Filed to story: The CEO’s Wife Is a Secret Boss Novel (Allison & Jeremy) Free Online
Uri pressed on, “More than that, how absurd is it that he found a ridiculous substitute like you? Did he truly think that he was so deeply in love with Blake? Was it because his love for Blake was so unforgettable that he needed someone to ease his lovesickness?”
Substitute, substitute, substitute!
The word sliced through Julien’s suffocated heart like a sharp knife.
He had never dared to hope he would be the only one Jonah ever loved. But it would be enough for him to be Jonah’s last. He didn’t care about the past. Yet, what he couldn’t bear was that it was his face-so similar to Jonah’s ex-lover-that had drawn Jonah in and made him fall in love.
Uri laughed mockingly. “If I had the chance, I’d ask Judas if he was being fair to Blake by finding a new lover. I’d want to know if he was being fair to you by making you Blake’s substitute.”
His laughter was so hysterical that tears streamed down his face.
In an extremely sarcastic tone, he continued, “I doubt Jonah feels he made a mistake. He’s an arrogant, crazed, and heartless man, willing to do anything to get what he wants. Dr. Lovelace, Judas has been scheming against you for a long time.”
He had been scheming against him for a long time?
To hell with those schemes!
Julien staggered back. His moistened eyes became bloodshot. The look in his eyes dimmed as he sank heavily to his knees.
Seconds and minutes passed, and it was well past 8:00 pm.
For Jullen’s convenience, Jonah had purchased a four-story villa in a quiet, private area near the center of Solana City. This was their home and his small gift to Julien.
That night, Jonah went to buy two full bags of ingredients and a bottle of fine red wine. He then prepared dinner personally.
Even though it was his birthday, every dish he made was to Julien’s preference. He never considered himself Julien was all that mattered to him.
As he served the delectable dishes to the dining table, he was filled with bliss despite being covered in sweat.
He waited and waited, but Julien still had yet to come home. He knew Julien was a workaholic, often losing track of time when busy. But tonight was special; he had promised not to work late.
Jonah couldn’t help but feel worried. He pulled out his phone, wanting to call Julien, when his doorbell rang.
He walked to the entrance and opened the door, only to find Alyssa and Sean standing there, arms laden with cake and gifts.
“Jonah, happy birthday.”
A warm smile spread across Alyssa’s face. She was doing better mentally. Or, at the very least, she looked to be much better.
With a smile on his face, Sean gave Jonah his wishes too. “Happy birthday to you, Mr. Jonah!”
“Thank you. Come in and have a seat.”
Jonah felt warmth spread in his chest, but concern quickly followed. “Lyse, you’ve been discharged from the hospital so soon? Are you doing okay physically?”
“I’ve been fine for a while now. I’m Iron Woman! Jul is at home, isn’t he?”
Alyssa craned her neck and playfully peered into the house, her big, round eyes searching. “Don’t worry, Jonah. Sean and I are just here to drop off your gifts. We’ll leave right away. We won’t third-wheel you two. Time always flies when you’re having a good time. I get it…” “Julien isn’t home yet.”
“He’s not? But it’s already so late!”
“I was just about to call Julien. I’m not sure if he’s being held back at the hospital.”
Right at this moment, his phone rang.
Jonah looked down at the screen and saw that the call was from a number he didn’t recognize. He frowned. For some reason, his chest tightened too.
He swiped on his phone to answer the call, then held the phone to his ear. In a deep voice, he said, “Hello. Who’s calling?”
A man’s cold and macking voice came from the other end of the line.
“Happy birthday, Judas.”
The night was silent and cold, and a chilling breeze suddenly swept across Jonah’s face.
Judas.
That was a name he had not heard in ages. It echoed from a bloody, misty place far away, igniting a storm of turmoil in his chest. The voice that carried it felt vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t place it immediately.
“Who are you? Are you an ex-Cloudtop member?” Jonah turned away from Alyssa immediately and lowered his voice as much as he could.
“Jonah..” In an instant, Alyssa sensed something was wrong when she noticed the shift in his expression.
“Judas, high status really does make one forgetful, doesn’t it? Uri’s icy, sinister voice pierced through Jonah’s thoughts like a venomous snake. “It seems that the ever noble Judas has eyes only for Blake.”
“You’re.. Un Holland?”
An uncertainty clawed at Jonah, and a sharp pain shot through his heart. The night closed in around him like a crushing, mottled wall. Blake-his hidden ex-lover-haunted him still, a scar he dared not revisit. Panic surged within him, sensing something was amiss-Uri’s unexpected call and Julien’s tardiness.
A wave of dread washed over him as he feared the worst had happened.
Uri chuckled coldly. Judas, sorry to intrude on your romance with him.”
“You’re with Julien? What are you trying to do?” Jonah clenched his fists so tightly that his veins were bulging.
“I wanted Dr. Lovelace to see your true colors.” Uri’s laughter dripped with hatred. “Blake died unjustly because of you. I can’t bear to see such a nice man like Dr. Lovelace falling for your despicable lies again.
“After all, seeing Dr. Lovelace reminds me of my younger brother who died so tragically. I just couldn’t help but feel an urge to save him from the fiery pit.”
Jonah’s eyes became bloodshot. He snapped, “Un Holland! I know that you’ve hated me all these years. But just come at me if you have any grievances. Don’t hurt Julien!’
Uri clicked his tongue. “He’s just a substitute to you. You’re pretending your love for him is as deep as the sea. Don’t you think it’s ridiculous that you’re putting on such an act in front of me?
Jonah couldn’t bear to hear such cruel words. He roared, “No.. He’s not a substitute. He’s not!”
Alyssa and Sean were just at the door. Naturally, they heard his every word.
Sean was perplexed, but Alyssa, who knew about Jonah’s past, had a sudden realization. She felt a chill wash over her.
Uri stopped laughing and bellowed, “If he’s not a substitute, what was Blake to you then? You once said you would die with him. What’s going on now? Have you forgotten him now that you have a new lover? Your so-called ‘love’ is worthless! The biggest mistake Blake ever made was to fucking fall in love with you!”
“That’s enough!” A primal rage consumed Jonah, causing his body to shake uncontrollably as if a beast had been unleashed within him.
His bloodlust surged. “If you dare to call Julien a ‘substitute’ again, I will kill you!”
“Come and try. Since Blake’s death, every day has been unbearably dull.” With malice, he added, “Dr. Lovelace is at the villa in Solana City where you and Blake used to live. Hurry, Judas. I’m sure you’ll have an unforgettable 32nd birthday.”
With that, Uri ended the call.
Snow fell that night, bringing a sharp chill. Yet Jonah didn’t stop to grab a jacket. He dashed from the villa, leaped into his black sports car, and sped away from the courtyard in a flash. “Mr. Jonah!” Sean shouted, alarmed.
Alyssa’s heart sank. “Something might have happened to Jul. Let’s follow Jonah, quick!
Jonah ran through all the red lights, the engine’s roar shattering the night’s silence. He gripped the steering wheel, knuckles turning white as he frantically called Julien.
At first, his calls went through, but Julien’s phone was off by the third attempt.
“Julien… Julien… Don’t scare me!” Jonah gasped, cold sweat beading on his forehead, suffocating fear rising within him.
Every brutal image flashed through his mind, and he felt like he might crumble under the weight of it all.
Jonah could not bear to think about the void that would swallow him if he lost Julien. The skies could fall and crush him, turning his life into a hopeless wreck. Gasping for breath, Jonah raced into the villa, which was cold, dark, and silent.
Suddenly, memories he had buried deep surged back, overwhelming him. He gripped the hem of his shirt, struggling to steady his breathing while anguish clawed at him. Since Blake’s death, he had never returned to this place.
The man he loved had died when Jonah loved him most, and the depth of that devastation was unfathomable to anyone who had not experienced it themselves. But this was not the moment to drown in sorrow.
Jonah called out Julien’s name again and again as he searched every room in the house for him.
When he reached the second floor, he spotted lights flickering in the home theater. His heart raced as he burst inside.
‘Julien!
Julien sat alone on the couch, a dazed look in his eyes. Scattered around his feet were white roses. The video of Jonah and Blake’s intimate moments was still playing on the screen, but it was muted. Julien was staring straight at it. Slowly, his pale lips curled up into a smile. He was mocking himself. “Julien… don’t watch. Don’t watch that!”
Jonah couldn’t tum the screen off. He could only block Julien’s view by standing in front of him. “Un’s targeting me. Don’t let him get to you. Don’t believe what he said!”
