Losing to My Substitute (Katerina and Joshu)
Substitute 22

Chapter 22

All the facade she had been holding up crumbled in an instant.

His strong arms picked her up effortlessly and placed her on the bed, applying medicine to her.

"You don't have to be strong in front of me. If you're in pain, just say so. If you've suffered, you can tell me. I'll always stand by your side."

His usually indifferent voice was now completely gentle.

Katerina almost couldn't help but be immersed in it.

But she instinctively reminded herself not to let go.

"Forever?" she asked unconsciously.

"Yes." He gave a firm answer.

Suddenly feeling such tenderness, she instinctively pulled away.

"Katerina had heard many promises of "forever" before.

No one could guarantee forever-Ethan, Tony, Andrew hadn't done it, and neither had she.

What she could do was love them as much as she could before any rift appeared.

Joshua might have known her worries, so he took her hand and placed it over his heart.

worry, my family's rules are strict. Before you even see me change my heart, I might have already been beaten to death by the elders."

"My family hates people who are indecisive. Unless the other party's behavior is really out of line, they would never change their hearts."

His voice, resonating in his chest, was steady, but the calm heartbeat was particularly clear, proving

that he was speaking the truth.

Katerina was stunned. It was hard to imagine that there were still families with such strict codes in this day and age.

For a moment, she thought about the rushed start of their marriage.

Losing to My Substitute

She had waited in the civil affairs office from night until dawn, and then from dawn until nearly

sunset.

Her 22nd birthday, full of expectation, ended in such a lonely way.

The thought of marriage was something she had done out of a whim.

But it was Joshua who took the first step, putting his coat over her, his usually calm face showing a trace of barely perceptible nervousness, yet his voice remained indifferent:

"I've been observing you for a while. Can I ask, were you in a hurry to get married? Would you consider me?"

The sharp eyebrows and starry eyes suddenly appeared in front of her, lighting up the gray sky that had surrounded Katerina.

She wasn't sure where the courage came from, but she nodded at him.

"Yes, let's get married."

In the end, impulsively, she took Joshua's hand and walked into the marriage registration office, getting the marriage certificate just before the staff was about to leave for the day. That day felt like a fleeting dream, and even now, Katerina still couldn't believe it was real

She blankly asked:

"Joshua, if that day... it wasn't me, would you still have randomly found someone else to marry?"

"No." He answered without hesitation, his eyes filled with love.

"I told you that day, I've been watching you for a long time. I've been waiting for you to choose me to marry.

Upon hearing this, Katerina was stunned, unable to say anything for a long time.

Thump, thump, thump.

It was as if only their breathing and heartbeats were left in her ears, nothing else could be heard.

Joshua wasn't in a hurry; he gently and indulgently looked at her, not wanting to miss any of her reactions.

After a long time, she regained her voice:

Losing to My Substitute

But you know, I had no other choice but to choose you that day..."

he stumbled over her words, her voice dry.

"It doesn't matter, as long as you chose me In the end, that's enough.

Joshua tightly embraced Katerina, feeling her warmth and heartbeat. As long as she stayed by his side, that was enough.

In a corner where she couldn't see, his eyes were filled with obsessive satisfaction.

Luckily, he had still won her over.

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Katerina didn't believe in love at first sight, nor did she believe Joshua was someone who would fall

in love at first sight.

She was determined to get an answer.

"Josh, why did you wait for me to choose you? Love at first sight? I don't believe it."

Joshua sighed and slowly released her, carrying her into the study. He pressed a button, opening a

hidden room.

Inside, there were many pictures of Katerina, mostly candid shots.

They were like accidental snapshots taken in various places, such as street corners, tree-lined roads, award stages, etc.