once already; now, with her sanctuary destroyed, the extremity spawned an intense survival instinct. If fate was unjust, she would fight it to the end!
For her brother, she would bravely stand up and live once and for all!
She had no time for sadness; she must rid herself of this demon, Ethan Barnes! 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶
Celeste closed her eyes briefly, then opened them again. Her once pale and blank pupils now blazed with fire, as rich colors enlivened her entire being.
"I understand. Will you let go? You’re hurting me."
Her docility made Ethan raise an eyebrow. He slowly released her hand and said, "Hurting you is my fault. Apologizing to you, Celeste—I’ll stay with you tonight, okay?"
He declared he would stay tonight.
Celeste looked at the hospital bed, "It’s not big enough for you to sleep."
"No problem, just squeeze. I’ll take a shower first; wait for me in bed," Ethan kissed her cheek, then shed his jacket and entered the bathroom.
Celeste clenched her fists, wishing Ethan would die now, but she couldn’t. For her brother and herself, she could only suffer in silence.
He’d said he’d take her to some Westria West in half a month... she had that much time to think carefully...
Just then, Celeste noticed he’d left his clothes on the bed, and out of them fell a wallet. Ethan’s wallet.
Celeste thought for a moment, then opened the wallet, discovering a cherished photograph inside.
This old photo depicted two people: Ethan’s mother and a pure, beautiful girl.
The girl wore a white dress and resembled Celeste almost eighty percent.
