Losing to My Substitute (Katerina and Joshu)
Substitute 54

Chapter 25

Rachel hauled a large bag of groceries onto the dining table and started organizing them into the fridge.

"It's because I saw that cheating bastard. If I bump into him, it's whatever. But if you run into him, that'd be bad luck. So I stocked up on food and supplies." Linda opened another bag and began helping her organize.

"It's fine. He might show up here sooner rather than later."

"What?" Rachel froze, her hands mid-motion, looking at Linda with an expression that screamed

disbelief.

"Why do you seem so nonchalant about this?"

"Don't tell me you're planning to reconcile with him?"

"If you reconcile with him, we're done. I'll pretend you don't exist!"

No, seriously, what about all the insults I've thrown at him? Would that make me just some idle loudmouth for nothing?"

Rachel's borderline frantic questioning made Linda burst into laughter.

"Relax. I'm not reconciling with him. The reason I'm so calm is because, when you messaged me

earlier, I suddenly realized that he doesn't matter to me at all anymore."

"We said it, didn't we? We're going to stay here in the nursing home and live our best lazy lives until we're 89."

"I won't go back on that promise."

Over the Next Few Days

Linda stayed focused on her work, prioritizing her new life above all else.

Rachel, on the other hand, hovered protectively, afraid that if she let her guard down, the cheating bastard would find his way to their door. Every so often, she'd grumble under her breath, "That Ivan... he'd be better off dead. Making people

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sp anxious,"

While sneaking glances at Linda, who was engrossed in her work, Rachel caught sight of the gleaming golden Poseidon card on the screen.

With a wistful sigh, she murmured, "My little merman is still the best."

But some people just have the uncanny ability to summon trouble by mentioning it. As Rachel was immersed in her game, lovingly progressing through the story with her digital merman, the landline phone rang.

It was Eva, the regional steward, calling.

"Ms. Rachel? A Mr. Martin says he's a friend of yours and would like to meet Ms. Taylor."

"What Mr. Martin? We don't know anyone named Martin. Tell him to leave."

Rachel's tone was curt, brimming with hostility.

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

Then, a deep, raspy voice in a Californian accent came through the receiver-

Rachel, it's me. I know Linda is with you. I just want to see her again. Please, let us meet."

Rachel bit her lip, and after a moment, she raised her voice, shouting into the phone, "We don't know you! Ms. Eva, please don't believe a word he says or let him in!"

With that, Rachel slammed the phone down, ending the call abruptly.