Book 3 I’m Just a Substitute
For My Husband’s Lover
Suddenly, a stranger added me, and the verification message read, “Your husband has always loved me; you’re just a substitute for me.”
I thought it was some kind of prank, but for reasons I couldn’t explain, I clicked to accept the request.
Once I did, I saw her provocative words appear on the screen.
“I’m back. It’s time for you, the substitute, to step aside.”
I stared at the message, dumbfounded. My husband loved me with all his heart–how could I possibly be a substitute for anyone?
Book 3 I’m Just a Substitute For My
+ 5 Points
As message after message poured in, I found myself losing the courage to open them.
The chat window was filled with flirtatious exchanges between my husband, Frank, and an unknown woman. The dates on the messages showed a pattern–one day after another, never interrupted.
Nervously, I typed out, “Who are you?” and waited, anxiously staring at my phone for her response.
“Joanna,” she replied with just a name. I scanned my memory but couldn’t recall anyone by that name. Frank had never mentioned it, and there were no hints in his phone.
As I tried to recall, Joanna sent another
2/7
Book 3 I’m Just a Substitute For My … + 5 Points
message.
“Isn’t your couple’s ring engraved with Anna & Frank?” Before I could respond, another message arrived.
“Anna is my nickname.”
“No, that’s the name Frank and I share,” I quickly explained.
“Heh, that’s what he told you. He has deceived you.”
Reading her words, I could almost picture the smirk on her face.
Doubt started to creep in.
“Anna, what are you thinking so deeply about? I called you a few times and you didn’t hear me.” Frank’s gentle voice pulled
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Book 3 I’m Just a Substitute For My …
+5 Points
me back to reality.
I snapped out of my thoughts and looked at him–he was right there, looking at me with nothing but love in his eyes. How could I possibly be a substitute?
“I wasn’t thinking about anything. Just spaced out.”
“You, you’re like a little child,” he teased. “You must be hungry. I’ll make us something to eat!” He smiled affectionately before leaning in to kiss me.
Since marrying Frank, he had mostly been the one to cook. He said he enjoyed cooking for his loved one, and when he saw me finish every bite of the meals he made, it would fill him with immense satisfaction.
Watching the man who made me food with
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Book 3 I’m Just a Substitute For My..
+5 Points
such care, I knew he could never lie to me.
“Honey, you said our names are engraved on the rings, right?” I couldn’t help but ask.
“Of course they are,” he smiled.
“Does Anna really mean me?”
“Of co
it’s you. These are our couple rings, after all.” Frank said, looking at me with a mix of affection and a hint of amusement.
I slapped my forehead, suddenly realizing, “Silly me.””
Turning around, I quickly erased the smile from my face and went back to reading the messages from Joanna.
Even though I didn’t reply, she continued to send message after message, undeterred.
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Book 3 I’m Just a Substitute For My…
+ 5 Points
Then, a list of preferences caught my eye.
As I read through the familiar items, a cold feeling spread through me. Everything on it was Joanna’s preferences.
“Anna, stop playing around and wash your hands. Dinner’s ready!” Just as I was getting lost in my thoughts, Frank called me to the table.
The familiar dishes on the table made my heart sink–stir–fried pork with carrots and black fungus, potato stew with beef, curry chicken, and a mushroom soup.
These were all dishes from Joanna’s list.
I never used to eat carrots, but I loved black fungus. Frank always cooked the two together and insisted I eat the carrots,
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Book 3 I’m Just a Substitute For My –
+ 5 Points
saying they were good for my eyesight. Slowly, under his gentle persuasion, I had come to accept the carrots.
Potatoes and curry were things I only started eating after marrying Frank. I didn’t like them at first, but he cooked them every day, and eventually, I got used to it.
He would always use the excuse that I couldn’t be picky with food and needed a balanced diet to get me to eat.
The dishes I used to say I loved, however, were rarely made. Only when I cooked for myself did I get them.
At first, I tried to convince myself it wasn’t a big deal, but now, as the truth became clearer and clearer, I started doubting his love for me.
