The Substitute's Contract: Seven Days to Reset My Life

Chapter 13

The hoarse voice on the phone was like a blunt knife, scraping ruthlessly against Sophia Sinclair and Luna Smith’s hearts. The voice was heavily distorted, yet every word struck like a dagger.

Sophia’s hand clenched abruptly. Memories flooded in, finally settling on that faded photograph—Ethan Smith embracing another woman and child, his gaze tender to the point of cruelty.

"Remember now?" Alexander Huxley’s voice dripped with madness. "That photo? He treasured it like a priceless relic."

Luna’s nails dug deep into her palms. She remembered the flicker of longing in her father’s eyes every time he looked at that picture. And how carefully he had guarded it, as if it were his most precious possession.

Alexander’s laughter crackled through the line. "I had an interesting dream these past few days."

"In it, there was a parallel world," he continued, his voice growing more frenzied. "One where you two didn’t exist—only Ethan and his real wife and child."

Sophia swayed on her feet.

"Know what’s most hilarious?" Alexander pressed on. "The devotion you thought was real? Just a task assigned by the system."

Luna jerked her head up. "You’re lying!"

"His wife was left in a medically induced coma after a car accident. The system sent him to play house with you for five years." Alexander enunciated each word slowly. "The mission requirement? Obey your every whim."

Sophia’s face drained of color. Suddenly, she recalled Ethan’s constant murmurs about a countdown. The day he vanished had been the final one.

"No… that’s impossible…" Luna’s tears spilled over. "Dad loved us—he really did!"

"Love?" Alexander sneered. "Then tell me—what did he ever give you besides blind obedience?"

Sophia’s heart plummeted. Over the past three years, she had scoured the entire city, yet found no trace of Ethan. How could a severely injured man vanish without a single clue?

"Because the system took him back," Alexander hissed like a venomous serpent. "He never belonged here in the first place."

Mad laughter echoed through the receiver. Luna collapsed to the floor, her vision blurred by tears. A sudden realization struck her—in all those five years, her father had never truly hugged her.

Sophia bit her lip until it bled. At last, she understood why Ethan’s gaze had always held that strange detachment beneath its warmth.

That tenderness had only ever been part of the mission.