The Stand-In Girl He Couldn’t Keep Chapter 01
After spending the night with Steven Warren, he said, “Make sure you don’t leave anything behind.”
“I don’t want Sophia getting the wrong idea.”
I asked quietly,
“If you love her that much, why aren’t you together?”
Steven put a cigarette between his lips and laughed.
“Because Sophia is different.”
“She’s too pure for this.”
Sophia Hardy had always been his exception.
A year ago, she pushed me down a flight of stairs.
I lost our baby.
I wanted to call the police.
Instead, Steven stroked my hair.
“Ellie. You wouldn’t want your mother’s medication to suddenly stop, would you?”
***
Since Steven told me not to leave anything behind, I dressed silently, got out of bed, and collected my things.
Suddenly, Steven’s powerful arms wrapped around my waist from behind, his warm breath brushing against my ear. “Why so quiet? You upset?”
I offered a faint smile and explained, “I’m not upset at all. I’m just focused on gathering my things.”
I was telling the truth.
We had just done the most intimate thing two people could do.
Right now, my body felt warm and heavy with exhaustion, my legs still weak, and my skin was covered in the marks he had left behind.
But seeing how much he cherished and loved Sophia, I felt no disappointment.
After all, I had already come to terms, a year ago, with just how differently he felt about Sophia and me.
Since that day, I had stopped expecting anything from him.
Steven tilted his head, studying my expression. When he was sure I really meant it, he brushed a kiss against my ear and said in an amused voice, “I knew you were always my good girl.
“Don’t worry, Ellie. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.”
To his credit, he never shortchanged me. Every single month, 30 thousand dollars was deposited right into my account on time. That money was more than enough to cover the medical bills for my mother, Claire Bouchard.
There was no reason to offend the man who supported me, so I turned around and wrapped my arms around him with a smile. “Thank you, Steve.”
He arched an eyebrow, teasing me playfully, “You were crying out ‘Daddy’ just a moment ago, and now it’s back to ‘Steve’?”
Memories of his wicked preferences in bed made me shift uncomfortably.
Fortunately, the doorbell rang right then, giving me the perfect chance to slip away. “My food delivery must be here; I’ll go grab it!”
But when I opened the door, it was Sophia standing there. She said with a radiant smile, “Hi Steve, surprise!”
The instant she realized it was me standing there, her smile vanished into thin air.
Before I could even react, a sharp slap stung my left cheek.
Sophia screamed in pure rage, “You slut! How dare you show your face at Steve’s place again? Why do you keep seducing men?”
Pain burned across my face. I stumbled backwards.
She raised her hand to strike me again, but Steven caught her by the wrist.
“Sophie,” Steven said, his voice low.
His tone was only mildly stern, and he didn’t say a word of reprimand.
Even so, Sophia’s eyes immediately filled with tears of grievance. “Steve, you’re scolding me because of her?”
Seeing her tears, Steven instantly dropped his harsh edge, pulling her tightly into his arms and comforting her softly, “Alright, don’t cry. I wasn’t scolding you. I was just worried you’d hurt your hand hitting her.”
That was how intensely he cared for Sophia.
Even when I was the one getting hurt, a few tears from her were all it took for Steven to give her everything.
If this had been a year ago when I was still deeply in love with Steven, this scene would have utterly shattered me.
But now, I only watched them indifferently.
Sophia refused to let it go, throwing a tantrum. “I don’t care, I hate her! Get her out of here!”
Steven gave in to her completely. “Alright, I’ll make her leave right now. Be a good girl and stop crying.”
With that, he shot a quick look in my direction.
Understanding his cue perfectly, I didn’t linger for a second. I grabbed my bag and walked out without looking back.