The Replacement's Revenge - Chapter 2: Chapter 2

The realization that I was just someone else's replacement shattered me.
So everything he'd ever said or done was a lie. I was never special—just a placeholder for the woman Angus truly loved. Every ounce of affection I thought we shared? Nothing but my own pathetic delusion. In that moment, my world crumbled. Angus didn't even bother softening the blow. He wanted me to understand—get the hint and get out.
Even as I lay in that cold, sterile room, losing our baby, he stood outside, his words slicing through me like a scalpel.
I could hear his mocking tone as he spoke to Milo. "You like her, don't you? Take her. Want to bet how fast she'd jump at the chance?"
There was a time when if Milo so much as glanced my way, Angus would yank me into his arms, holding me possessively like a warning. Now? I was just something to be passed off like an unwanted gift.
I stared at the tiny, lifeless body they'd just taken from me. Swallowing the agony clawing up my throat, I reminded myself—just three more wishes. Then I could finally go home.
Among the spirit fae, debts had to be repaid. Angus had saved my life once, and I owed him a hundred acts of gratitude before I could return. Three years. Over a thousand days and nights by his side.
All those years of his so-called love, I'd had countless chances to remind him to make a wish. But I never did. Because I wanted to stay.
After the procedure, Milo set a cup of warm water in front of me.
"Thanks," I murmured, but my eyes were already locked on Angus.
He just smirked, turning to Milo. "Even after I made her lose a kid, she still won't leave with you."
I kept my voice steady. "Once I fulfill your last three wishes, I'm gone for good."
Angus waved me off as he walked away. "I'm done playing your little 'hundred wishes' game. Stop pretending like you're clinging to me out of some noble debt. No matter what you do, you'll never measure up to a single strand of Hailie's hair."
I didn't touch the water Milo brought. I was done owing anyone anything.
Instead, I went back to the Davidsons' estate.
The place was alive with music and laughter—Angus had thrown a massive party, our home packed with guests. The second I stepped inside, every head turned, eyes hungry, like they were waiting for a spectacle.
And then I saw her. My gaze cut through the crowd, zeroing in instantly.
Now I understood why Angus had begged me to say I loved him. Because he'd never really been looking at me. He'd only ever seen her reflected in my face.
Angus looked stunned when he spotted me. "What the hell are you doing here? Can't you take a hint and stop clinging to me like some pathetic leech?"
He must've forgotten—he was the one who'd begged me to come.
Just a week ago, he'd insisted on throwing me a birthday party. I'd told him I hated crowds.
But he wouldn't take no for an answer. "Then I'll make a wish," he'd said. "I wish for my Rose to attend the birthday party I planned for her. Will you grant me that?"
Now? The party had turned into a grand welcome for Hallie. And I was the uninvited guest.
I choked down the humiliation. "I'm here, just like you wished. Consider your ninety-sixth wish fulfilled."
Angus, desperate to prove I meant nothing to him in front of Hallie, acted like I was a stranger.
I'd done what I came for. So I turned to leave.
But Hallie's voice stopped me.
"I heard you've been taking care of Angus these past three years, Ms. Traverse. How… devoted of you." She sighed, all fake sympathy. "Oh, and while I was by the lake earlier, the ring Angus gave me slipped into the pool. Why don't you fetch it? It's worth $800,000. Consider it payment for your… services."
I wasn't playing her games. I kept walking.
Her voice sharpened, that sweet act slipping. "Oh, that's right—I almost forgot. Ms. Traverse just had an abortion, didn't she?" A pause. "Ah. So you can't swim. My mistake for overestimating you."