Losing to My Substitute (Katerina and Joshu)
Substitute 40

Chapter

11

He clutched his head in agony, a pained cry escaping his throat.

It was as if he was transported back to the moment he woke up from that nightmare.

Linda stood under the tree, looking at him.

"...But if you betray me, I will leave you forever."

Forever. Leave you.

The nightmare, like a curse, echoed incessantly in his ears.

$

Denmark, Hospital

"Linda! You're out-how are you feeling?"

Rachel immediately rushed to support Linda as she walked out after her blood transfusion.

Seeing the concern in her best friend's eyes, Linda gave her a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I never expected you'd actually find someone with the same blood type as me who's also willing to donate." At her words, Rachel crossed her arms triumphantly and tilted her chin up.

"Of course! I'm the all-capable Rachel. If the only person in the world with your blood type was that cheating jerk, I'd start doubting if you two were secretly siblings."

At the mention of Ivan, Linda's gaze dimmed for a moment, but she quickly composed herself. Lifting her head again, she grasped Rachel's hand.

"Let's not talk about him. I'm feeling great now-how about showing me around?"

At this suggestion, Rachel immediately perked up, casting thoughts of Ivan aside without hesitation.

California, Villa

13.14

Losing to My Substitute

40.2%

Chapter 11

Ring-ring-ring-"

Ivan's phone rang incessantly, its shrill tone relentless.

He glanced at the name "Katherine" flashing on the screen but couldn't bring himself to answer. Gripping the phone tightly, he hesitated for a long time before finally pressing the accept button. "Hello?"

Unlike his deep and hoarse tone, Katherine's voice brimmed with barely concealed excitement. "Ivan, why haven't you come to see me and the baby for so many days? The baby says he misses his dad. The baby's mom misses his dad too."

Hearing Katherine's affectionate tone, Ivan's hand clenched around the phone. His throat tightened, and he couldn't utter a single word.

The other end of the line went silent for a long moment before a tentative voice called out, "Ivan?" Exhausted, Ivan pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath.

"I'm here. Things have been busy lately. I'll come see you when I have time."

But this answer didn't seem to satisfy Katherine.

$ Her tone took on a tinge of irritation as she held back her temper, unwilling to hang up. "Is it because

Linda's health is acting up again? Why doesn't she ever take care of herself properly? She's always making things harder for you."

Losin