A Substitute
Nevertheless, Solomon did not question Ichika and simply let her do what she wanted.
That day, Ichika did not go to Frontier Bay.
No one suspected the reason she gave, except one particular person, who felt that something was
amiss.
“So, you married him because you’re a stand-in for someone else, huh?” the woman sneered over the
phone.
Upon hearing her vicious remark, all the color drained out of Ichika’s face. “No, I’m not!”
“Really? Then why did you call Mom last night? You must have upset Mom because you spied on
Sasha. Stop acting, Ichika. You knew what it was all about since the day you realized that woman
looked like Grandma,” Himari Minamoto continued to scoff.
Himari could not help it. She was utterly jealous of Ichika’s grand wedding in Terrandya.
We both come from the Minamoto family, but how come she got to enjoy such a privilege? Deep in
Himari’s heart, she knew her wedding would never be as grand as Ichika’s, no matter who she would
end up marrying.
There was intense hatred in Himari’s eyes as she spat, “Why? Did I say anything wrong? You two have
not consummated your marriage, haven’t you?”
“Excuse me?” Ichika’s face became even more pallid.
That sarcastic remark caused Ichika to suffer an emotional breakdown.
In a daze, she accidentally cut her finger while slicing the vegetables. “Ouch!”
Blood started dripping off of her dainty fingers, and everyone around her was shocked.
“Oh dear, Ichika. How could you be so careless? We’re in a cooking class, so you have to stay
focused.” The teacher went over to check her out.
At this point, Ichika was already crying profusely.
She could not remember what happened after the class. By the time she regained her composure, she
was already standing outside of Hayes Corporation, looking up at the building with a dazed look on her
face.
Upon noticing Ichika at the entrance, the security walked up to her and greeted, “Don’t you want to
come in, Mrs. George? Mr. George is in the office now.”
The moment Ichika heard that, she started to freak out. She left in haste as if someone had found out
about her wrongdoing.
At about four in the afternoon, Sasha texted in the group chat: Ichika, why didn’t you pick Vivi up
today? She has been asking for you.
Solomon replied instead: She attended a cooking class today.
He replied swiftly, not because of Sasha but merely because he had his phone with him when he read
the text.
Sasha replied: Oh, Okay. I’ll tell Vivi then. I’m sure she did this for you. You’ve married a virtuous wife,
Solomon!
Sabrina texted: I know, right? I don’t even bother to attend any cooking classes.
Devin replied with a facepalm emoji.
Sasha texted: Well, at least my cooking skills are somewhat acceptable. Someone’s gotta do it for the
kids.
Sebastian did not know how to react to that remark.
The remarks by the two women had rendered their husbands speechless.
Mr. Wand wrote in the group: Ichika is indeed a great girl. Vivi’s classmate celebrated her birthday two
days ago, and Ichika took the trouble to learn how to bake a cake so that she could teach Vivi to make
one on her own.
Sasha: She’s so patient! I don’t think I can handle that.
She praised Ichika from the bottom of her heart.
Solomon kept mum and did not reply, but his expression softened after putting down his phone.
Solomon did not return home in the evening as he had an appointment, but he still texted Ichika: I won’t
be going back for dinner.
Ichika froze for a bit upon receiving his message. She could not help but take a glance at all the
ingredients she had laid on the table.
Her heart sank, and she became disheartened.
Why is he not coming back for dinner? Where is he going?
Is he upset because I didn’t spend time with the two kids in Frontier Bay?
Her eyes were filled with despair.
She took a glance at her bandaged finger and did not want to cook anymore. After cleaning up the
kitchen, she returned to her room.
That night, the woman who relocated to a foreign country after marriage and did not have any friends
spent through it in agony.
The next day, a sound emerged from downstairs even when the villa’s gate was still locked. “Hello?
Aunt Ichika? Are you still sleeping? I’m here with Jessica!”
“Vivi?”
Ichika woke up and opened her eyes. Before she could respond, she could already hear Solomon
talking to Vivian.
In response to Solomon’s question, Vivian answered, “Yes, Uncle Solomon. I didn’t have a chance to
tell you since you were not around yesterday, but my friends and I would like to hold a ‘fashion show’
here. Is that okay?”
Vivian, who came with a group of friends, was all smiles when she lifted her head to look at Solomon
after he had opened the door.
Solomon froze for a moment.
Upon listening to their conversation, Ichika sat up from her bed.
Did he not go to Frontier Bay last night?
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