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SUBSTITUTE BRIDE, I WANT YOU BACK LILA  Novel Cover

SUBSTITUTE BRIDE, I WANT YOU BACK LILA

Forced into a marriage of convenience, Lila takes her sister's place as the bride of a powerful billionaire. What began as a deceptive arrangement soon sparks genuine desire, but secrets from the past threaten their fragile connection. As the truth behind the substitution emerges, Lila must navigate a world of wealth and betrayal. Can their bond survive the lies, or will the weight of her hidden identity destroy their chance at a real future together?
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Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO.

GET RID OF.

LILA.

"What?" Lily shrieked, getting away from Lucien immediately, whose eyes widened from shock.

"How come, sis?" He inquired with care and that did it. I burst into tears immediately. Clenching my fists, while trying to fight back the stinging agony of rejection I was feeling in my heart.

'Was this how little I mattered, could he not figure things out?'

Olivia immediately dashed to my side and began stroking my hair softly as she looked at me. I noticed her eyes glistened with tears as she whispered.

"It's alright. Let it all out". Her words twisted my heart, and I cried so much, startling everyone, including the doctor who was scratching his hair nervously.

"Why are you crying sis? I am so sorry. I didn't mean to up....". Lucien tried saying but my sister butt in.

"You did nothing Lucien. Perhaps the father of the child abandoned her or something".

To think she was right made my chest hurt more, as I tried to breathe. Everywhere was suddenly suffocating.

The father of my child did abandon me. For my sister.

"I think you should abort the child, Lila". Lily suggested and I turned around sharply to face her in awe.

'Was she insane?' I pondered. I should abort an innocent soul? I was about to speak up but Olivia beat me to it.

"Is your brain the size of a peanut?" Lily's jaw dropped, as she took a step back. She probably didn't expect Olivia to speak to her like that.

Yes, Those two never liked one another, but they each stayed on their side and respected the boundaries between themselves, but right now, Olivia was breaking that with glares so frightening, I could swear I saw Lily shudder.

"Hey, don't talk to her like that". Lucien snapped, moving towards Lily who had a sad pout. He wrapped his arms around her, and she clung tightly to his chest.

Seeing them together, in such a manner made me want to barge over to them and rip them apart. Anger coursing through my veins.

Lily's expression was twisted, and she looked like she wanted to cry, especially when she started trembling in Lucien's arms. I scoffed out loud, knowing all these were a facade.

She was always like that. So pretentious.

"Apologize". Lucien demanded, but Olivia just rolled her eyes at him before folding her arms across her chest with her head held high.

"You are rumored to be one of the smartest CEOs in the country, but right now, what I see is a dullard." Olivia insulted, and I let out a gasp, immediately trying to signal to her to stop.

Lucien was gobsmacked. So was Lily who threw a death stare at Olivia. Olivia caught it and then returned it without fear, her eyes holding Lily's till Lily couldn't take it anymore and looked downwards, losing.

I felt this sense of pride and wished I was just as bold.

"You had eye surgery to get rid of your blindness, but unfortunately, it was a waste of money because you still have no sight." Olivia spat out with bale, anger flashing in her eyes as she gritted her teeth together.

"You don't talk to my son-in-law that way, Olivia. I know you are my daughter's best friend, but it's best you also know your place". The voice echoed as someone walked into the ward.

I stiffened, going pale while Lily had on a smirk immediately. It was Mum, walking in elegantly with her bodyguard.

"Mother". I tried to greet her but then she stopped me with her hand.

"Shush it, Lila. How dare you watch an outsider bully your older sister?" She raged at me, her eyes holding no emotions as she looked at me from up to down like I was some sort of dirt.

"Mum! Enough. Lila has nothing to do with this". Lily tried defending me just to put on some show for Lucien to prove she was a good big sister.

"Oh! Cut it out, you pretentious bitch". Olivia snapped while scrunching up her nose at Lily in disgust.

"Thomas, please throw that nuisance out". Mum ordered, commanding her guard who did as told immediately.

The thin lines of my brows jumped in surprise and I immediately spoke up.

"No, stop," I screamed, but Thomas ignored me and dragged a struggling Olivia out, leaving just me, Lily, and Mum in the ward. The doctor had already left when Olivia began insulting Lucien.

"So what is the problem this time around? I wonder when you will ever stop being such a drama queen". Mum spat out with no regard for my feelings, pausing to check her newly manicured nails.

"Also, Why can't you learn to do things without making a fuss like Lily. She always comports herself". Mum added and I turned away to hide my tears.

It wasn't a thing of surprise anyway. I was always the imperfect fool, while Lily was the perfect one. It's obviously why Lucien is so smitten with her.

"Lila is pregnant, Mum," Lily announced, and I heard Mum draw in a sharp intake of breath as her bag fell to the floor.

"That was not part of the plan". She commented calmly and I could feel her piercing gaze on me.

My lips trembled as I pondered what I should do.

'Tell the truth'. My subconscious whispered and I decided to do so.

I summoned up the courage, raised my head, and turned to look at everyone.

"I would love to speak to Lucien alone". I pleaded and noticed Lily's face go as pale as a piece of white sheet.

"W-what?" She stuttered, tightening her grip on Lucien who furrowed his brows at me in confusion.

"Why?" He questioned, and I was about to answer when Mum caught in.

"Oh! Ignore her. She is being dramatic as usual". I knew Mum was on Lily's side. She didn't want Lucien to know the truth as well, and just the knowledge of that hurt so much.

Why was the whole world just against me, what did I do wrong?

"I am not being dramatic. I need to speak to him". I yelled, frustrated and startling everyone. Lily's eyes drew around the room consciously as she refused to let go of Lucien, who had already agreed to speak to me privately.

Finally, Both Lily, mum, and her guard were sent out.

"How can I help you sister-in-law?" Lucien inquired, standing a few feet away from me, his eyes not as friendly as they used to be.

"I have to tell you something". I began, feeling a lump in my throat and my heart racing.

"Oh! I know already". He said and I arched my brows at him.

"You know?" I repeated and he nodded. Immediately, happiness soared through my heart as I realized I wasn't alone. There was hope, he knew the truth.

"You have a crush on me. Always had. Lily told me, you even tried sabotaging our wedding by pretending to be her". He explained and I froze, a sense of panic flooding through me, as I covered my agape mouth with my hand.

"No, no, no". I tried shaking my head sideways, but he just tilted his head slightly, his half-lidded eyes scanning me with disinterest.

"Look! I just see you as my sister-in-law and nothing else. Whom I truly love is your sister, so please stop trying to ruin things between us". As he let out each word, I felt my entire body going numb, different emotions I couldn't place my fingers on flooding me.

"But the baby is yours". I blurted out before I could stop myself, only realizing what I had done after it was out.

His eyes darkened as he reared backward in shock, his Jaw tightening.

"What did you just say?" He demanded, his voice, not so pleasant to the hearing. Deep and frightening, resonating through the room.

I kept quiet, refusing to answer his question till he banged the table across my bed furiously.

"Answer me, Damn it!". He growled and I flinched, watching the lines across his forehead tightening.

"The baby is yours". I repeated silently and everywhere went quiet till he suddenly burst into laughter, baffling me.

'Why was he acting so scary?'

"I am serious. It was me you married instead of Lily. She ran away on your wedding day and I had to take her place". I explained, hoping he would believe me.

He stopped laughing and exhaled sharply through his nose, his face, a mask of indifference.

"Lily was right. You would truly go to any length to snatch me from her". He spat out with bale, eyeing me badly.

"I will overlook this and give you this final warning. Stay the hell away from me and my wife. Stop making up lies. It makes you look pathetic and worse of all, cheap". He said and turned around to leave afterward.

I sat there, frozen. His harsh words sank into me like a knife was trying to rip my heart out. My hands shook, and I found myself shaking and trying to hold back my tears.

I didn't want to cry. I wanted to stop looking pathetic but who was I kidding?

I buried my head into my pillow and shed my heart out.

The doctor told me afterward I could leave but should be careful. I walked around the hospital looking for Olivia when I bumped into Mum and Lily in a corner, discussing abruptly.

I grew suspicious and immediately hid before they could see me eavesdrop and when I listened in, I almost collapsed.

"We have to murder that bastard in her". Mother said.

'How could my mom utter such a statement?'

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