The Replacement's Revenge - Chapter 8: Chapter 8

From where I stood, I caught sight of Angus at the edge of my vision, his forehead veins bulging with barely contained rage.
I'd never seen him this furious before.
Was it because Hallie had fallen into the water? How touching—his devotion to her knew no bounds.
Angus closed the distance between us in three long strides, his fingers digging into my arm as he yanked me against him. With that same possessive arrogance I knew too well, he tried to crush his lips to mine—only for me to slap him hard across the face.
"I have a fiancé now," I hissed. "Have some self-respect."
He froze, staring at me with an expression eerily similar to the one I'd worn when I first read his message—the one demanding I take Hallie's place.
"Don't be mad," he said, his voice softening in that manipulative way of his. "I admit I was harsh earlier. But Hallie's pregnant. I had to put on a show for her."
His fingers tightened around my wrist. "You used to listen to me. You were even willing to take the fall for her. How could you just stop loving me like that?"
Even now, he still believed I was his to control.
Pathetic.
A slow, amused smile curled my lips. "Fine. I'll give you one chance. Go public—admit Hallie was the woman in that scandalous video, and I'll forgive you."
Just as I expected, his face twisted in disgust. "Ungrateful bitch," he spat before storming off, shame and frustration rolling off him in waves.
I'd already told him—I was done. Everything I'd ever done for him was nothing more than repaying a debt.
The engagement hall buzzed with guests, the air thick with champagne and whispered gossip. The man who should've been focused solely on his fiancée kept stealing glances in my direction.
Then, I picked up the microphone.
"Many of you have the wrong idea about me," I said, my voice steady. "Hallie and I look alike. When I was younger—naïve—I worked as her body double for Mr. Davidson. But I had no idea what I was signing up for."
I paused, letting my words sink in. "And that scandalous video? That wasn't me."
The massive screen behind me lit up, displaying damning chat logs—messages from Angus himself, ordering me to take Hallie's place.
Proof.
The room fell dead silent.
This was why I'd invited the press. Journalists surged forward, shoving microphones in Hallie's face.
"Ms. Palmer, can you confirm you were the woman in the video?"
"Did you participate willingly? Because, from the footage… you seemed to be enjoying yourself."
Hallie collapsed into Angus's arms, sobbing hysterically.
He pointed at Milo and me, his face contorted with rage. "You two traitors—scheming behind my back this whole time! Rose, you filthy whore!" His glare shifted to Milo. "No standards, huh? Taking my sloppy seconds?"
The next day, every headline in Astrait screamed the truth: Angus Davidson's precious fiancée was the woman from the leaked video.
In this world, no woman walked away from a scandal like that unscathed. The Davidsons' stocks plummeted—not that I cared.
Three more days.
Three more days, and I'd be gone—vanishing without a trace, leaving nothing of myself in this wretched world.
Angus didn't even understand his own fury. It wasn't about Hallie. It was the sight of Milo standing so close to Rose—something about it made his blood boil in a way he couldn't control.
Behind him, Hallie stirred in bed, her fingers trailing up his chest.
"Our baby's gone," she whispered. "But don't blame Rose… We can always try again."
Only then did it hit him—they'd lost their child.
Strangely, he felt no urge to blame Alrose at all.