Substitute No More

Justin Davidson and Eva Walker, the long-lost heiress of the Walker family, fell in love. But Eva's adopted sister, Stella, drove a wedge between them.

Even after Stella’s death, Justin couldn’t let go of her.

He trampled Eva’s dignity, hurt her body, and forced her to wear Stella’s wedding dress and ring when he proposed.

Eva’s parents only had eyes for Stella, too.

To pressure Eva further, Justin even went so far as to hurt Eva's grandmother, the one who had raised her.

On the day of the wedding rehearsal, Eva finally decided to walk away.

However, when the truth came out, Justin dropped to his knees and begged her not to leave.

One week before the wedding, Justin took me all over Riverstone to complete the “100 Things Every Couple Must Do Together” list that my younger sister, Stella, had written before she passed away.

When we reached the final item on the list, Justin handed me Stella’s wedding dress and got down on one knee to propose.

“Eva, be careful putting this on. Don’t ruin it. It’s Stella’s dress, and you’ll be wearing it at our wedding too. You in this dress will help me fulfill my dream of marrying her.”

My mother, Sandra, stood nearby, wiping tears from her eyes. She pulled a small ring box from her coat and placed it in Justin’s hand.

“This was Stella’s. Let this be the ring you use to propose. It’ll be like you’re proposing to her, too.”

I stood there in that oversized dress, looking ridiculous.

Justin reached out to slip the ring onto my finger, not even asking me if I was willing.

I ripped off the veil and knocked the ring from his hand.

“I thought choosing me meant you were starting to let her go. I was wrong. I’m leaving.”

…

I always knew Justin hadn’t forgotten Stella.

After all, he still carried her photo with him and called her name in his sleep. However, I thought time would help him see me.

I was wrong.

“You’re being unreasonable, Eva! Stella never got the love she deserved. Can’t you let her feel it now?”

Justin’s brows furrowed, anger flashing in his eyes.

I held the veil in my hands, lips pressed tight. I didn’t want to give in.

Sandra walked over and gently patted my shoulder. The touch made me look up, thinking she might understand. However, her eyes were full of blame.

“Eva, you’re being unreasonable. Stella’s gone. You shouldn’t be fussing over this.”

Justin nodded and reached for my dress.

“Sandra’s right. You’ve had it easier than Stella ever did. You need to be punished. Take off her dress!”

I didn’t resist. I stood still like a puppet while Justin stripped the dress off me, leaving only the base layer.

Then he pushed me down onto the sand and looked at me with disgust.

“Don’t think looking pitiful will get you sympathy. Pick up the ring and give it to me!”

I picked the