The Masterpiece of Leaving：Prepared A Perfect Stand-In For Him novel Chapter 22

Navier's expression was utterly cold. Nothing Lysander said or did could hurt her anymore.

Lysander's face twisted with discomfort, as if Aubrey had exposed his deepest thoughts.

Still, he doubled down. "That's absurd, Navier. I could never have feelings for you. My heart belongs to Ophelia, and it always will."

Before Navier could respond, Aubrey jumped in with devastating precision.

"Man, do you even hear yourself? You talk about loyalty, but you’ve been betraying her for years."

"A replacement? Betrayal. Marrying someone else? Betrayal. Pretending your little substitute was her? More betrayal. Proposing to that same substitute? The biggest betrayal of them all."

"You've failed Ophelia, Celeste and you've certainly failed Navier. You’re in no position to challenge me. At least I'm devoted to one person. I don't worship someone from the past or stubbornly deny my own feelings."

His words ripped away the tattered remnants of Lysander's self-deception.

Lysander stood there stunned, searching for a rebuttal but finding none.

Finally, his voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. "I... I didn't..."

Navier gazed at him with disappointment, tugging gently at Aubrey's hand.

"Let's go. I don’t want to waste any more time on him. If possible, I never want to see him again."

A seductive smile curled Aubrey's lips as he planted a kiss on the back of her hand. "As you wish, sweetheart."

In an instant, several armed bodyguards surrounded Lysander, blocking his path.

Navier walked away without a backward glance.

Sometimes, she wished Lysander had never developed feelings for her—or married for Celeste. If he had remained devoted solely to Ophelia's memory without hurting others, she might still have admired his constancy.

Now, she felt nothing but disappointment.

Aubrey wrapped his arm around her, clinging to her like an affectionate puppy, practically melding himself to her.