Using Me as a Substitute? Did You Know Your Best Friend Calls Me Wife?

"Yes, I want to marry her. So when you feigned your illness, you weren’t forcing my hand—you were making her think I had a legitimate reason to propose."

"And for the past three years, the reason I specifically moved you to a new nursing home instead of letting you live alone was also because of her."

"No wonder. I can’t stand Old Mrs. Ziegler, yet you insisted on putting me here. Were you so sure I’d cross paths with her and end up liking this girl?"

Donovan Preston asked curiously.

"Not exactly."

Adrian Preston hadn’t known things would turn out this way. He had simply hoped he could run into her a few more times.

He knew she was at this nursing home taking care of Chase Lockwood’s grandmother. Once he returned to his post, he could use the excuse of visiting his own grandfather more often, which would increase his chances of seeing her.

Even just one more glance would have been worth it.

"Then I don’t understand. If you’ve been scheming for so long to be with her, why did you get a divorce?"

In truth, Donovan Preston had known they were planning to divorce and had wanted to stop them.

If he had stepped in, Mia Kane might have relented out of respect for him and called off the divorce.

But Adrian Preston had told him not to interfere, so all he could do was worry helplessly. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Eventually, he’d given up on the whole mess. After all, Adrian was the one who would end up single, not him. It wasn’t his place to be more worried than the man himself.

But now, it seemed the boy had his own plans.

A shadow fell over Adrian Preston’s eyes.

It wasn’t what he wanted. But at the time, given Mia Kane’s mental state, she would have fallen into depression if she had remained bound by their marriage.

He was afraid she might do something drastic. Even though he knew Mia Kane wasn’t the type to make a scene or threaten to end her life, seeing her so unhappy made his own heart ache.

He still owed her a proper courtship, and he wanted to take things slow.

"Forget it. I won’t meddle in your affairs anymore. As long as you two are happy."

"Grandpa, I need you to keep pretending to be sick so she’ll come see you."

"You want me to create an opportunity for you, is that it? Alright, a little sacrifice from your grandpa is no big deal!"

Donovan Preston patted his chest, guaranteeing he would complete the mission.

"By the way, I’m very curious. Besides arranging for me to be here, what else have you done?"

Hearing this, Adrian Preston’s gaze grew unreadable.

’There’s quite a lot, actually. Like secretly helping the Kane Family’s business.’

’I even had a hand in Vivian Lynch and Chase Lockwood getting back together.’

’And Owen Sinclair going abroad.’

He knew his methods were despicable, but he had never considered himself an upright man. The only reasons he became a police officer were a deep-seated vendetta from his past and the guiding light that was Mia Kane.

Adrian Preston didn’t elaborate, but Donovan Preston knew his grandson was incredibly calculating, and his methods were not to be underestimated.

He had surely done many things that couldn’t see the light of day.

Since he wasn’t talking, Donovan didn’t feel it was right to press him.

The old man began his act, calling Mia Kane in the middle of the night.

"Mia... Mia..."

The old man muttered deliriously, sounding weak and as if his life was fading.

Mia Kane had been sleepy, but the sound of Grandpa’s voice snapped her awake.

She called his name several times, but Grandpa didn’t respond. Finally, a doctor took the phone.

"This is bad, the old gentleman is having an episode! Get ready!"

The phone was tossed aside; they didn’t seem to realize Donovan Preston had made the call.

"His condition is critical. Call President Preston, quickly."

"Prep the sterile room! Get the defibrillator! Hurry, we need to resuscitate..."

The other end of the line descended into chaos.

Mia Kane’s heart leaped into her throat. She quickly threw on some clothes, left the house, and drove to the nursing home.

Adrian Preston had arrived a little before her and was waiting outside the sterile room, his expression incredibly grim.

"How is he? How’s Grandpa?"

"Why are you here?" Adrian Preston asked, feigning ignorance.

"Grandpa must have been delirious from his illness. He called me in a daze. Is his condition stable now?"

Adrian Preston shook his head. "I don’t know what’s happening inside; they’re still trying to save him. But the doctor said his condition is critical. He might not..."

He didn’t finish the sentence.

Mia Kane swayed, nearly losing her footing.

She knew this day would come for Grandpa eventually, but she never expected it so soon. It hadn’t even been a year yet.

Grandpa had always looked out for her. Throughout her marriage to Adrian Preston, he had cherished her.

While outsiders gossiped about her, he had always been on her side, feeling for her.

He and Chase Lockwood’s grandmother, though not related to her by blood, had given her the care and love of a family.

"Adrian... is-is it because of me?"

Her voice trembled with self-blame. "Was it because we got divorced? Did that upset Grandpa? Is it my fault his illness acted up sooner than expected...?"

Even though it had been a long time, she couldn’t help but wonder if it was her responsibility.

Her eyes were red, her body was trembling, and she looked as if she might shatter at any moment.

She was shouldering a heavy burden of guilt.

Adrian Preston pulled her into his arms, gently stroking her head.

"This has nothing to do with you. Besides, that was a long time ago. It’s because of Grandpa’s own poor health. It’s no one’s fault."

"R-Really?"

Mia Kane’s voice was choked with sobs as tears fell.

Her hot tears dampened his shirt.

The two of them waited anxiously at the door for a long time. At last, the door to the sterile room opened, and a doctor, drenched in sweat, came out pushing the unconscious old man.

"How is he?"

They asked in unison.

"The old gentleman’s condition is very poor. You should spend as much time with him as you can. Perhaps there’s still a chance for a turnaround."

"External support is important, but the patient’s own will to live is crucial as well."

The words were a mix of hope and despair.

Perhaps Grandpa would get better, or perhaps he would simply pass away.

Mia Kane couldn’t sleep a wink after that. She stayed by his bedside, attending to him with all her heart.

Adrian Preston was completely unable to help, so he could only watch quietly from the side.

"Grandpa won’t be well for a few days. Will this interfere with you attending the Lynch family dinner?"

Mia Kane wasn’t the least bit surprised that he knew.

"I wasn’t planning on going. I already made it clear to Grandma. It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to attend her family dinner. I’ll give her a proper welcome meal later on."

She didn’t look at Adrian Preston, her gaze fixed on Grandpa.

Lying in bed and feigning illness, the old man understood a few things.

’No wonder he wanted me to pretend to be sick now. He was afraid Mia would go to the Lynch family dinner.’

’He wanted to trap Mia here so she couldn’t get away.’

’But this time, it was clear Adrian had miscalculated.’

Adrian Preston was a little surprised. "You refused? Didn’t you already agree to Chase Lockwood’s request?"

He knew Mia Kane wouldn’t go back to an old flame, but there was no guarantee Chase Lockwood wouldn’t try.

With Vivian Lynch unable to have children, Chase Lockwood would definitely look for another woman, and Adrian feared that in Chase’s eyes, no other woman could compare to Mia Kane.

He didn’t want to give Mia Kane any opportunity to be with Chase Lockwood.

He had to guard against any man who had designs on Mia Kane.

"I couldn’t be bothered to argue with him, so I agreed on the surface but then directly declined Grandma’s invitation later."

"You..." Adrian Preston pressed his lips together. "That’s unexpected."

Mia Kane was confused, not understanding what he meant.

’Was I supposed to stay entangled with Chase Lockwood?’

"Will you treat me the same way you treat Chase Lockwood?"