Page 125 of The Substitute Fiancée

Be a present partner, not a man who apologizes for being absent.

Earn the only validation that truly matters: the woman I love.

Be worthy of Sam’s love.

RISKS

Losing myself.

Taking the other person’s love for granted.

Confusing protection with control.

Becoming toxic.

Being incapable of building a healthy relationship.

That’s it.

It’s not perfect. It’s not elegant.

But it’s a start.

I open my browser and type: therapists in Paris.

My finger hesitates. A voice whispers that I can handle this on my own. That asking for help would be an admission of weakness.

But am I willing to take that risk, with our future at stake?

No.

I click on the first link. Then on book an appointment.

I don’t know if Sam will ever forgive me. I don’t even know if I deserve it.

But I know one thing: this time, I won’t run.

41. Don’t Block Me

Samantha

I haven’t heard from Alexander in two weeks, since the day I appeared before the academic review committee. That night, I texted him to tell him my midyear evaluation had been approved. He replied that he’d never doubted it. Since then, nothing.

I should feel relieved, right? Nothing worse than an ex who clings on, refuses to let go, and turns a clean breakup into a long, drawn-out agony. His silence should feel like a relief.

And yet, part of me wishes he’d fought for me.

That he’d insisted.

That he’d proven I mattered—even briefly.

Instead, there’s nothing.

And that nothing hurts.

“Come on, Sam. Get dressed, we’re going out tonight,” Mara declares, bursting into my bedroom.

“We’re taking you to Sunset Sunside,” Emelyne adds. “There’s a live jazz show. You’ll love it.”