Losing to My Substitute (Katerina and Joshu)
Substitute 34

Chapter 5

Linda shut down her computer and returned to the bedroom.

Perhaps by deleting the confession program, she had erased the last remnants of her affection for him as well.

She wasn't particularly saddened and had a peaceful night's sleep.

The next morning.

Bright sunlight fell across her face as Linda awoke, only to find Ivan lying beside her.

She frowned and tried to get up quietly, but accidentally pulled back the covers, exposing the scratch marks on his back-stark and undeniable. Linda froze in place.

Beside her, Ivan suddenly stirred awake, instinctively turning over and wrapping his arms around her, pulling the blanket over her back.

In a hoarse, soothing voice, he murmured, "Linda, be good, don't catch a chill..."

Ever since Linda developed her blood disorder, her immune system had become weak, making her prone to colds. Over the years, Ivan had grown accustomed to covering her back to keep her warm. But now, his touch repulsed her.

Nausea surged through her, and Linda couldn't hold it in any longer. She pushed Ivan away and ran to the bathroom, dry heaving.

Her throat contracted painfully, and her stomach felt like it was twisting, as if she were about to

vomit bile.

After a long moment, she managed to catch her breath. From outside the bathroom, she heard hurried footsteps.

Looking back-

She saw Ivan standing barefoot, holding the divorce papers Linda had previously placed in the drawer, his hands trembling. "What is this? Are you planning to leave me?" Losing to My Substitute

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Linda took the papers back with a calm expression.

You misunderstood. My best friend is going through a divorce, and I was just helping her print a template."

Hearing this, Ivan visibly relaxed.

He took a step forward and embraced Linda tightly. "If you're worried about your friend, I can refer her to a top lawyer, Linda, I can't stand seeing something like this at home." When he couldn't see her face, Linda's eyes filled with mockery.

If he was so afraid of her leaving, why could he be so comfortable in Katherine's bed?

Ivan went back to being the attentive, considerate husband.

It seemed the divorce papers had frightened him, and he clung to Linda for several days, even holding her tightly as he slept.

Late at night, Ivan was sound asleep.

Linda opened her eyes, quietly got up, and turned on her tablet. She found an email from the

Denmark Sanatorium confirming her reservation and asking if she would arrive in two weeks. She confirmed her plan.

As she was about to close the tablet, the platform sent her a notification of Katherine's livestream.

She frowned and tried to swipe it away but accidentally clicked on it.

On-screen, Katherine was live-streaming The Gods, fighting a monster while viewers left comments.

"Streamer's performance is off today! Can't even beat a low-level boss after multiple tries. If you can't play, log off already!"

Seeing this comment, Katherine threw down her mouse, crouched on her gaming chair, and began

to cry.

Between sobs, she complained, "I'm sorry, my babies. I'm just so upset. My boyfriend's ex-colleague won't leave him alone. I haven't seen him for days..."

With those words, the tone of the chat completely changed.

"What ex-colleague? She's obviously just a mistress trying to break up your relationship!"

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Katherine, keep a close eye on your boyfriend! Watch out for that shameless woman trying to get pregnant and take over!" Watching these comments, Linda chuckled in disbelief.

She never expected Ivan's taste would stoop to choosing a woman who could twist the truth so

blatantly.

Looking at the man sleeping soundly beside her, her gaze turned cold, and her resolve to leave him only grew stronger.